Western Edge 2026: Four Days of Innovation, Collaboration, and Inspiration

There are robotics competitions, and then there are events that become experiences. Western Edge 2026, held May 28-31 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California, was the latter.

For four unforgettable days, students, coaches, mentors, volunteers, and families from around the world gathered to celebrate engineering, creativity, and the values that make the FIRST community so unique.

A Global Celebration of FIRST

Western Edge Invitational continued its tradition as one of the largest international FIRST invitationals, welcoming:

• 90 FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams
• 40 FIRST LEGO League Explore teams
• 88 FIRST Tech Challenge Premier teams

The venue buzzed with excitement as teams from different countries and cultures shared ideas, traded pins and gifts, solved problems together, and formed friendships that stretched far beyond the competition fields.

FIRST LEGO League Challenge

Challenge teams demonstrated months of dedication through Robot Game matches, Innovation Project presentations, and Core Values judging. Every match showcased countless hours of programming, engineering, testing, and teamwork.

One of Western Edge’s signature experiences returned once again: the On the Spot Challenge. Mixed alliances of teams were presented with a brand-new challenge and given only a short amount of time to design, build, program, and compete. The activity encouraged quick thinking, collaboration, and creative problem solving while bringing together students who had only just met.

FIRST LEGO League Explore

The youngest participants proved that innovation has no age limit. Explore teams proudly presented their models and programming while explaining the ideas behind their season’s work.

Western Edge also offered Explore participants interactive activities and opportunities to experience robotics in exciting new ways, helping build confidence while creating memories that will inspire many of these students to continue their FIRST journey.

FIRST Tech Challenge Premier Competition

Alongside the FIRST LEGO League events, 88 FIRST Tech Challenge teams competed in the Premier Event across two divisions. Qualification matches, alliance selections, elimination rounds, judging sessions, and awards highlighted the incredible technical skills and teamwork demonstrated by students throughout the weekend.

Having FTC and FLL together under one roof created a unique opportunity for younger students to see what their future in FIRST could look like while older students inspired the next generation of engineers.

More Than a Competition

While the robots certainly captured attention, Western Edge has always been about much more than scores and rankings.

Throughout the weekend, participants enjoyed activities that encouraged interaction and celebration, including themed dress days, cultural exchanges, team trading, a Friday night dance party, and the popular “I Spy Saturday” challenge. Practice areas remained active well into the evenings as teams refined programs, shared ideas, and helped one another prepare for competition.

Every hallway became an opportunity to meet someone new, learn about another country’s robotics program, or exchange stories about the season.

Volunteers Make the Difference

Events like Western Edge are only possible because of the dedication of hundreds of volunteers. Judges, referees, inspectors, queuers, scorekeepers, field resetters, pit administrators, registration staff, and countless others worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every team had an exceptional experience.

Their commitment exemplified the spirit of FIRST by creating an environment where students could focus on learning, competing, and growing.

A Weekend That Inspires

As the final awards were presented and teams packed up their robots, Western Edge 2026 concluded with far more than medals and trophies. Students returned home with new friendships, fresh ideas, greater confidence, and a renewed passion for science, technology, engineering, and teamwork.

Western Edge continues to demonstrate that FIRST is about much more than building robots. It is about building future innovators, leaders, and compassionate problem solvers who will shape the world together.

For everyone who attended, volunteered, coached, or supported a team, Western Edge 2026 was another reminder that the greatest achievements are not measured solely by points on a scoreboard, but by the connections made, the lessons learned, and the inspiration carried home.

The inaugural FIRST Robotics Competition SoCal State Championship, presented by Qualcomm, took over the Anaheim Convention Center Arena April 9–12, 2026, bringing together 60 of Southern California’s top robotics teams and 1,200+ students for four days of FIRST® AGE REBUILT competition, community, and celebration that could only happen here.

