Registration for the SoCal FTC region has two main steps. If you would like more information on League Play, please see the details on the top menu here. (If you are in the San Diego County area, please visit SDFTC.org for their league registration.)
- To begin with, two adult mentors will register their team with FIRST at firstinspires.org, whether you are a rookie or returning team. FIRST will ask for a $275 annual registration fee plus they need to ensure your two adult mentors pass Youth Protection, which will need to be renewed every three years. After you have signed up for FIRST for the season, you’ll be assigned to a League and will receive an email with directions on how to register with the SoCal FTC region for your event season. To see other teams in your League, click here. If you wish to be changed from your first assigned League, you may request to be switched to a different League. This, however, can only be done once and it must be done before the first League Meet.
- To register your team with the SoCal FTC region, click here. The SoCal FTC registration fee will be $300. This includes up to 4 League Meets and 1 Qualifying Tournament, which equals up to 25 match plays with a live audience! Any registration questions can be sent to registration@firsttechsocal.org. Your team must be fully registered with FIRST and SoCal FTC to retain your League spot.
Broader Information for New Teams and Rookies:
If this is your first season competing, welcome to our group! Your rookie FIRST Tech Challenge robotics season can be particularly exciting and overwhelming but there are many resources available to make the experience worthwhile.
If you are new to FTC or FIRST, please check the corporate website for game manuals, resource ideas, how to fundraise, and helpful hints for mentors: https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc/start-a-team
Where You Can Get Information / Help:
First off (slight pun intended), season information may be found at https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc. Please check this regularly as headquarters posts updates regularly.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter, Robot Tuesday, here! Once the season begins, we feature updates from the Regional Planning Committee, fellow teams/mentors, and different supporting companies and organizations. It is an excellent source for information and resources. It is open to anyone who is interested in keeping up with our region and we strongly recommend that mentors share information with student team members and families.
We also have an active SoCal FIRST Tech Challenge Facebook page featuring even more updates and photos from events here. We have an active Mentor Facebook Group for all mentors to share stories, resources, and ideas. Coaches and mentors, please email community@firsttechsocal.org for an invitation.
Please know that if you have any questions or concerns, we are here to support you and your students throughout all your endeavors. For registration questions, email registration@firsttechsocal.org. For all other questions, please reach out to us at community@firsttechsocal.org at any time. We wish you the best in these upcoming months and look forward to meeting you soon!
Best,
SoCal FIRST Tech Challenge Planning Committee