On January 10, 2026, Kettering University will welcome hundreds of students and mentors to campus for the FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff, the highly anticipated moment when teams from around the globe learn the new season's challenge and begin the intense process of designing and building their robots.
More than 54 teams will travel to Flint to watch the official reveal together and collect their Kit of Parts, the foundation for every robot they will build this season. The official game reveal will be streamed live on the FIRST Robotics Competition YouTube Channel for those who do not travel to a host site.
While the Kickoff marks the start of the engineering cycle, it also reunites the FIRST community. It is the first shared moment of the year: the return of familiar jokes, predictions about the new game, and the energy that comes from students seeing themselves as part of a far-reaching STEM movement.
For Kettering University, hosting Kickoff reflects a long-standing commitment to FIRST programs across Michigan. Thousands of students visit campus each year for robotics events, pre-college programs, training sessions, and team meetups—a relationship that connects young competitors with university-level tools, spaces, and mentorship.
FIRST Robotics Competition: A Foundation for Future Engineers
The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges high school students to design, build, and program industrial-style robots while developing the teamwork, communication, and engineering judgment essential to STEM careers. Guided by professional mentors, students learn to think strategically, collaborate under pressure, and solve complex problems with creativity and precision.
FIRST’s culture reinforces these skills. Gracious Professionalism encourages students to operate with integrity and respect, while Coopertition rewards collaboration even in competitive environments. Together, these principles help prepare students for careers in college, industry, and research.
More than 3,600 teams are expected to participate this season at district and regional events, culminating in the FIRST Championship this spring.
Kettering’s Role in Michigan’s Robotics Landscape
For over two decades, Kettering University has played a pivotal role in advancing Michigan’s robotics ecosystem. The university hosts major FIRST and VEX events, provides development and gathering spaces for teams statewide, and offers youth robotics programs that introduce students to engineering well before college.
Kettering’s commitment extends far beyond campus. The Robotics Center and admission staff regularly visit high school build sites, attend competitions across the country, and volunteer at events throughout the season, including 19 competitions since September, with seven more planned before the end of February. The university has also broadened its outreach by sponsoring teams and events in Michigan and across the U.S., helping offset rising costs that challenge many programs. In 2025, Kettering awarded 88 Robotics Scholarships, with 85% of recipients enrolling, clear evidence of the university’s investment in students who begin their engineering journey through robotics.
Hosting the 2026 Kickoff continues this tradition. By welcoming students at the very start of the season, Kettering helps set the stage for months of collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving—and offers competitors a direct connection to an institution shaped by hands-on, industry-centered education.
Looking Toward the 2026 Season
Once the game is revealed, teams will begin brainstorming strategies, prototyping designs, and building the robots they will use in the competition. For many students, the next six weeks will shape not only their performance on the field, but also their academic and career aspirations.
Kettering University is proud to support those journeys—and to again serve as a launch point for Michigan’s FIRST community as the 2026 season begins.
February 16-26, 2026 - Kettering Robotics Scholarship Award Decisions (88 awarded in 2025)
March 1, 2026 - Week 0 Competition for FIRST Robotics teams, Kettering University
March 20-22, 2026 - Kettering University is the Pit Sponsor for the FIM Kearsley District Event
April 10-12, 2026 - Kettering University is the Pit Sponsor for the FIM Fenton District Event
April 16-18, 2026 - Kettering University will exhibit in Scholarship Row at the FIRST in Michigan State Championship
April 29-May 2, 2026 - Kettering will participate in the Innovation Faire at the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas
July 18-19, 2026 - All-Star Alliance Invitational for FIRST Robotics teams, Kettering University Connie & Jim John Recreation Center
July 20-31, 2026 - Robotics camps for FIRST Robotics students, Kettering University Robotics Center
September 12-13, 2026 - Kettering Kickoff 1 & 2 Off-season Competitions for FIRST Robotics teams, Kettering University Connie & Jim John Recreation Center