From the sunshine outside to the electric energy on the competition floor, the inaugural SoCal State Championship had a character all its own, diverse, creative, and brimming with the kind of ambition this region is known for. These teams earned their spot, battling through the inaugural FIRST California District season to compete at the highest level of FRC in Southern California.

Opening Ceremonies

The weekend’s opening moments set exactly the right tone. On Saturday, Natalie Taitano of Qualcomm, our presenting sponsor and a longtime champion of STEM in Southern California and beyond, took the stage alongside Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Leon, whose presence reflected the city’s pride in hosting this landmark event. On Sunday, the stage belonged to Michael Jobity, CEO of Jetson Infinity and FIRST alumni, whose journey from student competitor to tech entrepreneur was a living reminder of exactly why this program matters.

A Championship Week Full of Energy and Opportunity

The competition was just the beginning. The SoCal State Championship delivered a full lineup of experiences that made this event as much about futures as it was about robots:

• Mentor Breakfast: Friday morning kicked off with a well-deserved celebration for the mentors who make FIRST possible, the people behind the scenes who give their time, expertise, and dedication every single season.
• STEM for Everyone Career Roundtable: An incredible gathering of industry professionals from Google, UCLA Children’s Hospital, Lockheed Martin, LA28, Qualcomm, RTX, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Sandisk and Universal Creative gave students a front-row seat to the breadth of STEM careers available to them.
• Alumni Event: The alumni gathering drew a great crowd and featured guest speaker Brianne Wada of Qualcomm, a group photo, and prizes.
• Qualcomm Trivia: Students and attendees tested their knowledge for a chance to win some seriously cool prizesincluding an Arduino Uno Q and a Rubik Pi. Equal parts fun and educational, just like FIRST.
• Free Robot Glamour Shots: Because every robot deserves its moment in the spotlight.
• FLL & FTC Demos: The next generation of FIRST participants got to show what they’re made of, with FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge dispays.
• College and Scholarship Row: Students had the opportunity to connect with colleges and explore scholarship opportunities.

Officially Recognized by the California State Legislature

In a proud moment for the entire FIRST California community, the SoCal State Championship was officially recognized by the California State Legislature. Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi’s office provided a legislative certificate honoring FIRST Robotics and its impact on STEM education and student innovation across the state. It is a meaningful acknowledgment of the work that students, mentors, volunteers, and partners pour into this program every single year.

Awards

• Impact Award Winners: Team 4201, Vitruvian Bots and Team 589, Falkon Robotics
• Winning Alliance: Team 4414, High Tide; Team 3476, Code Orange; Team 8119, TigerBotics
• Leadership Award Semi-Finalists: Zoe E with Jaguar Robotics Team 7415, Gabriel D withThe Nerd Herd Team 687, Matthew H with NOMAD Team 6995, Ashlyn D with Team Spyder Team 1622
• Engineering Inspiration: Team 2429, The Blockheads
• Full Awards List: 2026 Awards

A heartfelt thank you to Qualcomm, our presenting sponsor, to the Anaheim Convention Center, and to every team, mentor, volunteer, and partner who made this first-ever championship an unforgettable one. 

Southern California, this is just the beginning.

Feel free to download and share any of these photos.  You can tag FIRST California at @firstroboticscalifornia on Instagram  and use hashtags #FIRSTinCA, #morethanrobots, #omgrobots, #REBUILT and #FIRSTAGE.

History was made at inaugural FIRST Robotics Competition NorCal State Championship, held April 9–12, 2026, at the Cow Palace Arena & Event Center in San Francisco. It brought together 60 of Northern California’s top high school robotics teams and 1,200+ students for four extraordinary days of FIRST® AGE REBUILT competition, community, and celebration.

These teams earned their spot advancing through the inaugural FIRST California District season to compete at the highest level of FRC competition in Northern California. The energy inside the Cow Palace was electric from the moment the doors opened, and the competition did not disappoint.

