14 Event Rules (E)
The rules below apply throughout an event, i.e. from when Load-In begins to when Load-Out is complete.
Additional rule specific violations, if applicable, are listed with their corresponding rule.
Universal Violation Note: A violation of any Event Rule will result in a VERBAL WARNING. Egregious or subsequent violations will be addressed by the Head
FIRST is committed to STEM for Everyone™ and as such, FIRST strives to make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities that request accommodation. If a participant needs an accommodation for an event, we ask that they talk to a volunteer at the event or contact their local leadership before the event so they can ensure the request is addressed. Accommodations are considered reasonable if they do not create an undue hardship, cause safety concerns, or fundamentally alter the nature of the event.
Rules around safety and security within this section are minimum requirements, and Program Delivery Partners are able to implement increased restrictions due to local or venue requirements (e.g. requiring badging for all attendees, reserving seating for accessibility, etc.). Partners should communicate additional local requirements early enough to allow teams to plan.
Safety is always paramount, and many rules are intended to establish norms at each event that will mitigate injury risk to all participants.
Event staff have the final decision authority for all safety-related issues within a venue.
14.1 General Rules
E101 *Personal safety comes first.
All team members must observe the following safety practices throughout the event:
A. wear safety glasses (only ANSI-approved, UL Listed, CE EN166 rated, AS/NZS certified, or CSA rated non-shaded) while in and around the playing
B. wear closed toed/heeled shoes.
C. tie back long hair while working on or around a
D. wear appropriate clothing.
E. walk in the venue
F. health and safety requirements in place for that event (e.g. mask wearing).
For more information about safety at FIRST Robotics Competition events, please reference the Safety Manual.
E102 *Be nice.
All participants must be gracious and professional at all times while attending FIRST Robotics Competition events. Uncivil behavior toward any participants is not tolerated.
Examples of inappropriate behavior include, but are not limited to
A. use of offensive language or other uncivil conduct,
B. intentionally blocking the view of other participants or spectators for an extended period (team members momentarily holding up team signs while directly supporting their team is not considered a violation of this rule.), and
C. jamming or interfering with the remote sensing capabilities of a
Examples of remote sensing capabilities include, but are not limited to, vision systems, acoustic range finders, sonars, and infrared proximity sensors.
Use of imagery that, to a reasonably astute observer, mimics the AprilTags employed on the
Examples of particularly contemptible behavior that may result in ejection from the event include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. assault, e.g. throwing something that hits another person (even if unintended),
B. threat, e.g. saying something like “if you don’t reverse that call, I’ll make you regret it,”
C. harassment, e.g. badgering someone with no new information after a decision’s been made or a question’s been answered,
D. bullying, e.g. using body or verbal language to cause another person to feel inadequate,
E. insulting, e.g. telling someone they don’t deserve to be on a team,
F. swearing at another person (versus swearing under one’s breath or at oneself), and
G. yelling at another person(s) in anger or frustration.
E103 *Children with adults, please.
Children under 12 must be accompanied in the pits by an adult at all times.
E104 *Respect the venue.
Teams may not damage the venue, including but not limited to bleachers, floors, walls, railings, etc., in any way.
E105 *Teams must check in.
An adult team member must check in at the Pit Administration station no later than 90 minutes before Qualification
Event check-in takes place at the Pit Administration station the evening before and/or the first morning of each event.
Once a team’s consent and release forms are submitted at Pit Administration, each team will receive their DRIVE TEAM & Safety Captain buttons.
E106 *Some event resources for event teams only.
Only teams registered for an event may use that event’s Competition
E107 *Work in designated areas only.
At the event venue, teams may only produce FABRICATED ITEMS as follows:
A. in their pit area,
B. in another team’s pit area with permission from that team,
C. while queued for a
D. any area designated by Event Staff (e.g. Playoff Pit Area, etc.), or
E. as permitted at provided machine shops that are available to all teams.
E108 *Some things don’t belong at events.
Do not bring or use the following:
A. skateboards
B. ‘hoverboards’
C. drones
D. bottled gas tanks (e.g. helium)
E. noisy devices or noisemakers, such as floor stompers, whistles and/or air horns
F. walkie-talkies
G. scooters, except for those used for accommodations
H. any item with bright lights which flash faster than approximately 5 times per second
E109 *Don’t arrange for additional utilities.
Do not arrange for power, internet access, or phone lines from venue service providers or attempt to use venue internet connections reserved for event purposes (e.g. the
E110 *Don’t sell stuff.
Teams may not conduct sales at an event. This includes, but is not limited to, raffle tickets, food, hats, shirts, candy, water, soft drinks, fruit, or any promotional products.
E111 *Don’t give out food.
Teams may not distribute food to others at an event.
E112 *Make FIRST loud, but with restrictions.
Do not invite or bring live bands to play in the audience. Do not play loud music.
E113 *Hang banners with care.
Be respectful when hanging your banners.
A. Do not cover or move other team or sponsor signs already in place.
B. Share the available space fairly with other teams.
C. Do not obstruct the view of spectators.
D. Get permission from the Event Coordinator before hanging banners outside of your pit.
E. Hang signs and banners in a safe manner.
F. Banners hung outside team pits must not be larger than 25ft2 (2.3m2).
We encourage teams to bring team flags and/or signs for display in their pits and/or the playing
To find your Event Coordinator, inquire at the Pit Administration desk.
Respect venue-specific rules regarding sign location and hanging methods. At the end of the event, safely remove all signs and anything used to hang the signs (tape, string, etc.).
E114 *Limit flag and flagpole size.
Flags and flagpoles may not be of unreasonable size and weight.
As a guideline, reasonable flags are less than 36.0in by 60.0in (91.44cm by 1.524m) in size and weigh less than 2.0lb (0.91kg). Reasonable flagpoles may not be more than 96.0in (2.438m) long and weigh less than 3.0lb (1.4kg).
E115 *No firearms.
Firearms are prohibited at all FIRST events for all FIRST programs, including without limitation, all official FIRST Events posted here. This policy does not apply to law enforcement or venue security personnel.
E116 *Only COTS batteries allowed.
Teams may only bring
E117 *Do not record anyone at the event without their consent.
Do not record interactions with anyone at an event, without the person’s consent. FIRST event staff and volunteers are empowered to excuse themselves from an interaction in which they are being recorded after declining consent.
Please note that many FIRST events are livestreamed and FIRST participants have given permission to appear in footage from FIRST. This does not mean that people can record specific interactions without additional consent.
Laws regarding recording of conversations vary state-to-state and country-to country, and, in some cases, recording without consent may be criminal. Introducing the idea of recording a conversation with an implied reason of proving someone’s error can escalate a discussion and is likely to increase its adversarial nature.
E118 *Enter only 1 ROBOT.
Each registered FIRST Robotics Competition team may enter only 1
“Entering” a
While “most of its drive base” is a subjective assessment, for the purposes of this rule, an assembly whose drive base is missing all wheels/treads, gearboxes, and belts/chains is not considered a “
This rule does not prohibit teams from bringing in
14.2 Machine Shops
Some events host a machine shop, open during specific hours (see the event’s agenda), to help teams with repair and fabrication of their
In most cases, the machine shop is on site and readily accessible to all teams. If a team attends an event where the Machine Shop is off-site, volunteers are in place to transport the
E201 *The ROBOT goes alone to off-site machine shops.
Team members may not travel to off-site machine shops with the
Teams may travel to the off-site machine shop on their own, either by walking or using their own vehicle, but all
14.3 Wireless Rules
E301 *No wireless communication.
Teams may not set up their own 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be wireless communication (e.g. access points or ad-hoc networks) in the venue.
A wireless hot spot created by a cellular device, camera, smart TV, etc. is considered an access point.
Some smart TVs have access points enabled by factory default. Please make sure that functionality is
E302 *Don’t interfere with wireless networks.
Participants may not interfere, attempt to interfere, or attempt to connect with any other team or FIRST wireless communication except as expressly allowed for purposes of communicating with their team’s
Teams are encouraged to report suspected wireless security vulnerabilities to the FIRST Technical Advisor (
E303 *Tethered operation outside FIELDS/PRACTICE AREAS.
14.4 Load-In
Events set specific time frames, published on the event’s schedule, in which teams are invited to load their
Load-In can be stressful for teams and volunteers, which can be mitigated by preparation and planning. Unanticipated factors, like traffic or weather, can change a team’s scheduled arrival time, making the process difficult. The most important things a team should remember are to be safe, gracious, and professional.
E401 *Load in during Load-In.
Teams must load in the
A. raw stock
B. OPERATOR CONSOLES,
C.
D. 3D printed parts
E. gearboxes attached to associated motor(s)
F. exceptional circumstances that result in a team not being able to make the Load-In time and has made arrangements with Event Management.
Public Schedules can be found in the additional info section via the Team & Event Search.
There are no rules that explicitly restrict items that may be brought into the venue during the designated Load-In period. During Load-In, teams are not limited to a single trip, and are encouraged to be as efficient and safe as possible.
E402 *Load-In person limit is 6.
Only 6 team members (one of which must be an adult) may be in the pit area during any Load-In period prior to pits opening.
E403 *Load-In Restrictions.
The only team permitted activities during load in periods prior to pits opening are:
A. bringing materials into their pit area,.
B.
C. Early Pit Setup (if available at your event).
E404 *Pit must be left in a safe state.
Teams must have their pits in a safe state by the time pits close (even if some tasks are left undone).
E405 *Once done, head out.
Unless assisting other teams, teams must leave the venue once finished delivering materials (or, in the case of Early Pit Setup, when setup is complete) prior to pits opening.
If an event has designated Early Pit Setup times both the evening before and the morning before pits officially open, a team may use both periods for Load-In and setup, but per this rule must leave once pit setup is complete.
14.5 Pits
A team pit is the designated space, usually 120.0in by 120.0in by 120.0in (3.048m x 3.048m x 3.048m), where a team may work on their
Teams, volunteers, FIRST staff, and guests spend a lot of time in the pits. Get to know other teams and help each other when you can. Time is short and help is very often right "next door" in the adjacent team pits.
Small, bench-top machinery, with appropriate guards, is permitted in team pits. ‘Small’ machinery is machinery that can be easily lifted by one person and examples include, but are not limited to, small band saws, drill presses, desktop CNC mills, and sanders.
E501 *Pits are unavailable if closed.
Teams may not be in their team pit outside the designated pit hours.
E502 *Stay in your pit.
Teams should set up their allowed equipment fully within their assigned pit space. Teams may not:
A. run power or internet lines from their team pit to any other area except as instructed or allowed by the event,
B. swap team pits with other teams, or
C. move themselves to empty team pits without approval.
E503 *Keep aisles clear.
Aisles must be kept clear.
E504 *No sparks or flames.
Tools that throw sparks or produce open flames are prohibited.
Examples of tools that violate this rule include, but are not limited to, welders, bench and angle grinders, gas torches, etc.
E505 *Nothing too big.
Floor standing power tools are prohibited.
Examples include but are not limited to full-size drill presses, band saws, and table saws.
E506 *No brazing or welding.
Brazing/welding is prohibited.
E507 *Solder with specific tools only.
Soldering may be done using an electric iron/gun only.
E508 *Structures must be safe.
Teams may not build any structure that supports people or stores items overhead.
E509 *Secure team identification assets.
Team signs, flags, and displays must be securely mounted to the pit structure.
E510 *No automated tools overnight.
Teams may not run a 3D printer or other automated manufacturing process overnight in the pit.
E511 *Pit Power Limit.
Power to team pits is often shared between multiple teams. Team pits that are causing breakers to trip may be asked to reduce power consumption.
14.6 TEST AREAS and PRACTICE AREAS
FIRST Robotics Competition events have TEST AREAS. TEST AREAS are areas at events where teams can test their
FIRST provides a recommended layout, but events may need to tweak exact placement depending on the space available in the venue. Teams may not relocate elements from their original locations. The layout is specifically intended to discourage testing of complex
FIRST provides a small set of production run AprilTags for the TEST AREAS. The tags provided for the 2026 TEST AREA will include tags 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 16. Teams that wish to use other AprilTag IDs for the TEST AREA may print copies of other tags to bring to events but should not remove the provided tags. Printable copies of the
HUMAN PLAYERS are welcome to practice throwing
Although some events may also provide PRACTICE AREAS, many do not have the space or resources to provide long full
E601 *Inspection for TEST & PRACTICE AREAS.
A team may only use the designated TEST AREAS and PRACTICE AREAS with a
E602 *Practice only when/where permitted.
Teams may only practice with their
Teams may not set up their own practice equipment outside their pit. When practicing in their pit, safety must remain the top priority. If Event Management determines a pit practice setup is unsafe or interferes with activity in adjacent pits or aisles, the team must discontinue the activity.
E603 *TEST/PRACTICE AREA attendance is limited.
Only team members actively working on the
The intent of this rule is to limit the number of people directly next to
Teams may have additional team members watching from a distance, provided the venue has space, but those members should be a safe distance from all
E604 *Give ROBOTS space.
When using a tether on TEST AREAS and PRACTICE AREAS, teams must keep a safe distance from all
Generally, a safe distance is ~72.0in (~1.83m) from the
E605 *Be ready to DISABLE.
Teams must be ready to DISABLE their
E606 *Be safe.
G102 and G103 also apply at the TEST AREAS and PRACTICE AREAS.
14.7 ROBOT Carts
Most teams use carts to transport their
E701 *Carts must be safe and easy to use.
Carts must be easy to
E702 *Carts shouldn’t be too big.
Carts must fit through a standard 30.0in (76.2cm) door.
E703 *Carts can’t park anywhere.
Carts must remain in the team pit (or cart staging area if during a
E704 *No noisy carts.
Carts may not be equipped with music or other sound-generating devices, except for devices of reasonable volume used for safety purposes (e.g. to make others in the vicinity aware that a
E705 *No motor driven carts.
E706 *Small ROBOT carts are allowed on the FIELD.
14.8 Ceremonies
At every event, there are Opening and Closing Ceremonies to show honor and respect for represented countries, sponsors, teams, mentors, volunteers, and award winners. Ceremonies provide everyone with the opportunity to collectively applaud the successes of all participants. They also give teams a chance to "meet" the volunteers and other people and sponsors involved with the event. Closing Ceremony elements at the end of the event are integrated into and presented between Playoff
At the Awards Ceremony, FIRST presents trophies and medallions to outstanding teams. All team members are encouraged to attend the ceremonies, be punctual, and show appreciation to volunteers that staffed the event.
E801 *If in the pits during Ceremonies, shhhhhh.
During Ceremonies outside of Playoff
A. use power tools,
B. use loud hand tools (hammers, saws, etc.), or
C. shout, yell, or use loud voices, unless as a demonstration of approval during a ceremonial activity.
E802 *Pit person limit during Ceremonies is 5.
No more than 5 team members may be in the pits during Ceremonies outside of Playoff
E803 *Be respectful during anthems.
Team members, including any remaining in the pits, should exhibit peaceful behavior during the presentation of all national anthems. Traditionally, team members stand to face the flag, remove hats, and either sing along or maintain a respectful silence during the anthems of all nations present at the event. If team members wish to abstain, they have a right to do so, as long as they remain silent and non-disruptive.
14.9 In the Stands
E901 *No saving seats.
Teams are not permitted to save or designate seats for team members that are not present.
Teams may not hang banners or ribbons or otherwise designate seating. (Event staff will remove and discard any banners, roping, etc., used to designate seating.) Please take turns sitting in the bleachers/stands if seating is limited. If there is a crowding problem, we ask that you kindly leave after your team's
Event management may reserve seats for attendees who require accommodations.
E902 *Don’t throw items from the stands.
Items may not be thrown from audience seating.