FLL Challenge Event Selection: Registration Steps, Deadlines, and Regional Updates
Getting your FLL Challenge team ready for an event involves three parts: completing FIRST HQ season registration, paying your Texas qualifying event fee, and selecting or receiving placement at an event. Each part serves a different purpose, and your team needs to complete all three.
Event selection opens Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CT for teams in East, North, and Central Austin/Waco through the new FIRST Texas website platform at firsttx.org. Other regions will follow the timelines and processes outlined below.
This guide explains how registration and event selection fit together, what your team should do next, and which deadlines you need to meet to keep your event spot. Regional schedules are included below for planning.
This post covers FLL Challenge Founders Edition. FLL Explore and Future Edition will be covered in separate announcements to be shared later in October.
Three Steps to Get Your Team Ready for an Event
To attend an FLL Challenge qualifier, your team needs to register for the season, pay the Texas event fee, and secure a spot at an event. These are separate tasks, completed through different systems. This guide focuses on Step 3: Secure your event spot, also called event selection, and how these steps work together.
| Step | What your team needs to do | Where to do it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Register for the season | Pay your FIRST HQ season registration fee and complete coach requirements, student enrollment, and consent forms. | FIRST Dashboard: Follow our HQ Registration Checklist. |
| 2. Pay the Texas qualifying event fee | Pay the separate regional fee that covers participation in one qualifier. | FIRST Storefront, accessed through your Dashboard: Follow our Checkout Guide. West / El Paso follows UTEP’s local payment process. |
| 3. Secure your event spot | Choose a qualifier or receive an assignment through your region’s process. | FIRST Texas website or regional process: Review your region’s instructions below. |
Payment and placement are separate. Paying your registration or event fee does not reserve a spot at a qualifier. Event selection or assignment reserves your spot; meeting registration and payment deadlines keeps it.
You do not need to finish every step before starting the next. Follow your region’s event selection timeline while completing registration and arranging payment. The sections below explain when to select an event and when the remaining requirements are due.
Purchasing note: To buy the Texas qualifying event fee, your HQ season registration fee must already be purchased or included in the same cart. Coach and student requirements can still be in progress.
Your Next Step: Review Your Region’s Selection Process
How and when your team selects an event depends on its home region. Your home region is the FIRST Texas area your team belongs to based on its location. Teams must select a qualifier within that region.
Some regions will use the new FIRST Texas website for qualifier selection, while others will coordinate selection or assignments locally. The October 21 opening applies only to East, North, and Central Austin/Waco teams.
Not sure which region your team belongs to? Visit our FLL Regions page and use the interactive map to find your home region and regional contact information. If you still need help, email texasinfo@firstinspires.org with your team number and city.
| Region | Selection process and timing |
|---|---|
| East | Select a qualifier through firsttx.org beginning October 21 at 12:00 p.m. CT. |
| North | Select a qualifier through firsttx.org beginning October 21 at 12:00 p.m. CT. Check event-specific eligibility restrictions before choosing. |
| Central Austin/Waco | Select a qualifier through firsttx.org beginning October 21 at 12:00 p.m. CT. |
| Central San Antonio/Corpus Christi | Selection will open later. In late October, we will share the event schedule and instructions explaining when and how to select a qualifier. |
| South and Panhandle | Follow your Regional Program Administrator’s (RPA’s) instructions for local selection or assignment. These regions are not part of the October 21 website opening. |
| West / El Paso | Follow UTEP’s local instructions for event registration, selection, and payment. |
Additional Information for Central Teams
For FLL Challenge event selection, Central Austin/Waco and Central San Antonio/Corpus Christi are separate selection areas. Teams must follow the calendar and selection process for their own area.
San Antonio and Corpus Christi teams will not select events on October 21. Your area’s schedule is still being finalized, and events are not yet published. We expect most qualifiers to take place in mid-December or January.
In late October, we will provide area teams with the schedule, available locations, selection opening date, and instructions for choosing a qualifier.
While waiting, continue completing HQ registration requirements and arranging Texas qualifying event fee payment. Your next event selection step is to watch for the San Antonio/Corpus Christi update.
How to Select an Event
For East, North, and Central Austin/Waco, qualifier selection opens October 21 at 12:00 p.m. CT. Placement is first come, first served, subject to available space and event eligibility.
