TEAM INFORMATION & RESOUCES
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AGENDA
Welcome FIRST® teams and fans!
The city of Cleveland is proud to host the 27th annual FIRST® Robotic Competition Buckeye Regional. This Regional tournament will be held March 19th through March 21st, at the Bert L. & Iris S. Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University.
For your convenience, early load-in and pit setup for participating teams has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 18th, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Early weigh-in will also be available on Wednesday during this same time period. Practice Matches are scheduled for Thursday, March 19th, from Noon until 6:30 p.m. The tournament will begin with Qualification Matches on Friday, March 20th at 9:00 a.m., and will conclude the following afternoon with the thrilling "double elimination" tournament and the crowning of our Regional Champions! The top-performing teams at this event will qualify to compete at the FIRST® World Championship in Houston, TX, at the end of April.
See the tentative schedule below for additional details
DIRECTIONS
The Wolstein Center is conveniently located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and is easily accessible from Interstate 71 (I-71), Interstate 77 (I-77), Interstate 90 (I-90), and Ohio State Route 2 (SR 2) .
GPS Address: 2000 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
From the South: Follow I-71 or I-77 North. Take the East 22nd Street exit from either interstate. Turn left on 22nd Street and proceed to Prospect Avenue. Turn left on Prospect Avenue. The Wolstein Center will be on your left.
From the East: Follow I-90 West to Prospect Avenue. Turn right on Prospect Avenue. The Wolstein Center will be on your left.
From the West (I-90): Follow I-90 East to the East 22nd Street exit. Turn left on 22nd Street and proceed to Prospect Avenue. Turn left on Prospect Avenue. The Wolstein Center will be on your left.
From the West (State Route 2): Follow SR-2 East to I-77/I-71 South. Exit at the Prospect Avenue exit. Turn right onto Prospect Avenue. The Wolstein Center will be on your right.
Click on the image to the left for specific set-by-step directions from your location.
TEAM HANDBOOK
FIRST® Ohio and your Regional Planning Committee is pleased to share a digital version of the 2026 Buckeye Regional Team Handbook that can be downloaded and printed at your convenience. Participating teams and team members can access the handbook by clicking HERE.
LOAD-IN & LOAD-OUT
LOAD-IN & LOAD-OUT
Please remember your Gracious Professionalism and be courteous to others who are trying to load-in or out. We will be using the same load-in procedure that was used last season.
Load-in Instructions:
Teams are encouraged to use the Wednesday Evening load-in times, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 PM. We ARE allowing Wednesday evening setup and robot weigh-in, but the pits will close promptly at 8:00 PM. If you cannot make this time, you may load in and set up with up to six (6) people on Thursday morning between 7:45 and 8:30 am. (Please note that two of the five people must be adults.)
Teams enter down a ramp (East 19th Place) off Carnegie Avenue on the west end of the Wolstein Arena. This ramp leads to the loading dock at the west end of the pit area at floor level. (see map below) This is Gate C.
The load-in area, both outside and inside the building, will be crowded at times, so please remember to be careful and courteous. Teams are asked to consolidate their materials when packing their vehicles so that unloading can be done as quickly and safely as possible. This will help reduce the wait time for other teams waiting in the queue to unload.
Each team will be assigned a holding location on the loading dock where the team will unload its vehicle contents. Once the team vehicle is unloaded, it must leave the dock area immediately. If the team is using the designated surface lot to park their trailer, the driver must obtain a Parking Permit from Load-in Administration and attach/tape it to the outside of the trailer.
When the team vehicle leaves the dock area, the six-person setup crew will be issued a Pit Setup Permit that will allow them access to their assigned Pit area. Once there, the setup crew can begin organizing their Pit. Because space per pit is limited, a "Robot Holding Area" has been established on the dock for teams to temporarily store their robots while their pit is being assembled. This is for safety and will provide teams with the space needed to complete the installation and setup of their Pit.
REMEMBER ALL Team members entering the facility are required to wear safety glasses.
When you complete pit setup, you can move your robot from the "Holding Area" into your pit. Please remember to turn in the Pit Setup Permit to Pit Administration.
The pit setup crew will be required to leave the venue through the main concourse of the Wolstein Center on the Carnegie Ave exit (Gate A).
Teams loading in on Thursday morning will follow the same procedure beginning at 7:45 am. Teams that finish pit setup on Wednesday will not be allowed back in the pits until 8:30 am.
A driver must stay with the vehicle at all times while it is in the loading lane and area. After offloading, the driver can take the trailer to the designated surface parking lot at 2027 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. PLEASE NOTE: This is a diffrent location from last season and a Parking Pass will be required to park in this lot. The tow vehicle can remain with the trailer in the parking lot until the pit setup is complete. After that, only trailers will be allowed in this lot. Remember to pick up the parking permit and attach it to your trailer.
