Robotics Expansion Event

Campus Rec Center Unloading and Entrance

Teams can unload their pit items in front of the Campus Recreation Center. There is another driveway location just east of the Cook Pavilion that teams can access to unload pit items. There will be limited wagons and carts available for use.
 

Note: The area in front of the Campus Recreation Center is a one-way fire lane so teams will unload and transition the vehicle to the parking lot to allow for other teams to unload.

There will be one entrance to the event, and that is the front of the Campus Recreation Center.
 

Note: The Campus Recreation Center is connected to the Cook Pavilion and Coliseum.
 

Nebraska Union Unloading Zone

For teams who may want to drive to the judging session to unload judging items, there will be an unloading zone in front of the Nebraska Union on "R" Street. There is also metered parking along "R" Street if you want to park nearby the judging location.

Team Check-In

Team registration will open at 8:00 a.m. CST on Friday, March 20 and remain open throughout the day. Check-in will take place at Pit Administration, located at the entrance of the Cook Pavilion. Teams do not need to submit any materials at check-in. Simply confirm your team’s arrival and pick up your coach’s packet. Teams may submit evaluations and thank-you notes at any time during the weekend. The coach’s packet will include maps, schedules, one media lanyard, and two coach lanyards. Coaches must also check in at Pit Administration on Saturday between 7:00–8:30 a.m. to confirm their team’s arrival for the day.

Coaches Meeting

We will hold a brief coach meeting at 10:30 AM in the Coliseum. This meeting is not mandatory but recommended that at least one coach or mentor be in attendance. This is the opportunity to understand the flow pattern through the competition area, ask judge-related questions, ask robot game questions and any other tournament-related questions. A recorded virtual meeting will be held on Monday, March 16 at 4 PM CT for those who will be traveling that morning and may not arrive by the scheduled time.

Opening Ceremony

At 8:30 a.m. CT on Saturday, March 21, just prior to the start of the Robot Performance rounds, join us for the Opening Ceremony! This is a fun celebration to open the day. After this ceremony, you will be ready to tackle the Robot Game!

Team Master Schedule

2026 Master Team Schedule

Judging Schedule

2026 Judging Pod Schedule_Final        2026 Judging Map

Herbie Husker Schedule

2026 Match Schedule for Herbie Husker Division

Lil' Red Schedule

2026 Match Schedule for Lil Red Division 

Each team will have a team pit area with one standard-sized table and three chairs. Teams will be assigned to a pit table for this event. Team pit tables will be housed in the Cook Pavilion. The pit area will be used for working on your robot, displaying information about your team, talking with judges and spectators. Teams are required to maintain the pit display within the designated boundaries (10 ft x 10 ft). We encourage you to decorate your pit area and display information about your team. EZ Canopy’s, tents, balloon arches are all acceptable. Note: Due to limited electricity inside the Pavilion, I would not use any type of decorations that require electricity. Battery operated decorations are allowed.

We recommend that you bring the following for your team to have in the Pit Area:

• A bin or large bags (like trash bags) to store personal belongings, like coats, under your table
• Your robot and all your robot supplies (attachments and additional building pieces)
• Your laptop computer and power cord
• A box or small bin to carry your robot and attachments to and from the competition area
• A team display board
• A team banner or other team sign – to hang from your pit table and carry for Opening & Closing Ceremonies
• Games (there will be some periods of downtime in the morning – bring some small games that the team can play when things are slow)

Other Items to bring:  Label EVERYTHING with your team #

• Robot, attachments, spare parts & all chargers
• Judging Notebooks
• Team Portfolio (2 copies) 
• Extra batteries
• USB cable
• Laptop with program
• Snacks/food (Eat outside of the Cook)
• Card games if needed
• LOTS OF ENERGY!!!!
• Gracious Professionalism!!!!! 
• Parents like to bring pop-up lawn chairs to sit in during the event. There will be some space along the walls that could be used to set up chairs. 

NEW: Based on issues with flying sports equipment in the Cook Pavilion, we will have access to the ball field adjacent to the Campus Rec. No sports equipment should or will be allowed in the Cook Pavilion. 

                                                                                                            Pit Map

Charging Stations

We will have several charging tables available to charge batteries and laptops. Please have your robot and all electronic devices fully charged up! 

