Prepare for FTC Event Preferencing

Renee Becker-Blau
Sep 19
4 min read

With FTC Event Preferencing around the corner FIRST Wisconsin would like to share a few updates, reminders, and deadlines with our Wisconsin FTC Coaches.

IS YOUR TEAM INFORMATION UP-TO-DATE?
1. Please ensure team, Lead Coach 1, and Lead Coach 2 information is up-to-date in the FIRST Dashboard. This is how your team receives information about the 2025-2026 FTC Season in Wisconsin.
2. Do you need to update a coach's information? Use directions from FIRST Headquarters to update the team contacts.
  Screen capture of the FIRST Dashboard, now with upgraded login!
TEAM ESTIMATES, EVENT SIZES, & PILOT PROGRAM
1. FIRST Wisconsin is projecting to have 104 FTC teams this season.
2. Last season, FIRST Wisconsin had an average of 19 teams per Qualifying Tournament. This season we're targeting an average of 21+ teams per Qualifying Tournament.
3. In partnership with Western Technical College and UW-Stout, FIRST Wisconsin is piloting League Play in the western half of the state for FTC teams in the following counties:
  1. Adams, Barron, Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Crawford, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Richland, Rusk, Saint Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon.
  2. Non-Rookie teams in these counties have the option to opt-out of participating in local league play.
  3. League Meets will take place between November 1st - December 15th, the League Championship will take place December 20th.
Event Registration Fees & Event Cancellations
1. Event Registration Fees will be $250 per Qualifying Tournament (an increase from last season).
2. Reminder about event cancellation guidelines:
  1. In the event that your team cannot attend because of bad weather or any other reason but the event was not canceled – no refund will be issued.
  2. In the event that the event is canceled due to bad weather – we will attempt to reschedule the event or we may calculate a partial refund.
FAQ's about the FIRST Wisconsin FTC Event Registration Process
1. Use the > icon's below on the left to see the answers to each question.
2. Learn more at the FTC and FRC Program Call on September 25th at 7:00pm CT!

Why does FIRST Wisconsin use Event Preferencing?

Event preferencing ensures a fair and convenient process for event registration.

Teams have one week to rank event preferences and submit their choices via a form.
It does not matter when you submit the form during the week—every team has an equal opportunity as long as the form is received before the deadline.
This preference-based system makes event slot distribution fairer for all Wisconsin FTC teams.

FTC Event Registration Process

Round 1

Teams rank and submit their first event preference.
Teams are then matched with their first Qualifying Tournament.

Round 2

Teams rank and submit their second event preference.
Teams are then matched with their second Qualifying Tournament.

Invoicing

Teams are invoiced for their first two Qualifying Tournaments.
Payment deadline: All event registration payments are due by November 10th.

Open Registration

A rolling registration period opens for teams requesting a third event.

Third Event Invoicing

Managed case-by-case depending on availability and circumstances.

What is the timing of each Event Preferencing Round?

Round 1 - Select First Priority Qualifying Tournament via Form

Form Opens: Wednesday, October 1st at 3:00pm CT.

Form Closes: Tuesday, October 7th at 11:59pm CT.

Team Notification: No later than October 11th at Noon CT

Round 2 - Select Second Priority Qualifying Tournament via Form

Form Opens: Wednesday, October 15th at 3:00pm CT.

Form Closes: Tuesday, October 21st at 11:59pm CT.

Team Notification: No later than October 25th at Noon CT

Invoicing:

Teams are invoiced for their first two Qualifying Tournaments in the last week of October.
Payment deadline: All event registration payments (or proof that a request for payment has been submitted to an organization's bookkeeper) are due by November 10th.

Round 3 - Select Third Priority Qualifying Tournament via Form (optional)

Form Opens: Wednesday, October 29th at 3:00pm CT.

Form soft closes: Wednesday, November 5th at Noon CT - includes rolling acceptance for waitlist spots two weeks before the event.

Team Notification: Rolling

Note: Please submit one form per team per round, if a team submits more than one form before each deadline, we will default to the latest submitted form.

Where do you find the link to the form?

An email will be sent out to FTC Lead Mentor 1 and 2 on Wednesday, October 1st, it will include a link to a form for each team to use to select their events.

The form opens for submissions starting at 3pm CT on Wednesday, October 1st.

What events are included in Event Preferencing?

Nov 22nd – Showdown in Sheboygan
Dec 7th - Name TBD in Whitewater
Dec 13th – Thumb Wars in New Berlin (Hybrid Judging)
Jan 3rd - Lakeshore Qualifier in Reedsville
Jan 31st – Name TBD in Madison
Feb 7th – Battle of Brookfield in Brookfield

Learn more at the FTC and FRC Program Call on September 25th at 7:00pm CT!

What events aren't included in Event Preferencing?

Dec 20th – Seven Rivers League Championship in La Crosse (Pilot)
- Hosted at Western Technical College for Seven Rivers FTC Teams
Jan 17th – City of Milwaukee Event (Tentative Pilot)
- Hosted at Milwaukee School of Engineering for City of Milwaukee FTC Teams (Opt-In Required - More information to come)
Feb 8th – Skirmish of Brookfield (Rookie Event)
- Hosted at Brookfield Central High School