Play with teams from other countries
Your Alliance Partner changes every Qualification Match. Last time, teams from across Japan played alongside high school teams from US military bases in Japan. A team from Korea joined the first edition.
For FTC Teams｜FTC Japan Scrimmage in Tokyo
Bring your teamto the FTC JapanScrimmage in Tokyo
An FTC scrimmage your team can join from outside Japan. Your team plays Matches and goes through Judging and Awards in the same order as an official event.
- Event Day
- Prep Day
- · optionalRobot Inspection · Practice Matches · Judging Interviews · Team Social
- Entry fee
- FreeEach team covers its own travel, accommodation and meals
- Format
- Matches and JudgingJudging is generally in English. You interview at your own Pit on Saturday or Sunday
- Deadline
- Apply by Interested? Email us first to get the application details
- Venue
- iU Sumida Campus, TokyoProfessional University of Information and Management for Innovation
1-18-13 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 131-0044, JapanOpen in Google Maps
01 / Overview
Eligibility and event format
Eligibility
- Who can enter
- FTC teams registered with FIRST, from Japan or abroad. Several teams from the same school or organization can enter
- Cost
- No entry fee. Each team covers its own travel, accommodation and meals
- Photos & video
- Photos and video of your team may appear on the organizers’ website and social media
Rules
- Season
- 2026–2027 “BIOBUZZ”
Game & Season Materials - Rules
- Same as official events in principle, following the Competition Manual
- Status
- This is a scrimmage. Your results do not affect official rankings or Advancement
Matches & Awards
- Matches
- Practice Matches (Sat) → Qualification Matches 1–16 → Alliance Selection → Playoff Matches
- Awards
- Yes. Awards Ceremony on Sunday from 16:30
Inspection & Judging
- Robot Inspection
- Required. Take it on Saturday 13:00–17:00, or Sunday 7:30–8:30
- Judging
- Every team takes part. You have a 15-minute Judging Interview, generally in English, at your own Pit on Saturday or Sunday
- Pit
- Standard size, with power and a table
02 / Why join
Match practice and
new friends in Tokyo
In-season match practice
Go through the full official event flow, from Robot Inspection to Judging, Alliance Selection, Playoffs and Awards.
Meet teams at Team Social
At Team Social on Saturday evening, talk robots and team management with teams from other countries and regions.
Fun for families, too
While you compete, family members traveling with you can try exhibits and hands-on activities from schools, universities and companies in the same building. Admission is free.
Take part in English
Your Judging Interview is generally in English, and you can email us in English before the event, too.
No entry fee
Entry is free, so more of your budget can go toward travel and your stay.
03 / Schedule (provisional, JST)
Schedule
All times are Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9). You will receive the Match Schedule by email. Joining on Saturday lets you finish Robot Inspection and Practice Matches the day before.
Sat, Jan 9 · Prep Day (optional)
- 13:00–13:30
- Team Check-in · Pit Setup
- 13:00–17:00
- Robot InspectionIn Practice Match order
- 13:30–15:30
- Practice Matches
- 13:30–17:30
- Judging Interviews15 minutes per team, at your own Pit
- 15:30–16:50
- Field Adjustments · BufferRe-inspection and teams arriving late
- 16:50–17:50
- Team Social
- 17:50–18:00
- Pits Close · Team Departure
Sun, Jan 10 · Event Day
- 7:30–8:30
- Match Preparation · Robot InspectionFor teams not inspected on Saturday
- 8:30–9:00
- Doors Open
- 9:00–9:30
- Opening Ceremony
- 9:30–12:40
- Qualification Matches 1–16
- 12:40–13:40
- Lunch
- 13:40–13:55
- Alliance Selection
- 13:55–16:15
- Playoff Matches 1–7 (or 8)
- 16:15–16:30
- Results Tabulation
- 16:30–16:40
- Awards Ceremony
- 16:40–16:55
- Closing Ceremony
- 17:25–18:55
- Load-out
If you skip Saturday, you have your Judging Interview at your own Pit on Sunday.
This schedule is provisional. You will receive the final version by email.
04 / Travel & access
From the airport to the venue
The venue is in Sumida City, eastern Tokyo. You can get there by train from both Narita and Haneda airports.
- Airports
- Narita International Airport (NRT) or Haneda Airport (HND)
Both have direct trains toward Oshiage and Keisei Hikifune stations. - Nearest stations
- Omurai Station (Tobu Kameido Line): about 7 min walk
Keisei Hikifune Station (Keisei Oshiage Line): about 13 min walk
Hikifune Station (Tobu Skytree Line): about 14 min walk
Oshiage Station (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Toei Asakusa Line, Keisei Oshiage Line): about 15 min walk - Venue address
- iU Sumida Campus (Professional University of Information and Management for Innovation)
1-18-13 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 131-0044, Japan
〒131-0044 東京都墨田区文花1-18-13 Google Maps - Invitation letter
- You can request an invitation letter for your school’s approval process or a visa application. Email us what it needs to include and where it will be submitted.
Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Visa exemptions - Airport transfer
- You can get help arranging transport from the airport, including your robot and equipment, depending on the situation. You can discuss the cost with us case by case. Let us know your arrival airport, date and time, number of people and amount of luggage.
- Shipping your robot
- Check with your airline about carrying batteries in cabin or checked baggage. Bringing equipment into Japan temporarily may require customs procedures.
IATA: Traveling with batteries Japan Customs: Temporary imports
05 / Previous teams
Last time: 12 teams, 25 matches
The January 11, 2026 scrimmage brought together teams from across Japan and high school teams from US military bases in Japan, with 95 team members in all. A team from Korea also joined the first edition.
- #6909SAKURA TempestaJapan
- #21637Yokota HSUS military base in Japan
- #21641Kinnick Red DevilsUS military base in Japan
- #23232SAKURA TempestaJapan
- #26214Yukikaze TechnologyJapan
- #26272Senmatsu ChallengerJapan
- #31093Neko PunchJapan
- #32337NorthWest CITYJapan
- #32682Hiroo RoboticsJapan
- #33678Tezukayama RiseJapan
- #33701Tech SHOHEIJapan
- #33757Yabusame TechnologyJapan
Listed by team number.
06 / Get in touch
Interested?
Drop us a line!
The application deadline is November 30, 2026. Still deciding? Get in touch anyway. Coaches and mentors can email us in English, and you’ll get the application details in reply.
The button opens an email with the fields filled in. Add your Team Number, Team Name, country or region, and contact name, then send.
FAQ
Can we join on Sunday only?
Yes. The Prep Day on January 9 is optional. If you come on Sunday only, take Robot Inspection between 7:30 and 8:30.
What if we cannot arrive by 13:00 on Saturday?
The Buffer from 15:30 to 16:50 is set aside for re-inspection and teams arriving late. Let us know your expected arrival time in advance.
Do you cover travel or accommodation costs?
Entry is free, but each team pays for its own travel, accommodation and meals. You can get help arranging transport from the airport depending on the situation, and you can discuss the cost with us case by case.
Can our families come?
Yes. The FTC Japan Scrimmage runs as part of Sumida STEAM Fes, and admission is free, including the exhibits and hands-on activities. Visitors need to register, which they can also do at the venue on the day.
Organizers: NPO SAKURA Tempesta / iU HubLab
About the organizer / Exhibit (schools & groups)