For the Championship, there will be practice tables available and a sign-up for times to use the practice tables. Teams will not be allowed to bring in their Challenge Set at the Championship. There will be eight practice tables available which means each team can sign up for 4 - 10-minute spots. Please be courteous of the team in line after you and be completed before their allotted time slot. 

 

Championship Practice Table Schedule

Remember to be gracious professionals when using a Practice Table:

• Be mindful of your time and other teams' needs (in the event that another team has a crisis with their robot - robot repairs, loss of firmware, etc. - please be courteous and allow a team facing a crisis to use your practice time).
• Reset the Practice Table for the next team.
• Make sure you check that you do not take a mission model from the Practice Table.
• Offer help to teams that may need it!

The judging format will follow the 30-minute flowchart. The in-person interviews will be held in the Nebraska Union. An internal map is available of each judging pod. All judging pods will be on the second floor of the Nebraska Union or the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center.

Note: The Championship will not offer projectors and screens for the Innovation Project judging session. Teams may bring a device such as a laptop/tablet for the judges to view as they move along with the presentation. Teams can show some video footage but keep it limited to 30 seconds and under.

Judging Spectators Guidelines:

For the Championship, spectators will be allowed in the judging rooms. Spectators and coaches should be silent observers of the judging process and refrain from influencing the session in any way. Nobody should stand directly behind the judges.

Judging Schedule and Map

2026 Judging Pod Schedule_Final        2026 Judging Map

Your team is responsible for knowing and understanding the FIRST LEGO League Robot Game. You are required to know the following for the robot competition: Field Setup, Rules, Missions, and Robot Game Updates.

Coaches: Two coaches will be permitted to join the team on the competition floor, but you must stay behind the line with the team and refrain from actively directing the team during the game. Please do not touch or handle the robot or attachments during this time. Consider yourselves spectators with the best spot in the house to watch the game.

Media: There will be one badge allocated as a “Media” representative for your team. You may exchange the lanyard throughout the day. The purpose of this role is to record the team’s robot game run or take images of the team. There will be a special spot in the game for this role.

On Saturday, March 21, your team will participate four (4) times at the Tournament Tables – the Robot Game will begin with a scored Practice Round. The purpose of the scored Practice Round is to give your team the opportunity to experience the queuing process, competition timing, and of course, to get rid of some of those nerves. This scored Practice Round is just that – a practice – and it does not count, even if this is the best score your team has at this tournament. Your Robot Performance score is the highest score your team achieves out of the three official rounds.

Each team will be able to sign up for two scored Practice Rounds on Friday, March 20. These matches will be scored on the official robot game tables that will be in the Coliseum. You are not required to sign up for these optional matches and your team could even choose just to participate in one match and not both. We are offering this for those teams who may not have run their robot at a Mini-Play, and this can provide the extra practice of what to expect in your official matches. Friendly reminder, please do not edit an existing coach’s submission in the sign-up.

Friday Scored Practice Round Sign-Up Schedule

Due to the number of competition teams, there will be two official game divisions, LIL RED and HERBIE HUSKER. All robot games scores will be collected as one competition. With two divisions, this is better for logistics, A/V, and is more spectator friendly.
 

NOTE: Bluetooth may not be used at the competition tables.

Reminder: Teams will not be allowed to use carts within the competition robot game area. Teams can use carts outside of the competition area, but only folding tray tables will be allowed inside the competition robot game area.

Make sure you are ready to compete at least ten minutes prior to your scheduled robot round. Remember to respect the referees and the other teams – and HAVE FUN!

The following awards will be presented at this tournament:

• Champion's Award - 1st Place, 3 Finalists
• Robot Design Award - 1st Place, 3 Finalists
• Core Values Award - 1st Place, 3 Finalists
• Innovation Project Award - 1st Place, 3 Finalists
• Nebraska Innovation Award (1)
• Robot Performance Award (Top 4)
• Rising All-Star Award (3)
• Breakthrough Award (3)
• Engineering Excellence Award (3)
• Motivate Award (3)
• Peer Award (2)
• Coach/Mentor Award (5)
• Volunteer Award (5)
• Special Recognition Awards

It is with GREAT excitement that I can announce that Nebraska will have four different opportunities to continue past the Nebraska FLL Challenge Championship! Each of these events will be an international open, meaning there will be representation not just from the USA but from countries from all over the world! There is general information about each of the events below. I will forward on any new information that lands in my inbox. 

