FIRST Robotics Competition Announces 2025 Season: “REEFSCAPE”

The 2025 FIRST Robotics Competition season, officially titled “REEFSCAPE,” challenges teams to design and build industrial-sized robots to complete complex tasks in a marine-themed environment. According to FIRST, the organization behind the global robotics program, the upcoming season focuses on coral reef restoration, requiring students to navigate underwater-inspired obstacles and perform precision maneuvers.

2025 Season Schedule and Key Dates

The official kickoff for the 2025 season is scheduled for January 4, 2025. On this date, the specific game rules, field elements, and scoring criteria are unveiled to teams worldwide. Following the kickoff, regional and district events are slated to take place throughout March and April, culminating in the FIRST Championship, which will be held in Houston, Texas, from April 16 to 19, 2025.

Program Overview and Participation

FIRST Robotics Competition is designed for students in grades 9 through 12. Teams are tasked with building robots that weigh up to 125 pounds, operating within a set of strict regulations and a limited timeframe. The competition emphasizes “Coopertition,” a term coined by FIRST to describe a philosophy where teams compete fiercely but also assist one another with repairs, programming, or mechanical issues during events. Participation requires registration through the official FIRST dashboard, where mentors and coaches manage team rosters, event preferences, and safety certifications.

Regional and District Event Structure

The competition is organized into two primary formats: the District Model and the Regional Model. In the District Model, teams compete in multiple smaller events to earn points toward qualification for a District Championship. Conversely, the Regional Model allows teams to attend one or more regional tournaments, where winning a top award or winning the event itself secures a spot at the FIRST Championship. The selection process for advancement is determined by a combination of on-field performance and judged awards, which recognize excellence in engineering, outreach, and team spirit.

Technical and Safety Requirements

Every robot must adhere to the official competition manual, which is updated annually to reflect the specific challenges of the current game. Key requirements include mandatory safety protocols, electrical standards, and mechanical constraints. Teams are encouraged to utilize CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software for prototyping and to document their design process in an engineering notebook. This documentation is reviewed by judges to determine eligibility for technical awards, such as the Excellence in Engineering Award or the Autonomous Award.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is eligible to join a team? Any student between the ages of 14 and 18, or in grades 9–12, is eligible to join a FIRST Robotics Competition team.
• How much does it cost to participate? Registration fees vary by region and team type. Teams should consult the official FIRST website or their local Program Delivery Partner for specific financial information and grant opportunities.
• Can teams participate in multiple events? Yes, teams may register for multiple regional or district events depending on availability and budget.
• What if my school doesn’t have a team? Students can join community-based teams, 4-H clubs, or scout troops that host FIRST programs, or they can work with a teacher to start a new team at their school.

The 2025 season represents a significant milestone in the organization’s efforts to expand STEM access globally. By centering the competition on environmental themes like coral reef preservation, FIRST aims to connect technical engineering skills with real-world ecological challenges.