A Record-Breaking Weekend

The NorCal State Championship will be remembered for one match in particular that stopped everyone in their tracks: a world high score of 869 points and a world high losing score of 707 points set in the same match. A jaw-dropping moment that showcased just how elite the level of competition had become, and one that had the entire arena on its feet.

Inspiring Voices from Industry

The opening ceremonies brought together some of the most inspiring voices in STEM and technology:

• Debajit Ghosh, Distinguished Software Engineer, Platforms & Devices, Google
• Greg Corrado, Distinguished Scientist, Research, Technology and Society, Google
• Bryan Gerofsky, K-12 Program Manager, Hardware Engineering, Apple
• Empowerly

Beyond the Field: A Championship Week Full of Impact

What set this inaugural championship apart was the rich programming that surrounded the competition, turning the event into a true STEM community experience:

• STEM for Everyone Panel: Organized by a consortium of all-girl NorCal FRC teams, this special panel brought together representatives from Apple, PG&E, and NASA, alongside two student voices, for a powerful conversation about access, inclusion, and opportunity in STEM. A standout moment of the entire weekend.
• Mentor Appreciation Lunch: More than 100 mentors gathered for a dedicated lunch. A well-deserved celebration of the adults who give their time, expertise, and hearts to make FIRST possible for students across Northern California.
• School Field Trips: Approximately 300 students from local schools attended as part of organized field trips, many experiencing a FIRST event for the very first time. A powerful glimpse of the future of the program.
• FLL Explore Festival: Young innovators from FIRST LEGO League Explore had their moment in the spotlight, bringing the full FIRST family together under one roof.
• FLL Challenge & FTC Demos: Attendees got a front-row look at the breadth of FIRST programs in action, with demonstrations from FIRST LEGO League Challenge and FIRST Tech Challenge teams inspiring the next wave of participants.

Awards

• Impact Award Winners: Team 1678, Citrus Circuits; Team 1671, Buchanan Bird Brains
• Winning Alliance: Team 254, Cheesy Poofs; Team 1323, Madtown Robotics; Team 6238, Popcorn Penguins
• Leadership Award Semi-Finalists: Clarina M with The Janksters Team 1967, Reet B with Aragon Robotics Team 840, Riya M with Eaglestrike Team 114, Ryan L with Popcorn Penguins Team 6238
• Engineering Inspiration: Team 1868, The Space Cookies
• Full Awards List: 2026 Awards

From the record-breaking matches to the inspiring panels and packed pit areas, the inaugural NorCal State Championship proved that California’s robotics community is ready to set the standard for the rest of the country. A heartfelt thank you to every team, mentor, volunteer, sponsor, and community partner who helped make this first-ever championship an unforgettable one.

The future of STEM in Northern California has never looked brighter.

Feel free to download and share any of these photos.  You can tag FIRST California at @firstroboticscalifornia on Instagram  and use hashtags #FIRSTinCA, #morethanrobots, #omgrobots, #REBUILT and #FIRSTAGE.

Clovis welcomed the FIRST community with open arms. The FIRST Robotics Competition Central Valley District Event, held March 27–29, 2026, at Buchanan High School, brought together 27 teams and 800+ students for a weekend of FIRST® AGE REBUILT competition in a tight-knit and passionate robotics communities.

Awards

• Impact Award Winners: Team 766, M-A Bears
• Winning Alliance: Team 1323, MadTown Robotics; Team 254, Cheesy Poofs, Team 2367, Lancer Robotics
• Leadership Award Semi-Finalists: Hope P with Buchanan Bird Brains Team 1671, Riya M with Eaglestrike Team 114
• Engineering Inspiration: Team 971, Spartan Robotics
• Full Awards List: 2026 Awards

Off the field, the weekend reflected the warmth and generosity the Central Valley is known for. A heartfelt thank you to Buchanan High School, and to every mentor, volunteer, and sponsor who showed up to make this event possible.