Advancement Guidelines

The 1st Champion Award team will have their choice between the four events listed below, the 2nd Champion Award team will have the opportunity to accept or decline the remaining events, the 3rd Champion Award team will have the opportunity to accept or decline the remaining events,  and the 4th Champion Award team will be offered the remaining slot. 

It is important that coaches visit about the opportunity to advance on because the deadline to accept is rapid after the conclusion of our Nebraska season. 

Advancement Events

2026 FIRST LEGO League World Festival
April 29-May 2, 2026

• Location: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
• Registration Fee: $2,000
• Event Web Site: https://www.firstchampionship.org
• Deadline to Accept Invitation: Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 12 p.m. CT
• HYPE Video: https://youtu.be/3J8m9sXENUY?si=Qu5b-c87UBiu1NmF

2026  WAFFLE (WPI Annual FIRST LEGO League Open Invitational Event 

June 12-14, 2026 

• Location: WPI’s Harrington Auditorium - 100 Institute Rd. Worcester MA 01604 
• Event Webpage: https://wp.wpi.edu/waffle/
• Registration Fee: $2,000
• Deadline to Accept Invitation: Monday, March 23, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT
• HYPE Video: https://youtu.be/dXwmj8aCDC8?si=0vaR9kn13Gb5mLQX

FIRST LEGO League Western Edge Open Invitational

May 29 - June 1, 2026

• Location: Long Beach Convention Center 
• Event Webpage: https://cafirst.org/westernedge
• Registration Fee: $2,000; Deposit $1,000 due April 1, Final payment due May 6
• Deadline to Accept Invitation: Monday, March 23, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT

NEW! FIRST LEGO League Georgia Ramblin’ Robots Invitationals (GR²Its) 

June 5 - 7, 2026 

• Location: Atlanta, Georgia (Georgia Tech Campus) 
• Registration Fee: $1,800 (up to 10 youth and 2 coaches)
• Event Website: https://grits.ceismc.gatech.edu/
• Deadline to Accept Invitation: Monday, March 23, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT

Nebraska Union

Friday Only: The Nebraska Union will have on-site food options and seating areas for teams to eat on campus. Teams will be allowed to bring in outside food to the Nebraska Union. For a list of restaurants and hours of operation, please check this link the week of March 16. https://unions.unl.edu/services-and-offices#city. 

Note: The Nebraska Union will be closed on Saturday. Please no small appliances requiring electricity or bringing in outside tables for a food setup station.

Campus Recreation Center

Friday and Saturday: Teams can bring in outside food to the Campus Recreation Center but in limited areas. There will be no food or drinks (except for water) allowed in the Cook Pavilion due to the turf flooring. Teams are able to pack snacks in a tote or cooler and store in an area in the Coliseum. Snack totes and coolers will not be allowed in the Cook Pavilion. There will be an area that coaches may store there food totes and coolers in the Coliseum (Raquetball Court #4). 

Food and drinks are welcome and allowed in the Coliseum stands, entrance to the City Campus Rec, and limited table seating. Concessions will not be provided at this event. Teams can call in food delivery from a local food venue and eat in limited areas. There will be seating in the Coliseum vestibule (quiet space), and  there will be some seating available in the Coliseum (next to the food storage area). 

Note: Please no small appliances requiring electricity or bringing in outside tables for a food setup station. 

UNL Dining Center

We are excited to offer teams an on-campus dining experience at the Willa Cather Dining Center during the 2026 FIRST LEGO League Championship. 

Friday Only:

Teams will be able to eat at the Willa Cather Dining Center between the hours of 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. Teams and spectators will complete payment at the dining hall upon arrival. Payment Options: Cash, Credit Card, and NCard.

Saturday Only: 

Due to limited seating (600), there will be two waves of lunch release for the Willa Cather Dining Center. Click here to see your lunch release assignment and RSVP option for the UNL Dining Hall. If you do not plan on eating at the UNL Dining Hall, please follow your individual team schedule and report back to your next team event. 

• Wave One-11:00 AM-12:30 PM CT
• Wave Two-12:30 PM-2:00 PM CT

There will be a pre-sale for tickets for Saturday on Friday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and on Saturday from 9 AM – NOON. Teams will need to buy pre-sale tickets for Saturday to expedite the line. 