Before Selection Opens
- Review the calendar with your team and families. Check dates, locations, and event-specific restrictions on the FIRST Texas Events page. Identify your preferred qualifier and backup options within your home region.
- Sign in to the website ahead of time. Visit the website sign-in page and confirm that you can access your account and have everything you need to select an event. Allow time to resolve any issues before selection opens.
- Review your registration and payment requirements. Event selection reserves your spot, but you must also meet the HQ registration and Texas qualifying event fee deadlines to keep it.
- Review the help desk articles before selection opens. Visit the FIRST Texas Help Desk for step-by-step instructions on signing in, selecting an event, how waitlists work, and more. Sign in now to test your account access so there’s time to resolve any issues before you select your event.
Need help accessing the website or preparing for selection? Report issues through the website’s Help feature or email texasinfo@firstinspires.org. Include your team number and a description of the issue.
When Selection Opens
Sign in to the website and select an available qualifier within your home region. Check the date, location, and eligibility requirements before completing your selection.
If Your Preferred Event Is Full
Your team has two options:
| Option | What it means for your team |
|---|---|
| Select another qualifier with an available spot | Secure placement at that event, then meet the registration and payment deadlines to keep your spot. |
| Join the waitlist for your preferred qualifier | Wait for a spot to become available. Placement is not guaranteed. |
Your team may either hold a qualifier spot or join a waitlist, but cannot do both. You cannot reserve a spot at another qualifier while waiting for your preferred event.
If having a confirmed competition date is your priority, select an event with available space. Joining a waitlist means your team may not receive placement at that event.
Keep Your Spot: Registration and Payment Deadlines
Selecting an event reserves your team’s spot. To keep it, complete both HQ season registration and Texas qualifying event fee payment by the deadlines below.
| What to complete | When it is due | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST HQ season registration: National season fee, coach requirements, student enrollment, and consent forms. | November 15, 2026. If attending an event before November 15, complete all requirements before attending. | HQ Registration Checklist |
| Texas qualifying event fee: The separate fee for participation in your qualifier. | Two weeks before your event or December 15, 2026, whichever comes first. West / El Paso follows UTEP’s local deadlines. | Storefront Checkout Guide |
Find Your Texas Event Fee Deadline
| Your qualifier date | Payment deadline |
|---|---|
| December 5, 2026 | November 21, 2026 |
| December 12, 2026 | November 28, 2026 |
| Any January 2027 qualifier | December 15, 2026 |
Missed deadlines affect placement. Teams that do not meet the applicable registration and payment deadlines will have their spot released and offered to a waitlisted team. If you encounter a registration or payment issue, contact texasinfo@firstinspires.org before your deadline so we can review your situation.
Having Trouble Completing Registration or Payment?
Contact texasinfo@firstinspires.org before your deadline. Include your team number, region, event, payment status, and supporting documentation such as a PO request or customer support case number.
We understand that teams may be working through school purchasing approvals or registration system issues. Letting us know early helps us review your team's situation before spots are released.
Regional Schedules
Use the schedules below to review your team’s event options. November and December dates are in 2026; January and February dates are in 2027.
Schedules are current as of October 19, 2026. Visit the FIRST Texas Events page for the latest details and schedule updates. Use List view to see events that do not yet have a venue listed.
Select a qualifier within your home region. Scrimmages are practice opportunities, and Regional Championships are advancing events rather than initial qualifier choices.
East
Qualifier selection opens October 21 at 12:00 p.m. CT through firsttx.org.
| Date | Event | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 7 | The Woodlands Scrimmage | The Woodlands High School, The Woodlands | Scrimmage |
| December 5 | Stephen F. Austin State University Qualifier | Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches | Qualifier |
| December 19 | MCC Scrimmage | Multi Cultural Center, Webster | Scrimmage |
| January 9 | Tomball Qualifier | Tomball Junior High, Tomball | Qualifier |
| January 16 | Katy Qualifier | Morton Ranch Junior High, Katy | Qualifier |
| January 23 | Woodland Qualifier | SST The Woodland, Tomball | Qualifier |
| January 30 | San Jacinto Qualifier | San Jacinto College, Pasadena | Qualifier |
| February 6 | East Regional Championship | Friendswood | Advancing event |
View current event details on the Events page.
For regional announcements and team resources, visit the East Texas FLL regional page.