Feel free to download and share any of these photos.  You can tag FIRST California at @firstroboticscalifornia on Instagram  and use hashtags #FIRSTinCA, #morethanrobots, #omgrobots, #REBUILT and #FIRSTAGE.

The FIRST Robotics Competition Sacramento District Event, held March 20–22, 2026, at Pleasant Grove High School, welcomed 40 teams and 1,200+ students to the Sacramento region for a weekend of FIRST® AGE REBUILT competition. Year after year, the Sacramento community continues to rally around FIRST, and this year was no exception.

Pleasant Grove High School made for a terrific host, and the Elk Grove community brought the kind of hometown warmth that makes a FIRST event feel like more than just a competition.  It feels like a gathering of people who genuinely care about students and their futures.

On the field, teams came ready. The pits buzzed with strategy sessions, last-minute adjustments, and the collaborative problem-solving that is the hallmark of FIRST. Whether it was a rookie team experiencing their first district event or a veteran team chasing NorCal Championship qualification points, the drive and dedication on display all weekend long was something to see.

Awards

• Impact Award Winners: Team 3598, SEStimatic Eliminators
• Winning Alliance: Team 1678 Citrus Circuits; Team 5940, BREAD; Team 2204, Rambots
• Leadership Award Semi-Finalists: Anna T with Citrus Circuits Team 1678, Dhananjay K with The Funky Monkeys Team 846
• Engineering Inspiration: Team 4698, Raider Robotics
• Full Awards List: 2026 Awards

To every team, mentor, volunteer, and sponsor who made the Sacramento District Event possible, thank you! This community continues to grow, and we love every minute of it.

Feel free to download and share any of these photos.  You can tag FIRST California at @firstroboticscalifornia on Instagram  and use hashtags #FIRSTinCA, #morethanrobots, #omgrobots, #REBUILT and #FIRSTAGE.

There’s something fitting about 39 robotics teams descending on Silicon Valley, a region synonymous with innovation, disruption, and big ideas, to spend a weekend building, competing, and pushing the limits of what’s possible.

The FIRST Robotics Competition Silicon Valley District Event, presented by Apple, took place March 13–15, 2026, at Woodside High School in Woodside, CA, welcoming 39 teams and 1,200+ students for a weekend of FIRST® AGE REBUILT competition that felt right at home in the innovation capital of the world.

Woodside High School brought warmth and a great competitive atmosphere to the event, and teams rose to the occasion, filling the gym with the kind of creative problem-solving and Coopertition® spirit that makes FIRST unlike anything else.

A huge thank you to the volunteers, mentors, sponsors, especially presenting sponsor Apple, and to the Woodside High School community for hosting such a fantastic event. The FIRST California district season is in full swing, and Silicon Valley showed exactly why this region is a cornerstone of it.

Awards

• Impact Award Winners: Team 1671, Buchanan Bird Brains
• Winning Alliance: Team 254, The Cheesy Poofs; Team 9740, Clt-Alt-Defeat; Team 6665, C-Otters
• Leadership Award Semi-Finalists: Clarina M with The Janksters Team 1967, Ryan L with Popcorn Penguins Team 6238
• Engineering Inspiration: Team 1868, Space Cookies
• Full Awards List: 2026 Awards

A heartfelt thank you to all teams, mentors, volunteers, and sponsors who helped write the first chapter of the Silicon Valley District Event.

Feel free to download and share any of these photos.  You can tag FIRST California at @firstroboticscalifornia on Instagram  and use hashtags #FIRSTinCA, #morethanrobots, #omgrobots, #REBUILT and #FIRSTAGE.

The 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition Glendale District Event, held March 27 to 29 at Glendale High School, marked the inaugural FIRST Robotics Competition event hosted in Glendale. The event brought together 37 high school teams from across California for a high-energy weekend of innovation and competition as part of the new FIRST California District model.