2026 Prices: 

• Attendees over 12: $12.00 (inclusive of tax)
• Children 6-12: $8.20 (inclusive of tax)
• Children 5 and under: Free

Food Trucks

Travelin’ Toms (drinks) will be site Friday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, and Saturday from 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM. There will be at least one additional food truck on site on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM serving food. Attendees can eat in designated areas in the Campus Rec Center.

Herbie's Market at Village

Offering to-go food options, snacks, drinks, Husker gear, and more; our Herbie's Markets are your on-campus convenience stores.

For both Friday and Saturday the Herbie’s Market will be open from 9am-11pm.  

Official Apparel

Don’t forget to visit the Championship Merchandise Store located in the Cook Pavilion!

For this year’s challenge championships, participants, coaches, and family members will have the opportunity to have your official merchandise printed right before their eyes. 

Choose from a large selection of sportswear items including short sleeve & long sleeve cotton t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, crew sweatshirts and performance apparel in a variety of sizes and colors, along with plenty of unique design options to customize your gear and make it uniquely yours!

Payment options will include cash, card, Apple and Google Pay.

Team Check-In

Registration for teams will run from 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM. Coaches will pick up their coach packet. The coach’s packet will include maps, schedule, optional scavenger hunt, optional coloring contest sheets, and team lanyards. The registration table will be located at Pit Administration which will be in the entrance of the Cook Pavilion. 

Opening Ceremony

At 8:30 a.m. CT on Saturday, March 21,  join us for the Opening Ceremony! This is a fun celebration to open the day. After this ceremony, teams will have a team welcome in the Explore Festival area and begin their reviewing sessions!

Team Welcome

At 9:45 a.m. CT we will come together in a smaller group to kick off the Explore Festival. This will take place by the team pit tables.

Team Schedule

**All Interviews will take place in the Cook Pavilion at each team pit table.** 

Pit Area (Cook Pavilion)

• Team Table
  • Each team will have a team table area with one 8’ table and three chairs. Teams will be assigned a table. This is where you will have your Reviewers Session. You can also display your Show Me Poster and LEGO Model. You are welcome to decorate your pit area and display information about your team. Team tables will be found in the Cook Pavilion
• Other Items to bring:  Label EVERYTHING with your team #
  • Show Me Poster, LEGO Model
• Laptop with programming and USB Cable 
• Snacks/food (stored in a tote or container and labeled)
• Money for food, merchandise 
• Camping chairs

*Parents like to bring pop-up lawn chairs to sit in during the event. There will be some space along the walls that could be used to set up chairs. * 

Team Activities

Explore teams will be able to participate in an optional scavenger hunt, optional coloring contest, check out FIRST LEGO League Challenge and FIRST Tech Challenge teams, as well as build with LEGO.

Explore Coloring Contest Instructions

• Contest eligibility limited to children participating in the FIRST LEGO League Explore Festival.
• Coloring sheets will be in the coach packet at registration.
• Please use crayons or colored pencils.
• Coloring sheet will be due by 11:45 AM CT to the Pit Admin Table in the Cook Pavilion.
• Please put Explore Team # and name on the back of the sheet.
• The winner will be announced during the FIRST LEGO League Explore award ceremony.

Food Experiences

Review Food Experiences Tab under Challenge Information.

Awards Celebration

The following awards will be presented at this tournament-

• Individual Team Medals
• Team Award
• Special Recognition Awards (Based off Interviews)

Weather Cancellation

The decision to cancel an in-person event is taken very seriously. We may need to cancel events for several reasons including, but not limited to, the following:

• Severe Weather Conditions (such as ice, snow, severe thunderstorms, flooding, etc.)
• Exceptional structural circumstances to the facility (including power outages, loss of heat, loss of water, fire, or damage from a natural disaster)

Nebraska FIRST LEGO League Leadership will determine if there will be a delay, early dismissal, or cancellation of the tournament. We will make that decision by NOON on Wednesday, March 18. 

If an event must be cancelled, before the tournament day begins:

• Coaches will be notified by e-mail and the cancellation will be posted onto the Nebraska FIRST LEGO League Facebook page. 

The main priority of the program is for the safety and well-being of the students and volunteers who participate in the FIRST LEGO League program. Coaches may need to make specific decisions for their team, especially when winter weather and/or public health and safety is of concern.