FIRST Robotics Competition
ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL
Feb 26-Mar 1, 2025 | Costa Mesa, CA
ORANGE COUNTY FAIR & EVENTS CENTER | 88 Fair Dr.
The Orange County Regional
Dubbed a varsity Sport for the Mind,™ FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology.
Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of high school students are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program a robot to go head to head against a field of competitors. It’s as close to “real world” engineering as a student can get.
Join the Fun!
At the Orange County Regional, 1,300+ high school students and 47 of their life-sized robots (plus hundreds of volunteers and mentors) will convene to measure the effectiveness of their innovations & test the power of collaboration.
Spectators welcome! Catch the excitement of this intense competition, tour the pits to visit with teams and robots, and cheer on their favorite teams. Admission is free.
Teams at the Orange County Regional will vie for regional awards and a spot at the FIRST Championship which will be help in April in Houston, Texas. The competition is part of FIRST, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology.
FIRST Robotics Competition – Orange County Regional
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Orange County Regional – 2024
This year’s Orange County Regional FIRST Robotics Competition, held at the OC Fair & Event Center, was a great success! With 48 teams participating, the weekend went smoothly, despite a messy, rainy final day of competition. Marie Castelo, of longtime regional...
Orange County Regional – 2023
Congratulations to all Teams PLUS all the Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members from all over California, plus Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho and England who participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition Orange County Regional from March 9-12,...
2024 / 2025 Season Theme
FIRST DIVE presented by Qualcomm
During the 2024-2025 FIRST season, FIRST® DIVE℠ presented by Qualcomm, teams will use their STEM and collaboration skills to explore life beneath the surface of the ocean.
Along the way, we’ll uncover the potential in each of us to strengthen our community and innovate for a better world with healthy oceans. Join us as we explore the future.
2025 Game
In REEFSCAPE℠ presented by Haas, a new challenge launching January 4, 2025, FIRST Robotics Competition teams will use their engineering skills to strengthen one of the ocean’s most diverse habitats – making waves to build a better world.
Resources for Teams
2025 Season
VENUE FOOD POLICY:
There is no parking lot “tailgating,” and no commercial food is allowed at the venue (this includes any prepared food that is purchased and brought in or delivered). Teams may bring personal sack lunches prepared at home. There is a large outdoor area adjacent to our event space where teams can gather to eat lunch.
Please make sure you communicate this to all of team members and parents. If we violate this rule we could jeopardize being able to hold the Orange County Regional at this venue in the future.
FOOD TRUCKS:
A variety of food trucks will be on site Thursday, Friday, Saturday. They will have different schedules. The schedule below is tentative and subject to change. Some are willing to take preorders for your convenience. Please see attached menus.
| Truck | Timing | Timing | Timing | |||
| Dezzertaholic | Thurs | 8am-3 | Friday | 8am-3 | Saturday | 8am-3 |
| Empanada Maker | Thurs | 11-3 | Friday |
11-3 |
Saturday |
11-3 |
| Italian BBQ | Thurs |
11-3 |
Friday |
11-3 |
Saturday |
11-3 |
| Messi Burgers | Thurs |
11-3 |
Friday |
11-3 |
Saturday |
11-3 |
PRE-ORDER BOX LUNCHES:
To make feeding your teams easier there are also pre-order box lunches available for Thurs, Fri and Sat from the OC Fair & Event Center.
If you would like to purchase pre-order lunches for your team, please complete the attached order form (we recommend submitting a separate page for each day of the competition if you are ordering for more than one day) and submit it to the email address on the form no later than 4pm on Feb 21,2025.
Information on box lunch pick up will be available at pit admin. The venue catering office is also willing to arrange group lunches for your team if that is of interest.
Please contact Gregory.Quick@oakviewgroup.com for more information.
2025
Load In:
- Pit load in will be available Wednesday, Feb 26th, from 6PM to 8PM and Thursday, Feb 27th, from 7:45AM to 8:30AM.
- Teams will enter through Parking Lot 8 and follow signs and volunteers to the designated Load In area.
- As in the past, pits may be set up during load in, but robots may NOT be worked on.
- As always, teams are limited to five (5) team members and must include one adult as part of the 5 members, in proper safety attire (safety glasses, closed-toe shoes, hair secured, etc.)
Traffic Plan Map:
Parking:
General Parking will be $12/vehicle each day, Thurs-Sat. In and out parking is allowed. No camping or overnight stay will be allowed.
2025
Our event will be at the Orange County Fair and Event Center.
The general entrance for load-in and subsequent days will be Gate 8 located on Arlington Drive.
A map of the fairground is attached or search for Orange County Fair and Event Center, Feb 27 – Mar 1. The site address is: 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Parking:
General Parking will be $12/vehicle each day, Thurs – Sat. In and out parking is allowed. No camping or overnight stay will be allowed.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
WAYS TO SPONSOR
SUPPORT THE ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL
To discuss sponsorship opportunities and benefits of sponsorship, please contact FIRST California Senior Regional Director, David Berggren, through the Contact Form at the bottom of this page.
For 30 years, FIRST® volunteers have fueled the mission by inspiring millions of young people to reach for the stars. You are part of a global support system we’ve built for students who need a spark of curiosity and encouragement to launch their dreams. Together, we’re inspiring the next generation of innovators, technology leaders, and change-makers here on Earth – and beyond.
Volunteer Opportunities!
Non-Technical and Technical Roles Available
EXAMPLES OF ROLES
APPLY TO VOLUNTEER
- Create an account in the FIRST Dashboard – click here to apply.
- Click the Volunteer Registration tab & choose ‘Volunteer at an Event’.
- Filter events by location/ program and select Orange County Regional.
- Choose up to five roles and apply.
- Complete your required youth protection background screening (US & Canada).
You will receive an email from your local event coordinator if you are assigned to a volunteer role.
LET’S CONNECT!
ORANGE COUNTY REGIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA