Northeast’s Premier International Robotics Competition

Over 100 teams will compete for the New England Robotics title at the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition District Championship in West Springfield, Massachusetts, according to NE FIRST, the operational partner of FIRST in the six New England states. The event, described as the highest level of competition in the Northeast, will feature top-rated international robotics teams competing throughout the weekend at The Big E fairgrounds.

The championship will host 100 teams divided into two FRC divisions of 50 teams each, competing in the Coliseum, A Barn, and Young buildings at The Big E venue. This structure allows for simultaneous competition across multiple fields while maintaining the integrity of the district championship format that determines which teams advance to the FIRST Championship.

NE FIRST supports FIRST’s global mission of inspiring young people to become science and technology leaders through mentor-based programs that build engineering and technology skills. The organization serves all six New England states and is supported by ingenuityNE, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity incorporated in Connecticut.

Participants in the FIRST Robotics Competition build industrial-size robots to play a sport that combines the excitement of competition with rigorous STEM learning. Through the program, students develop problem-solving abilities, teamwork skills, and technical expertise that often lead to careers in engineering and technology fields, with many returning as mentors to support future teams.

The 2026 event continues New England’s tradition of hosting one of the premier robotics competitions in the United States, drawing teams from across the region and internationally to compete for the district championship title and a chance to advance to the global FIRST Championship later in the season.