Teams arriving late on Wednesday and unable to complete their pit setup by 8:00 pm will be allowed to finish on Thursday morning between 7:45 and 8:30 am. Teams in this situation should keep their Pit Setup Permit and use it to allow up to six team members to walk down the ramp to the loading dock (they will NOT be permitted to drive down the ramp) to enter the building. The rest of the team can enter via the concourse at 8:30 am. No work will be allowed on the robot during these load-in periods.
Don’t forget your safety glasses! We have a very, very limited number of glasses this season, so if you want friends and parents to attend the event, please plan to bring your own personal glasses so those we do have can be provided to guests and VIPs
Load-out Instructions:
Load-out Instructions:
There will be 6 waiting stalls designated in the dock area.
When a team is completely ready to load out (i.e., all materials packed and consolidated), 1 person will come to the loading dock to get their Load Out Permit and receive their load-out order. DO NOT bring your pit or pit supplies with you.
If there is space, they will be given an open stall to move their pit into.
When they are assigned a stall, the driver may go get the trailer
To avoid congestion, the driver should not enter the ramp/dock area until the team is on the dock, ready to go. The driver should remain in the designated surface lot until the team is ready to load out.
Once the team’s vehicle arrives on the dock, the team needs to quickly load their vehicle. The transport vehicle must then depart the dock area promptly to allow others to begin the load-out process.
The driver must stay with the vehicle at all times.
NOTE: Critical to this year's process are the consolidated packing of pit materials, prompt unloading and loading, adherence to the process, and gracious professionalism toward fellow teams. Teams that are willing to do this will be most appreciated.
Event Parking
Event Parking
Parking for Transport Trailers & Oversized Vehicles
Your Buckeye Regional Planning Committee has reserved overnight parking for transport trailers and buses across the street from the venue in a nearby surface lot at 2027 Prospect Avenue. Trailers parked in this lot will require a parking permit clearly displayed on the exterior of the trailer. Parking permits can be obtained from the Load-in Administrator stationed on the dock during Load-in. After unloading, please proceed to the designated parking area to drop off your trailer.
*Special Note: While the area is patrolled regularly by local law enforcement, we strongly encourage teams not to leave valuables in their vehicles. The Buckeye Regional is NOT responsible for parked vehicles or their contents.
Parking for All Other Vehicles
Family members and other fans of participating teams will find that there are several public parking lots and garages surrounding the venue. Prices vary, but the cost is typically around $10 per vehicle. We recommend parking in the South Garage (SG) located at 2101 E. 21st Street, directly across the street from the Wolstein Center. The South Garage is open 24/7 and has four levels with over 600 parking spaces. The structure is located on E. 21st Street, between Prospect Avenue and Carnegie Avenue. Entry to the garage is available only from E. 21st Street, a one-way street traveling southbound toward Carnegie Avenue. This is the only location where overnight visitors can park.
Regardless of where you park, most downtown lots are full by Saturday afternoon. We strongly encourage team members and fans traveling by car, truck, or van to carpool whenever possible.
VENUE & PITMAP
The Wolstein Center is a 13,610-seat indoor arena located in downtown Cleveland, on the campus of Cleveland State University (CSU). It is home to the Cleveland State Vikings men's and women's basketball teams and the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League. The facility features many amenities and meets all the requirements for ADA Compliance.
The 25th annual Buckeye Regional is a free event and open to the public. We wish to remind all participating teams to be respectful and courteous to all guests, and ask that teams please practice Gracious Professionalism throughout the tournament.
There are several ways to enter Wolstein Center but for robot load-in/load-out we recommended that you enter via the driveway (E 19th Place) on the western side of the building off Carnegie Avenue. Team members not involved with load-in will enter and depart each day through the "A" Entrance, located on the northeast side of the building, off of Prospect Avenue.
See the map below for Pit locations.
CHAMPIONSHIP ELIGIBILITY
The eligibility criteria for advancement to the FIRST® Championship were changed last season...
Championship slots are available to eligible teams that are pre-qualified or have earned their slot based on their performance during the 2026 season. The new regional advancement model assigns teams points based on the awards they win and their robot's performance at a given event.
At this year’s Buckeye Regional, “Merit-based” qualifying slots will be awarded to the following teams upon their award or tournament win.
The FIRST® Impact Award Winner;
The Engineering Inspiration Award Winner; and
The Winning Alliance Captain and their first Alliance pick.
