FIRST Robotics Competition
SAN DIEGO
20th Annual California District Qualifying Event
presented by Qualcomm
March 20-22, 2026 | San Diego, CA
FRANCIS PARKER HIGH SCHOOL
YEARS IN SAN DIEGO
ROBOTS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Countdown!
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The Ultimate Sport for the MindTM
Starting with a Kit of Parts, teams of high school students design, program, and build industrial-sized robots to play an action-packed game, released in January. They compete on a themed field as part of a three-team alliance in the spirit of Coopertition®.
In 360-degree learning guided by adult mentors, each FIRST Robotics Competition team also creates a team identity, raises funds to meet its goals, and advances appreciation for STEM in its community.
Join the Fun!
March 21-22, 2026
The California District San Diego Qualifying Event is a high-energy, high-tech spectator sporting event where teams, professionals and young people together solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way. The program is life-changing, career-molding and a lot of fun.
Spectators welcome Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22, 2026! 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 will vie for awards and a spot at the FIRST California Southern State Championship. 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 is Fueled By Volunteers
For 35+ 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.
A Volunteer Role for Everyone!
Non-Technical and Technical Roles Available
EXAMPLES OF ROLES:
Field Reset, Volunteer Check, Practice Field Attendant, Replacement Parts, Robot Inspector and more!
Get Live Scan Fingerprinted at San Diego
To volunteer in Califonia, this is a requirement.
Saturday: 3/21/26 – 8am-10am
Welcome to FIRST® AGE™ presented by Qualcomm, our 2025-2026 robotics season inspired by archaeology.
In REBUILT™ presented by Haas, a new challenge releasing January 10, 2026, FIRST Robotics Competition teams will use engineering skills and re-imagine the past.
PRESS
Media Coverage
California FIRST Robotics Competition Teams: Behind the Bots
Go inside the journey of these California teams – their challenges, breakthroughs, and spirit. These are just a few of the many powerful stories unfolding across our FIRST community statewide.
FIRST Robotics Competition Team 9452, LHS Steel Stingers
Lincoln High School in San Diego, California
FIRST Robotics Competition Teams
Poway Unified School District in San Diego County, California
Thank You To Our Partners
TITLE SPONSOR
WAYS TO SPONSOR
SUPPORT THE SAN DIEGO QUALIFYING EVENT
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.
San Diego Regional – 2023
The 17th Annual San Diego FIRST Robotics Competition presented by Qualcomm, held March 23-26, 2023, was another great success! The event featured 50 teams and 1,500+ students from local San Diego high schools plus through other California cities, Switzerland, Turkey...
San Diego Regional presented by Qualcomm – 2022
Congratulations to the 54 Teams PLUS all the Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the San Diego FIRST Robotics Regional Competition presented by Qualcomm from March 17-20, 2022. In addition to the excitement of of competition...
13th Annual San Diego FIRST Robotics Regional presented by Qualcomm – 2019
Congratulations to the 47 Teams from California, Hawaii, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Chinese Taipei and the Netherlands PLUS Mentors, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Family members who participated in the 13th Annual San Diego FIRST Robotics Regional...
Resources for Teams
Coming soon!
Load In vehicles must use the North Rim Court entrance.
Free Underground Parking: Use Linda Vista Rd entrance for underground, on-campus parking.
- low clearance
- no trailers
Overflow Parking: San Diego County Office of Education
- no trailers
- no overnight parking
- use pedestrian gate to access Francis Parker campus
Food Trucks, Concession Stand and a Coffee Cart!
ADA ACCESS:
Please contact David at dberggren@firstinspires.org prior to your arrival if you need any special assistance.
LET’S CONNECT!
FIRST CALIFORNIA SOCIAL MEDIA
SAN DIEGO FIRST SOCIAL MEDIA