WIth each new season, several kickoff events are hosted around the state to give teams an introduction to the fun and excitement ahead. 

2025/26 UNEARTHED Season Challenge release date: August 5th, 2025

Kickoff events will be posted as information becomes available. 

  • Southern Illinois: SIUE STEM Center
  • Quad Cities (QCESC): Putnam Museum
    • 9/20
  • Peoria
    • 9/14

Coach Training Sessions

FIRST Illinois Robotics will be making coach training available each season. Some coach training will be made available as webinars which will be recorded. 

Coach Training events/Coach training sessions may be for Coaches only. Please adhere to the guidelines laid out by event coordinators. If you have questions, please reach out to the contact listed for the event or [email protected] 

Monthy Coach Calls Details

Using ask-us-anything formatting, we have begun hosting our monthly Coach Calls!

Join us on the 3rd Wednesdays each month at 8pm Central time. Please join by computer. These calls will be recorded and shared below.

8/20/2024

9/17/2024

10/15/2024

11/19/2024

Scrimmages are hosted by third-party groups (FLL teams, FTC or FRC teams, schools, etc) and are not hosted by FIRST Illinois Robotics. 

Scrimmages will be posted as they become available. Space is typically limited at these events, so registration is required through the organizing party.

Scrimmages and similar events hosted in Illinois (non-official events, not hosted by FIRST Illinois Robotics) will be published as details become available.

Illinois Registration for UNEARTHED will open by 9/19

Judging flowchart for Illinois:  Illinois Judging Flowchart


Reminders for Team Registration in Illinois:

  • Teams registration is NOT first-come, first-served.
  • Any late team registrations will only be able to select between tournaments that are not full; this typically limits event placement to less than 25% of the original tournament selections.

When registering in Illinios, teams will be asked to

  • Provide coach contact details (name, email, cc email, phone); up to 6 coaches are permitted on the registration form
    • The primary coach contact should reliably check and respond to emails as they will be the primary contact for the team via FIRST Illinois Robotics and the Tournament Coordinators
    • The phone numbers should be correct and different for each coach. Cell phone is strongly preferred; Phone is not the primary means of communication but may be used by the FIRST Illinois Robotics and Tournament Coordinators in the event of an emergency or urgent day-of-tournament communication
  • Provide team details like number of students and rookie status
  • Provide a mailing select 5 events that the team is able to attend
    • First or second choice placement is not guaranteed
  • Payment method

Qualifying Tournament dates and locations will be posted once available.

    Sectionals will be held across Illinois. Each qualifier will advance between 25% and 40% of teams to a Sectional. To qualify for a Sectional, a team must be selected as an advancing team from a Qualifier. Teams advancing to Sectionals will receive an email inviting them to select preferences for events. Event preference selection is due by 12/22/2025.

    Regarding assignments:

    • Teams north of I-80 will not be given priority at Peoria, Southern Illinois, Champaign events, regardless of the team requests
    • Any issues with assignments must be sent by 12/27. Not all issues with assignments will be able to be fixed: it is dependent on space remaining at events
    • Teams will receive sectional information no earlier 12/30 due to the holidays - please be patient. If you have not received communication from the tournament coordinator by 1/6, pelase email.

    Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Elgin Community College

    This event is free to the public.

    More information for teams attending and spectators will be available later.