Regional vs District: How Your Region Changes the Math

Two competition models, two budgets#

FRC runs two parallel competition structures, and which one your area uses dramatically changes your travel and event costs.

The Regional Model#

In the Regional Model, each Regional is an independent, usually large-scale event. Your season registration includes one Regional, and you can pay $3,200 for each additional Regional. Teams qualify for the FIRST Championship from Regional events mainly through a points-based system: teams that accumulate the most points at their event (from matches and awards) earn a direct qualifying slot, and teams that don't qualify at their own event are ranked in a season-long 'Regional Pool' (based on points from their first two events) that fills additional spots weekly. Winning the FIRST Impact Award no longer guarantees a Championship berth on its own — a team that wins it without otherwise qualifying is instead offered a remote interview for an at-large spot. Regionals tend to be bigger, more expensive to produce, and often involve more travel because there may be only one or two in your state.

The District Model#

The District Model is built like a tiered sports playoff. Your season registration includes two smaller, local District events. You earn district ranking points at those events, and the top teams advance to the District Championship, which then qualifies teams for the FIRST Championship. Districts include systems like FIRST in Michigan (FiM), FIRST Mid-Atlantic (FMA), New England (NE FIRST), FIRST in Texas (FiT), Israel, and others.

Why districts were created: cost#

A primary driver behind the District Model was lowering the cost of playing time. Localized event production can cut event-management costs, and an entire region's worth of district events can run for less per team than one large Regional. For teams, more events closer to home means two competition events for one registration price and far less travel and lodging expense.

What this means for your fundraising plan#

• If you are in a district: budget for two local events plus a possible District Championship, with relatively modest travel. Your per-event cost of competing is usually lower.
• If you are in a regional area: budget for one included Regional, decide whether a second Regional ($3,200 + travel) is worth it, and expect higher travel costs to reach events.

Find out which model you are in#

Check the FIRST 'District & Regional Teams' resource and your region's page on firstinspires.org. Knowing your model lets you set accurate fundraising targets and explain to sponsors exactly what their dollars buy: 'Your $3,000 sends us to a second event where dozens of teams and hundreds of attendees will see your logo.'