All other participating teams that don't earn a slot at the Buckeye Regional will be ranked alongside all other teams from the week's Regional tournaments in a global “Regional Pool,” with the three top-ranked teams from this list invited to attend the FIRST® Championship.
For more information, visit the Championship Eligibility Criteria page on the FIRSTinspires.org website.
Click HERE to see the current Regional Rankings.
Box Lunch Order Forms
MEALS & LOCAL DINING
While there are several restaurants within walking distance of the Wolstein Center, it is important to note that NO outside food or drink is allowed in the venue. Drinks are available at the concession stand and water fountains are available by the restrooms for refilling water bottles.
For your convenience, Box Lunches are available through Aramark, the venue's on-site caterer. To order meals for a team, click on the Box Lunch Order Form image to the left to download a copy of the Box Lunch Order forms for each day of the event. Then, email the completed form(s) to brindza-teresa@aramark.com. Please note: A separate order form must be completed for each day. Also, all orders must be completed and received by our on-site caterer by 3:00 PM on Thursday, March 12, 2026
Teams who have ordered box lunches through the on-site caterer may pick them up at the Backstage Café area on the Concourse at 11:00 AM on Thursday and at Noon on Friday and Saturday.
SPECIAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
SPECIAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Campus Tours
Ohio FIRST® and your Buckeye Regional Planning Committee have partnered with Cleveland State University to offer guided tours of the Washekwicz College of Engineering, the university’s $60 million facility that houses state-of-the-art research laboratories, classrooms, computer labs, and more!
During the 40-minute engineering lab tour, participants will explore the Human Machines Laboratory, step inside an anechoic chamber, and visit labs featuring Programmable Logic Controls, Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), Parker Hydraulics/Pneumatics, and Unit Operations. The tour also includes the college’s Makerspace and new Esports lab. Participants will have the chance to interact with college professors and current students throughout the experience—and guests will leave with a special gift from the college.
The guided tours will be held on Wednesday (March 18th) from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM and again on Thursday (March 19th) from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. While these tours are free and open to visiting FRC students and their families, PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Register today at CSU Engineering Tours 2026! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the great engineering programs offered at Cleveland State University!
Career Exploration Showcase
Join us on Thursday, March 19th, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM for the Buckeye Regional’s “Career Exploration Showcase.”
The event will be held on the main concourse of the Wolstein Center and is designed to provide FIRST® students with an opportunity to discover and learn about a variety of rewarding STEM-focused careers, and to help students chart a path to get there.
In addition to various hands-on activities and interactive exhibits, this year’s showcase also features representatives from some of the region’s top employers, including leading manufacturers, tech firms, and research facilities. There will also be opportunities to meet face-to-face with recruiters from some of the region's top 2-year and 4-year educational institutions and trade schools.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity! Plan to stop by sometime during practice day to explore exciting STEM career possibilities!
Women in STEM Summit
Ohio FIRST® and your Buckeye Regional Planning Committee are pleased to host the annual “Women In STEM Summit” on Thursday, March 19th from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This 60-minute panel discussion will be held in the luxurious Viking Loge on the upper level of the Wolstein Center overlooking the arena.
This event is free and open to everyone but is specifically designed to help empower and inspire female FRC student team members and mentors. The event features a distinguished panel of professional women who will share their incredible stories and the important things they’ve learned along the way to successful careers in their respective STEM fields.
Please plan to attend this special session and join the network of like-minded individuals working to help nurture and grow more women in our FIRST® community!
HELPFUL LINKS & OTHER RESOURCES
The Season Materials section of the Resource Library page of the FIRST® website contains a number of links to game-specific resources that will help teams prepare for the Buckeye Regional.
The Season Materials section of the Resource Library page of the FIRST® website contains a number of links to game-specific resources that will help teams prepare for the Buckeye Regional.
Be sure to check out the Team Management Resources webpage for information to help with team organization and recruitment, outreach, budget, and more!
The Awards Webpage is another excellent resource that will help teams prepare to talk to judges at the Buckeye Regional. It includes practice interview questions, best practices for awards, and information to help teams submit for the Dean’s List Award and the FIRST® Impact Award.
Right after Kickoff, your team may start to look at various strategies on how to best play the game and what aspects you may want to prototype. Consider reviewing the Effective FIRST Strategies for Design & Competition and the Prototyping 101 before Kickoff.
As your team works throughout the build season, you may need help with things like CAD or even Bumpers. We have compiled several resources to support CAD, depending on which program you use, and have created a new Bumper Guide (with the foundation for this document coming from a FIRST Alum!).
At some point before your first event, your team will need to select your Drive Team. Check out the Guide to Selecting Drivers and the Improving Driver Performance guides if you need assistance in either area.
