Tournament registration
Tournament registration for NY Excelsior Region teams is open in early November through February (or until full).
Volunteer for our FIRST Events
Team Guides (updated after November)
NY Excelsior FIRST Tech Challenge Teams
See the interactive map indicating teams across the New York State.
Events Schedule
The NY Excelsior (NY EX) FIRST Tech Challenge community of robotics teams proudly encompasses all of New York State except New York City and Long Island. So we may best serve our many teams, tournaments are closed to non-NY Excelsior teams.
FIRST Come FIRST Served Registration for Qualifiers is open in early November through February (or until full). Thoroughly review the important details in the document linked above in the "Teams Register Here" button.
| Event | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Kickoffs in the NY Excelsior Region Info & Registration document |
Sat., Sept. 12, 2026 | Albany, Buffalo, Clarkson U., Corning, and Utica NEW! Katonah-Lewisboro John Jay High School in Cross River, NY |
| Workshops, Scrimmages, & Meet Ups | Schedule | Various locations |
| John Jay Qualifier | Sat., Dec. 5, 2026 | John Jay Sr. High School, Hopewell Junction, NY (Map) |
| Finger Lakes Qualifier | TBA | Penfield High School, near Rochester (Map) |
| NY EX - FIRST Leadership Award Nomination Deadline | Dec. 15, 10 pm EST | Read the Leadership Award Nomination Guide - Nominations open from September's Kickoff through Dec. 15 annually. Deadline is FIRM. |
| NY EX First Leadership Award Interviews (Remote by Video/Phone) | Jan. 4 - 7, 2027 | NY EX Interviews take place via video/phone meetings with 2 Interviewer Volunteers. Scheduling is coordinated via email to Coaches 2 wks. prior. |
| Utica MVCC Qualifier | TBA | Mohawk Valley Community College (Map) |
| Albany Academy Qualifier | TBA | Albany Academy, Albany (Map) |
| Buffalo Qualifier | TBA | Buffalo Academy of Science, Buffalo (Map) |
| (downstate) Qualifier | August/September | TBA. Thank you for 10+ amazing years, Peekskill HS, Host Team 4243, Janice and Carlo! |
| Clarkson University Qualifier | Sat., Jan. 30, 2027 | Schuler Educational Resources Center (ERC) [building 34 on campus map], Potsdam (MAP) (Campus map) |
| Corning Qualifier | Sun. Feb. 7, 2027 | Corning-Painted Post High School Fieldhouse, Corning (Map) |
| Broadalbin-Perth Qualifier | Sat. Feb. 27, 2027 | Broadalbin-Perth High School, Broadalbin (Map) |
| NY EXCELSIOR REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2 days, Sat. 12 pm - Sun. 6:30 pm 8 qualifying matches per team Team Social Dinner at MVCC Saturday evening |
TBA | Mohawk Valley Community College, Utica, N.Y. (Map) |
| FIRST World Championship | April 28 -May 1, 2027 | George Brown Convention Center, HOUSTON, TEXAS (Map) |
| Premier Events | April - July | Various locations globally. (FIRST website for Process and Events list) |
Advancement
Approximately one-third of competing teams advance to the NY EX Regional Championship.
NY EX Qualifiers each advance between 2-5 teams to the NY EX Regional Championship. Advancing teams are invited through announcements at each Closing Ceremony, and again via email to the Coaches thereafter.
Top teams from the NY EX Regional Championship advance to:
FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP, HOUSTON, TX, and various exciting FIRST Tech Challenge PREMIER
EVENTS, April-July, throughout the U.S. and the world.
Advancement to the next tournament level is determined by team performance and awards. See the “Advancement” section of the Competition Manual.
Teams are only eligible to advance from events in their own region. Teams can advance from any of their first 3 qualifiers. Teams may compete at a 4th event, or outside their region, but only for more gameplay, and will not be advancement eligible from these.
General FIRST Tech Challenge Tournament Schedule
6:45-7:30 a.m. — Volunteers Arrive & Volunteer Meetings
7:15 a.m. — Teams Arrive and Check-in
7:30-10 a.m. — Pre-scheduled Judges' Interviews & Robot Inspections
9:50 a.m. — Driver's Meeting with the fabulous Head Ref
10:15 a.m. — Opening Ceremony
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Qualification Matches
12:30-1 p.m. — Lunch Break ***
1:10-3:30 p.m. — Qualification Matches Continue
3:15 p.m. — Alliance Selection
3:45-6 p.m. (or 6:30) — Playoff Matches / Awards Ceremonies
6 or 7 p.m. — Pit Cleanup and Load Out *
* Please be aware that tournaments sometimes run long.
*** FOOD Options (only ½ hour lunch):
- Most events have a pre-order, delivered lunch form, and/or snack bar.
- Bring your own.
- You can find something locally, but most venues are far from any lunch sources.
Specific food options will be outlined in each event’s Team Guide.