Students build it
Teams design, manufacture and program their own robot.
FIRST Tech Challenge
Robotics builtby students
Robot performance alone is not enough. Watch autonomous control, driver skill, strategy and cooperation with an alliance partner that changes from match to match.
How to watch FTC
Six things that make a match exciting
You do not need to know every rule. Watch the robots and the teams around them.
Two against two
Two teams form an alliance and score together against another pair.
Autonomous first
The robot begins by running only the team’s pre-written program.
Drivers take over
Students read the situation and control the robot for the rest of the match.
Partners change
Teams must quickly coordinate a new strategy with each alliance partner.
Many roles matter
Engineering, presentation, outreach and team operations all matter.
2027 event
FTC Japan Scrimmage confirmed
The FTC Japan Scrimmage will take place at Sumida STEAM Fes on Sunday, January 10, 2027.
Free admission · no extra booking needed to watch.
Each match lasts about 2½ minutes, so it is easy to watch with young children, and you do not need to know the rules. Registration for the festival takes about a minute and can be done at the venue on the day.
Each match lasts about 2½ minutes, so it is easy to watch with young children, and you do not need to know the rules. Registration for the festival takes about a minute and can be done at the venue on the day.
More than the match
A challenge bigger than the robot
FTC also values teamwork, communication, outreach and the ability to run a sustainable team.
More Than Robots
FIRST uses robotics as a way for young people to build confidence, problem-solving, collaboration and communication.
Want to start a team?
NPO SAKURA Tempesta supports students, teachers and families who want to begin FTC in Japan.
Team-start support →