If your team needs help with specific mechanism ideas, manufacturing, and more, take a look at the super comprehensive NASA Robotics Alliance Project (RAP) Robotics Design Guide.
Lodging:
While there are a variety of hotels within walking distance of the event venue, event organizers have recently learned that a large sporting event is scheduled in downtown Cleveland during the same week as the Buckeye Regional. Several downtown hotels report they are already booked to capacity.
To avoid any inconvenience, we recommend reserving accommodations outside of the downtown area. There are numerous hotels in the surrounding suburbs, including Beachwood and Independence, as well as Middleburg Heights and North Olmsted near the airport.
These hotels are approximately 10-15 minutes from the event venue. So, teams should plan their travel time accordingly.
Places of Interest
Cleveland, Ohio is a vibrant community featuring top-tier educational institutions, cutting-edge technical and medical research centers, and a vibrant arts & culture scene. The Buckeye Regional Planning Committee hopes that you enjoy your time in Cleveland, both on and off the field. There are a variety of activities and attractions that are available to teams. Below is a short list of just a few of the many options.
Please Note: This information is subject to change. Please check with each attraction for updates.
ATTRACTIONS
Great Lakes Science Center (Located on North Coast Harbor)
Address: 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Phone: 216-694-2000 or 216-696-4941
Hours Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Sunday 12 noon – 5:00 pm
Food: Available
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: (Located on North Coast Harbor)
Address: 1110 E.9th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Phone: 216-781-7625 or 888-764-7625
Hours Open: Open every day 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Extended hours Thursday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Food: Available
Cleveland Museum of Natural History (Located in University Circle)
Address: 1 Wade Oval Dr., Cleveland, Ohio
Phone: 216-231-4600
Hours Open: Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
*Advance ticket purchase required
Cleveland Museum of Art: (Located in University Circle)
Address:11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Phone: 216-421-7350
Hours Open: Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Friday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission is FREE, No Entrance Fee
Food: Available
MOVIES & LIVE THEATER
Playhouse Square: (Located in the Downtown Theater District)
Address: 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Phone: 216-771-4444
Call for tickets and showtimes.
Cinematheque - Peter B. Lewis Theater at the Cleveland Institute of Art
11610 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio
Phone: 216-421-7450
General Admission: $10 - $13 to each film, Age 25 & under: $7-$10
PLACES TO EAT
University Circle: Google "University Circle Restaurants"
Euclid Corridor & Cleveland State Area: Google “Cleveland State University Restaurants"
Downtown Cleveland: Google “Downtown Cleveland Restaurants"
Flats on the River: Google “Cleveland Flats Restaurants”
2025 Buckeye Regional Results
2025 Buckeye Regional Results
Ohio FIRST® and the Buckeye Regional Planning Committee wish to congratulate all of the 2025 Buckeye Regional Participants and especially the following award winners…
Ohio FIRST® and the Buckeye Regional Planning Committee wish to congratulate all of the 2025 Buckeye Regional Participants and especially the following award winners…
Regional FIRST® Impact Award – Team 1511 (Rolling Thunder)
Regional Engineering Inspiration Award – Team 9545 (Caracal Robotics)
Rookie All-Star Award – Team 10582 (The Technochauns)
Woodie Flowers Finalist Award – Nathan Sterrett (Team 9194)
Volunteer of the Year – Jim Foster (Pit Admin)
FIRST® Dean's List Finalist Award –
Maya H. (Team 2399)
Kyle W. (Team 8140)
Regional Winners –
Team 1787 (The Flying Circuits)
Team 695 (Bison Robotics)
Team 1559 (Devil Tech)
Regional Finalists –
Team 4611 (OZone Robotics)
Team 3173 (The IgKnighters)
Team 9545 (Caracal Robotics)
Team 8222 ( The Argonauts)
Autonomous Award sponsored by Ford – Team 4611 (OZone Robotics)
Creativity Award sponsored by Rockwell Automation – Team 3260 (SHARP)
Excellence in Engineering Award – Team 2603 (The Steel Stingers)
Gracious Professionalism Award – Team 4145 (The WorBots)
Imagery Award in honor of Jack Kamen – Team 9653 (O.V.R.T. - Ohio Valley Robotics Team)
Industrial Design Award sponsored by General Motors – Team 3015 (Ranger Robotics)
Innovation in Control Award sponsored by nVent – Team 1787 (The Flying Circuits )
Judges' Award – Team 2399 (The Fighting Unicorns)
Quality Award – Team 3173 (The IgKnighters)
Rising All-Star Award – Team 9767 (The MagnifiBots)
Team Spirit Award – Team 7717 (Steam Punks)
Team Sustainability Award sponsored by Dow – Team 2228 (CougarTech)
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