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

2026/27 BIOGLOW Season Challenge release date: August 4th, 2026

Additional kickoff events will be posted as information becomes available.

Southern Illinois

Date: Saturday 8/22, 9am-1pm

Address: Southern Illinois University -Edwardsville, STEM Center

Info: Flyer

Registration: Required; See flyer

Champaign/Urbana INFO SESSION

Date: Saturday 8/29, 1:30pm

Address: Douglass Branch of the Champaign Library, 504 E. Grove Street, Champaign, IL 61820

Info: This event is for prospective members and coaches looking to get more information and find a team!

Registration: Not Required

Quad Cities

Date: Saturday 9/19, 8am-12:05pm

Address: Putnam Museum & Science Center, 1717 W 12th Street, Davenport, IA

Info: Website

Registration: Required; visit website

Peoria

Date: Sunday 9/20, 1-4pm

Address: Peoria Public Library North Branch, 3001 West Grand Parkway, Peoria

Info:  Flyer

Registration: Required; Link

Monthy Coach Calls Details

Using ask-us-anything formatting, we host 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.

Bob Siegfried BIOGLOW webinar: YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/2qnk8OjeBTY?si=BrY86hSshfdPoJXk

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.

Interested or intending on hosting a scrimmage? Reach out to us!

BIOGLOW Season Scrimmages will be posted as available.

Illinois Registration opens 10/1/26 through Google Forms

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 address
  • Select 5 events that the team is able to attend
    • First or second choice placement is not guaranteed
  • Payment method

Qualifier Date and Locations

DateDayEventLocationZip
12/5SaturdayChampaign/UrbanaElectrical & Computer Engineering Building61801
12/5SaturdayChicago: Poe* [CPS MOU only]Poe Classical Elementary60628
12/5SaturdayChicago: Lincoln ParkLincoln Park High School60614
12/5SaturdayNapervilleNaperville North High School60563
12/5SaturdayPeoria BradleyBradley University Markin Center61606
12/6SundayChicago: BellBell Elementary60618
12/12SaturdayBuffalo GroveAptakisic Jr. High School60089
12/12SaturdayChicago: TaftTaft Freshman Academy60631
12/12SaturdayChicago: UC Lab SchoolUniversity of Chicago Laboratory School60637
12/12SaturdayPeoria LibertyLiberty Leadership Middle School61614
12/12SaturdayQuad Cities: Moline -Sat1 John Deere Place61265
12/12SaturdaySouthern Illinois Metro East - SaturdaySouthwestern Illinois College - Belleville62221
12/13SundayBataviaRotolo Middle School60510
12/13SundaySouthern Illinois Metro East - SundaySouthwestern Illinois College - Belleville62221
12/19SaturdayArlington HeightsForest View Educational Center60005
12/19SaturdayBloomington-NormalBenjamin Elementary School61705
12/19SaturdayChicago: CVCAChicago Vocational Career Academy60617
12/19SaturdayChicago: Lindblom* [CPS MOU only]Lindblom Math and Science Academy60636
12/19SaturdayDecaturDecatur Christian School62535
12/19SaturdayRockfordRockford Christian Middle School61107
1/9SaturdaySouthern Illinois Southeast JanuaryTBD

Team restrictions may be in place for the specific tournaments

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 12/22/2026.

Regarding assignments:

  • Teams north of I-80 will not be given priority at Peoria, Southern Illinois, Champaign events, regardless of the team request
  • Any issues with assignments must be sent by 12/26. 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, please email.

Saturday, February 13, 2027 at Elgin Community College

More details coming soon.