Click the circles to advance through the season calendar. This list has mostly been updated for the 2018 season but all dates are subject to change.
Skills Development
Prior to the team’s season (basically any time ahead of the August Challenge kickoff), the team can get together and work on their skills. Here are some ideas from our coaches.
National Team Registration opens early May
The primary coach or team manager (purchaser) can register a team with FIRST for the season. Learn more
Challenge Kits Arrive starting August 1st
The official challenge (aka field setup) kits begin arriving to FIRST registered teams. Teams will also get access to the building instructions in early August.
Global Challenge Release: August 1 @ 9am
FIRST LEGO League will release the Challenge to all teams at 9AM Pacific Time. This includes all robot game details, project information, and team expectations for the season. Check the FIRST LEGO League website on this date to get the materials.
NorCal Season Kickoff Events: tbd
We have not yet decided if there will be a kickoff event this season due to the early Challenge release for 2018.
Interested in hosting a kickoff? Let us know via fll at playingatlearning dot org email.
NorCal Rookie Coach Webinar – Preparing for the Season: early September
National Team Registration Closes
Sometime in mid to late September, FIRST team registration will close.
NorCal Rookie Coach Webinar – Preparing for Tournament: early October
NorCal General Tournament Registration Opens: early October
For teams that have completed their tournament registration requirements but did not register during the early bird tournament registration, they can register starting in October. The remaining half of the tournament slots will open AND teams will be able to register in any district.
NorCal Scrimmages: late October
Locally organized scrimmages usually happen in October. It is a great benefit for all teams – learn how to organize a scrimmage.
NorCal Qualifier Tournaments
Each team will register to participate in 1 of 35 to 40 qualifier tournaments in November spread throughout the NorCal region. The dates for the 2018 season are November 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18. 2018 Qualifier Tournament information link coming soon.
NorCal Championship Tournaments
Four district championships will be scheduled between December and March. Details coming by ~October.
NorCal Innovation Expo
After the NorCal FLL Championships and before mid-March, we will hold a NorCalFLL Innovation Expo to select which teams will represent our region into the Global Innovation Award.
FIRST LEGO League Tournament @ Bay Area Maker Faire : May 17-19, 2019
Each year, NorCal FLL invites teams to compete at a special tournament at the Bay Area Maker Faire.
FIRST Invitational Tournaments
Each year, the NorCal region is typically invited to send 1 or possibly more teams to one (or more) Invitational tournaments that happen around the world. Learn more