For the 18th year in a row, RoboJackets will be hosting a Local Kickoff for FIRST® Robotics Competition teams on January 10th, 2026. Teams are required to register on the FIRST website for the kickoff.
The kickoff will consist of guest speakers, live kickoff broadcast, and workshops to begin the 2026 FIRST® REBUILTTM season. The event will begin with team check-in at 9:00 AM to turn in release forms and receive wristbands.
Workshops will be hosted before the kickoff presentation from 9:30 AM-10:30 AM at the Georgia Tech Instructional Center. The kickoff presentation will take place in the Ferst Center For The Arts starting at 11:00 AM. After the FIRST Kickoff Broadcast, we’ll be doing KOP distribution.
Please check this page before coming to the event as any updated information will be posted here.
Live Stream
We will be streaming the local kickoff ceremony on the RoboJackets YouTube channel.
Schedule
All times listed are in EST and are subject to change.
Saturday, January 10, 2026
| Time | Event | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 AM to 11:00 AM | Check-In | Ferst Center Lobby | Please bring all required release forms to receive wristbands for each attendee |
| 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM | Workshops | Instructional Center | Wristbands are required to enter. Find more details about the workshops we offer below. |
| 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM | RJ Robots Showcase | Ferst Center Lobby | Wristbands required to enter |
| 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Local Kickoff Ceremony | Ferst Center Theatre | Wristbands required to enter |
| 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM | FIRST Kickoff Broadcast | Ferst Center Theatre | Wristbands required to enter |
| 12:45 PM to 2:00 PM | Kit of Parts Distribution | Ferst Center Loading Dock | Please bring 2 team members and a mentor to pick up the KoP. At least one person picking up the KoP must be 18 years or older and have a valid photo ID. |
Forms
These forms are required for in-person attendance; please ensure each student has printed out and had a parent complete their release before leaving for kickoff!
It will be ideal to have a mentor collect the forms outside the Instructional Center and bring them inside to check-in while limiting people inside the building. Each attendee needs to have their completed release form turned in or they won’t be able to enter the theater or participate in workshops.
This is parental release is required for all student minors:
This image release is required for ALL kickoff attendees:
Parking Instructions
Attendees should park in the nearest visitor parking lots to the Ferst Center. There have been recent changes to the GT campus nearby so please review closely:
- Visitor Area 3: Student Center Deck (W02) – Please use this lot for parking of cars, there is a low height requirement for the deck (6’6″) – Will cost $10 per vehicle.
- Visitor Area 2: Ferst Drive and Student Center – Please use this lot for parking of larger vehicles/vans – Will cost $2/hour with a 4 hour limit.
- Bus Parking – There will be parking located on campus for teams who indicate they will arrive on campus in a school bus.
Workshops
These workshops will be hosted in-person at the 2026 kickoff. In the meantime, feel free to check out the presentation materials from previous years linked below!
| Workshop | Description | In-Person Location | Slides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | This workshop will introduce you to common mechanical systems from the FRC world and when to use them. You will learn how to select, construct, and implement these mechanisms to approach any new FRC game; audience participation is encouraged! | Instructional Center 105 | |
| Electrical | An introduction to FRC electrical components! | Instructional Center 109 | |
| Software/Java | An introduction to Java and how to get started programming your FRC robot! | Instructional Center 115 | Here |
| Strategy/Scouting | Learn the basics of scouting other teams and putting together a strategy for matches! | Instructional Center 205 | |
| Getting the Most from FIRST | More info coming soon! | Instructional Center 209 |
*Note: You will not need the Kit of Parts or tools for the workshops; there will be no building component. Please see here for guidance on assembling last year’s KoP chassis and here for help wiring an FRC electrical system.
Kit of Parts Pickup Map
Note: Please do not drive up to the loading dock. Park in the connected lot and carry your KOP from the loading dock to your vehicle.
For GPS use, search for “Howey Physics Building” or enter 837 State St NW, Atlanta, GA 30332.
Contact Info
If you have any questions, please contact Dylan Park at dylan.park@robojackets.org.
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