Welcome to <I>FIRST</I> Global

Welcome to FIRST Global

We're empowering the next generation of global changemakers through the sport of robotics.

2026 <I>FIRST</I> Global Challenge

2026 FIRST Global Challenge

Incheon, Republic of Korea

7-10 October 2026

Be Inspired

Be Inspired

From overcoming adversity to sparking change, our participants have many stories to share.

Sign up for our Newsletter

Sign up for our Newsletter

Keep up to date with what we and our teams are up to.

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THIS IS THE SPORT WHERE EVERYONE CAN BECOME A PROFESSIONAL CHANGEMAKER

The sport of robotics started in 1989 with the founding of FIRST®. In 2017, it was launched worldwide through FIRST Global. Now, it’s an international movement in nearly 200 countries. By making science and technology as exciting as any other sport, we’re inspiring a generation of STEM leaders who will use their skills to make a difference.

MOVIE INSPIRED BY FIRST GLOBAL TEAM AFGHANISTAN

Meet FIRST Global Team Afghanistan, the group of girls whose story inspired the documentary “Afghan Dreamers” and the movie “Rule Breakers.”

OUR VISION

EMPOWER THE GLOBE’S TWO BILLION YOUNG PEOPLE TO COOPERATIVELY SOLVE THE WORLD’S CHALLENGES THROUGH STEM

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE

ATTEND

 the FIRST Global Challenge.

MENTOR

 youth in technical proficiency.

VOLUNTEER

 at our international event.

EDUCATE

 STEM students worldwide.

SPONSOR

 our global impact.

DONATE

 to our vision.

ATTEND

 the FIRST Global Challenge.

MENTOR

 youth in technical proficiency.

VOLUNTEER

 at our international event.

EDUCATE

 STEM students worldwide.

SUPPORT

 our global impact.

DONATE

 to our vision.

We’ve gathered so many problem solvers here to overcome any challenge. We have future engineers, future doctors, future scientists, future inventors coming together and coming up with solutions that will help everyone around the globe. It gives me great joy and pride to be part of this community. — Anousheh Ansari, CEO of XPRIZE Foundation and FIRST Global Supporter I believe that with STEM, every girl is capable of solving any problem. Participating in this competition means a lot to me because, through this, I get to encourage other female youth in my country that we are not to limit ourselves. We can do whatever we plan, provided we are determined. — Jessica, Team Ghana 2019 123 female-majority or all-girl teams since 2017 This is just as much fun as any other sport, but it can change your life. We get the best of what we celebrate, so let's celebrate science and technology and give every kid that opportunity. The world is in desperate need of solutions. We have to create the next generation of problem solvers and give them the vision, courage, and
skillsets to want to work together
to solve those problems. — Dean Kamen, FIRST Global Founder This is just as much fun as any other sport, but it can change your life. We get the best of what we celebrate,
so let's celebrate science and technology and give every kid
that opportunity. The world is
in desperate need of solutions.
We have to create the next generation of problem solvers
and give them the vision,
courage, and skillsets to
want to work together
to solve those
problems.

SOME INSPIRATION FOR YOU

FIRST Global Transformed My Life; Now I Volunteer
FIRST Global Transformed My Life; Now I Volunteer

Former students from Brazil, Albania, and the United States of America share how FIRST Global impacted their lives — and why they return each year to give back as volunteers. A Life-Changing Moment For Luiz Costa, the course of his life changed in 2017 inside…

READ MORE →

The Mentors Building Our Future — Transforming Lives in Haiti and Honduras
The Mentors Building Our Future — Transforming Lives in Haiti and Honduras

In communities with few opportunities, dedicated mentors are helping students not only build robots—but reshape their futures. The Power of an Opportunity At the heart of FIRST Global are mentors—quiet heroes who guide, inspire, and sacrifice to help young people realize their full potential. For…

READ MORE →

Displaced but Undeterred: How Team Sudan Rebuilt Hope with a Robot Named Azza
Displaced but Undeterred: How Team Sudan Rebuilt Hope with a Robot Named Azza

Composed of refugee students and mentors living across nine countries, Team Sudan overcame immense obstacles to represent their nation on the world stage. Under a starlit sky, Maab and her brother Mostafa stood at the border of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the desert air still…

READ MORE →

FIRST Global Alumni Becoming Mentors – Keeghan
FIRST Global Alumni Becoming Mentors – Keeghan

Seeds planted by FIRST Global in the hearts of students are blossoming into leaders who are entrepreneurs, advocates, and mentors just six years after the inaugural FIRST Global Challenge. Here is the story of Keeghan. Keeghan from Saint Lucia “I think it inspired what I became today—a mechanical engineer…

READ MORE →

FIRST Global Transformed My Life; Now I Volunteer
FIRST Global Transformed My Life; Now I Volunteer

Former students from Brazil, Albania, and the United States of America share how FIRST Global impacted their lives — and why they return each year to give back as volunteers. A Life-Changing Moment For Luiz Costa, the course of his life changed in 2017 inside…

The Mentors Building Our Future — Transforming Lives in Haiti and Honduras
The Mentors Building Our Future — Transforming Lives in Haiti and Honduras

In communities with few opportunities, dedicated mentors are helping students not only build robots—but reshape their futures. The Power of an Opportunity At the heart of FIRST Global are mentors—quiet heroes who guide, inspire, and sacrifice to help young people realize their full potential. For…

Displaced but Undeterred: How Team Sudan Rebuilt Hope with a Robot Named Azza
Displaced but Undeterred: How Team Sudan Rebuilt Hope with a Robot Named Azza

Composed of refugee students and mentors living across nine countries, Team Sudan overcame immense obstacles to represent their nation on the world stage. Under a starlit sky, Maab and her brother Mostafa stood at the border of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the desert air still…

FIRST Global Alumni Becoming Mentors – Keeghan
FIRST Global Alumni Becoming Mentors – Keeghan

Seeds planted by FIRST Global in the hearts of students are blossoming into leaders who are entrepreneurs, advocates, and mentors just six years after the inaugural FIRST Global Challenge. Here is the story of Keeghan. Keeghan from Saint Lucia “I think it inspired what I became today—a mechanical engineer…

IN THE NEWS

  • Kenya’s innovation story is being rewritten by young minds shaping the future through technology. In this episode of Take on Tech, KBC follows Team Kenya at the FIRST Global Robotics Challenge 2025 in Panama, where over 190 countries competed under the theme Eco Equilibrium. Back......

  • The entrepreneur Roya Mahboob is building off-line apps, underground networks and a global robotics team to educate Afghan girls unable to attend school. Ms. Mahboob, 37, is now redoubling her efforts from abroad. She has reassembled the Afghan Dreamers, the all-girls robotics team she helped......

  • n October this year, five students from modest government schools packed their bags and boarded a flight to Panama City. They were on their way to represent India at the FIRST Global Challenge — an international robotics competition featuring teams from 193 countries. Their journey......

PRESS
South Korea to Host 190+ National Teams at the 2026 FIRST Global Challenge: Robotics’ Premier Global Competition

South Korea to Host 190+ National Teams at the 2026 FIRST Global Challenge: Robotics’ Premier Global Competition

WASHINGTON, DC – March 4th – FIRST Global, the nonprofit dedicated to advancing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education through organizing the world’s most international robotics competition, is proud to announce that the 2026 FIRST Global Challenge will take place in Incheon, Republic of…