North
Qualifier selection opens October 21 at 12:00 p.m. CT through firsttx.org. The January 23 Adamson qualifier is for Dallas ISD teams only.
| Date | Event | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 5 | Academy HS Qualifier | Academy High School, Plano | Qualifier |
| December 5 | Cleburne HS Qualifier | Cleburne High School, Cleburne | Qualifier |
| December 5 | Nolan Catholic HS Qualifier | Nolan Catholic High School, Fort Worth | Qualifier |
| December 12 | Gilbert Intermediate School Qualifier | Gilbert Intermediate School, Stephenville | Qualifier |
| December 12 | Adamson HS Qualifier 1 | Adamson High School, Dallas | Qualifier |
| December 12 | McKinney Qualifier | McKinney; location TBD | Qualifier |
| January 9 | Norman JH Qualifier | Norman Junior High, Kaufman | Qualifier |
| January 9 | GPISD Qualifier | Grand Prairie ISD, Grand Prairie | See calendar for venue details. |
| January 9 | Renner MS Qualifier | Renner Middle School, Plano | Qualifier |
| January 16 | Adamson HS Qualifier 2 | Adamson High School, Dallas | Qualifier |
| January 16 | Allen STEM Center Qualifier | Allen ISD STEM Center, Allen | Qualifier |
| January 23 | UME Prep Qualifier | UME Prep, Dallas | Qualifier |
| January 23 | Adamson HS Qualifier 3 | Adamson High School, Dallas | Dallas ISD teams only. |
| February 13 | Adamson HS Regional Championship | Adamson High School, Dallas | Advancing event |
| February 20 | UME Prep Regional Championship | UME Prep, Dallas | Advancing event |
For regional announcements and team resources, visit the North Texas FLL Padlet.
View current event details on the Events page.
Central Austin/Waco
Qualifier selection opens October 21 at 12:00 p.m. CT through firsttx.org for Austin/Waco teams.
Below is our initial event schedule we are working on two more qualifier events in Austin to be released at a later date. We will update Austin/Waco teams once we have details finalized for the additional events.
| Date | Event | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 7 | RoboClash FLL Scrimmage | Scrimmage | |
| December 5 | Dripping Springs Qualifier | Dripping Springs High School, Dripping Springs | Qualifier |
| December 12 | Lockhart Qualifier | Lockhart | Qualifier |
| January 16 | Waco Harmony Qualifier | Waco | Qualifier |
| January 30 | Harmony Georgetown Qualifier | Georgetown | Qualifier |
| February 20 | Austin/Waco Regional Championship | Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Austin | Advancing event |
For regional announcements and team resources, visit the Central Austin/Waco FLL Padlet.
View current event details on the Events page.
Central San Antonio/Corpus Christi
The San Antonio/Corpus Christi schedule is still being finalized. Most qualifiers are expected to take place in mid-December or January.
We will share the schedule, selection opening date, and instructions with area teams in late October. San Antonio/Corpus Christi teams will not participate in the October 21 Austin/Waco selection opening.
South
Follow your Regional Program Administrator’s instructions for event selection or assignment. The October 21 website selection opening does not apply to South.
| Date | Event | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 16 | BL Gray Junior High Qualifier | BL Gray Junior High, Mission | Qualifier |
| January 30 | TAMIU Qualifier | Texas A&M International University, Laredo | Qualifier |
For regional announcements, selection instructions, and team resources, visit the South Texas FLL Padlet.
These are the South events currently listed. Check regional communications and the Events page for additional updates.
Panhandle
Follow your Regional Program Administrator’s instructions for event selection or assignment. The October 21 website selection opening does not apply to Panhandle.
| Date | Event | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 23 | Amarillo Qualifier | AmTech Career Academy, Amarillo | Qualifier |
| January 23 | Midland Qualifier 1 | Midland | Qualifier |
| January 30 | Lubbock Qualifier | Lubbock High School, Lubbock | Qualifier |
| February 6 | Midland Qualifier 2 | Midland | Qualifier |
| February 20 | Panhandle Regional Championship | Lubbock-Cooper High School, Lubbock | Advancing event |
For regional announcements, selection instructions, and team resources, visit the Panhandle FLL Padlet.
View current event details on the Events page.
West / El Paso
Follow UTEP’s local instructions for event schedules, registration, selection, and payment. The October 21 website selection opening does not apply to West / El Paso.
Visit the FLL Regions page for regional contact information.