Students designed, built, and competed with industrial-sized robots in the 2026 FIRST® AGE archaeology-themed game, working in alliances to solve complex engineering challenges while demonstrating teamwork, creativity, and technical skill. The event welcomed hundreds of students, mentors, volunteers, and spectators, highlighting Glendale’s growing role in supporting STEM education and hands-on learning opportunities.

Opening ceremonies featured remarks from Arda Tchakian on behalf of State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, and Glendale Councilwoman Elen Asatryan, recognizing the importance of programs like FIRST in developing the next generation of innovators and leaders.

Teams traveled from across the state to compete in this Week 4 district event, earning valuable points toward qualification for the Southern California District Championship. As the first event of its kind in Glendale, the competition established a strong foundation for continued growth, community engagement, and expanded access to STEM opportunities in the region.

Awards

• Impact Award Winner: Team 3501, Firebots
• Winning Alliance: Team 7415, Jaguar Robotics; Team 6995, NOMAD; Team 2404, NEY Techs (TNT)
• Leadership Award Semi-Finalists: Zoe E with Jaguar Robotics Sponsored By Feit Electric Team 7415, Demir G with Harvard Westlake Robotics Team 1148
• Engineering Inspiration: Team 4, Element
• Full Awards List: 2026 Awards

A heartfelt thank you to all teams, mentors, volunteers, and sponsors who helped write the first chapter of the Glendale District Event.

Feel free to download and share any of these photos.  You can tag FIRST California at @firstroboticscalifornia on Instagram  and use hashtags #FIRSTinCA, #morethanrobots, #omgrobots, #REBUILT and #FIRSTAGE.

Innovation was on full display in Southern California as the FIRST Robotics Competition Orange County District Event took over Capistrano Valley High School from April 2–4.

With 1,100+ students and 38 teams in attendance, the event brought together a vibrant community of young engineers, creators, and problem-solvers ready to put their robots and their teamwork to the test.

Where Creativity Meets Competition

Each team arrived with a unique approach to the challenge, reflecting weeks of iteration, testing, and teamwork. Whether refining code, adjusting mechanisms, or strategizing between matches, students were immersed in a real-world engineering experience that goes far beyond the classroom.

A Community Built on More Than Winning

What makes events like Orange County truly special is the culture. Teams didn’t just compete. They supported one another, shared ideas, and celebrated each other’s wins.

This spirit reflects the heart of FIRST: a community grounded in Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition, where learning, respect, and inclusion are just as important as performance.

It’s this environment that helps students build confidence, develop leadership skills, and discover pathways into STEM. It prepares them for whatever future they choose.

Awards

• Impact Award Winner: Team 115 – MVRT
• Winning Alliance: Team 4414 – High Tide; Team 3476 – Code Orange; Team 3309 – Friarbots
• Leadership Award Semi-Finalists: Braiden K with Metal Maniacs Team 9730; Andrea F with SMbly Required with 5805
• Engineering Inspiration: Team 4201 – Vitruvian Bots
• Full Awards List: 2026 Awards

Inspiring the Next Generation

Throughout the weekend, mentors, volunteers, and supporters played a critical role in guiding and encouraging students. Their presence reinforces what makes FIRST so impactful. It’s a powerful network of role models helping students connect their passion for STEM to real-world opportunities.

Events like the Orange County District competition are more than a showcase of robotics. They are a launchpad for future innovators, where students gain the skills, mindset, and inspiration to take on the challenges of tomorrow.

Call to Action

Be part of what’s next:

• Volunteer at a local event
• Mentor a team
• Partner with FIRST California to support student opportunities

Together, we’re creating experiences that inspire students to lead, innovate, and build a better future.

Thank You!

A heartfelt thank you to all teams, mentors, volunteers, and sponsors who helped write the first chapter of the Orange County District Event.

Feel free to download and share any of these photos.  You can tag FIRST California at @firstroboticscalifornia on Instagram  and use hashtags #FIRSTinCA, #morethanrobots, #omgrobots, #REBUILT and #FIRSTAGE.