Kick Off Events

Kickoff is the first event of the FTC season, occurring in September each year.  It offers the opportunity to see the game reveal, network with other FTC teams and strategize about the new season.  There is an international broadcast of the game reveal, as well as local events that can be attended for local networking as well as the opportunity to see a field and field elements up close.  A local Kickoff event can also feature roundtable discussions and workshops for building skills.  Check this page for information about the Illinois Kickoff events around August of each year.

Chicago Area FTC Kick-off

Sept 9th, 2023, 8:30-2:00pm

Grainger Headquarters
Lake Forest, IL

Online IL FTC Kick-off

Sept 9th, 2023, 8:40-12:20

Portions of the Chicago area kickoff will be streamed online.  

  • 8:40 am   Live stream Starts.
  • 9:00 – 10:40 am - Seminars in Progress
    • 9:00 – 9:30 am - Seminar 1 - 3D printing for your robot
    • 9:35 – 10:05 am - Seminar 2 - Judging from the Judge's perspective
    • 10:10 – 10:40 am - Seminar 3 - Programming Intermediate
  • 10:45 – 11:00 am Jonathan Weiland, IL FTC Director
  • 11:00 – 11:45 am Kick off game reveal video’s FIRST HQ
  • 11:46 – 12:15pm Field Reveal & Rule Q&A, IL. Head referee Kat
  • 12:20 Live Stream ends

Kickoff Recordings

Western IL / Eastern IA FTC Kick-off

Sept 9th, 2023

Augustana College
Hanson Hall of Science and Olin auditorium
639 38th Street, Rock Island, IL

Southern / Central IL FTC Kick-off

Sept 9th, 2023

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
School of Engineering Building
2026, 61 Circle Dr, Edwardsville, IL 62026

Peoria Child League FTC Kick-off

Sept 9th, 2023

Quest Academy High School
2503 N. University St, Peoria, IL 61604