The 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition game, REBUILT℠ presented by Haas, tasks robots with restoring and reinforcing historical structures in an archaeology-themed challenge part of the FIRST AGE season.  

During the match, robots navigate a field featuring complex terrain like Bumps and low-clearance Trenches to retrieve and deliver structural game pieces to various field elements. Alliances work to score "Fuel" and other artifacts into a central Hub and utilize an Outpost to process materials, aiming to rebuild the ancient site while maximizing their alliance's efficiency. The game emphasizes precision and structural stability, requiring robots to be agile enough to pass through narrow pathways while robust enough to handle the rugged environment of an archaeological dig.  

The match concludes with robots racing toward a central Tower structure for the final restoration phase. To earn maximum points, alliances must "climb" and secure themselves to the Tower’s rungs, with bonus rewards for multiple robots hanging simultaneously in a show of collective strength. Successfully scaling the Tower symbolizes the final reinforcement of the historical site, ensuring its preservation for future generations and completing the season's mission.

The 2025 FIRST Robotics Competition game, REEFSCAPE℠ presented by Haas, tasks robots with protecting and restoring a simulated underwater habitat by managing "coral" and "algae" game pieces within a complex reef structure.  

During the match, robots retrieve Coral (white PVC pipes) and secure them onto the levels of a central "Reef," with higher placements earning more points for the alliance. Simultaneously, teams must clear Algae (large green balls) from the reef to keep it healthy, either depositing them into a "Processor" for immediate points or shooting them into a "Barge" for a higher payout. The game begins with a 15-second autonomous period where robots must navigate the seafloor and begin the restoration process without driver input, relying on pre-programmed logic to score initial points.  

The match concludes with robots racing to their alliance’s Barge to secure themselves before the tides change. To earn maximum points, robots must "climb" onto various tiered cages attached to the Barge, with the "Deep" cage offering the highest reward for robots that can lift themselves completely off the field floor. Successfully hanging from these structures symbolizes the robots returning to the surface after a successful mission to preserve the ocean's biodiversity.

The 2024 FIRST Robotics Competition game, CRESCENDO℠, tasks robots to race to "score" Notes (orange foam rings) into various field elements to create a high-scoring performance. 

During the two-minute and 15-second teleoperated period, robots must shuttle these Notes across the field to deliver them into the high-mounted Speaker for direct points or the low-profile Amp, which allows teams to "amplify" the Speaker for a short window of increased point values. 

The match concludes with a dramatic finale at the Stage, a central truss structure where robots attempt to pull themselves up onto chains to be considered Onstage. Teams can maximize their score by "harmonizing" with multiple robots on a single chain, scoring a Note in the high-reaching Trap, or having human players "spotlight" their robots by successfully throwing Notes onto Microphones atop the Stage.

The 2023 FIRST Robotics Competition game, CHARGED UP℠, tasks robots with bringing "nodes" to life by retrieving Game Pieces—yellow plastic Cones and purple inflatable Cubes—and placing them onto various levels of the Grid.

 Throughout the match, robots navigate the field to collect these pieces from human player stations or the floor, aiming to complete "Links" by scoring three items in a row for significant point bonuses. The match reaches its climax in the final moments as robots move toward the Charge Station, a large pivoting balancing bridge located in the center of each alliance's community. 

During this endgame, teams must work in tandem to drive onto the platform and bring it to a level, horizontal position to be considered Engaged, a task that requires precise coordination and collective weight distribution to secure maximum points.

The 2022 FIRST Robotics Competition game, RAPID REACT℠, tasks robots to process and deliver Cargo (oversized tennis balls) into a central Hub. 

During the match, robots collect Cargo from the field or terminal and launch them into either the Lower Hub for reliable points or the Upper Hub for a higher reward, aiming to reach a specific "Cargo Quota" to earn a ranking point. The game features a high-speed cycling rhythm as robots move between the edges of the field and the central scoring structure while managing defensive pressure from opponents. 

The match concludes with a dramatic endgame at the Hangar, where robots must traverse a series of four horizontal rungs—the Low, Mid, High, and Traversal bars—each increasing in height and difficulty. By swinging from rung to rung to reach the highest point, teams earn significant points and secure their standing in the "flight" toward the finish.

The 2021 FIRST Robotics Competition game, INFINITE RECHARGE℠ (At Home), tasks robots with participating in a series of virtual and skills-based challenges as a continuation of the 2020 season to protect FIRST City from incoming asteroids.  

During this unique season, teams competed remotely by filming their robots completing five specific Skills Competition challenges, such as the Galactic Search and AutoNav challenges, which tested autonomous navigation and power cell collection. Robots retrieved yellow foam Power Cells and launched them into the Power Port—targeting the high and inner goals—to demonstrate accuracy and speed in a controlled environment. Rather than traditional alliance matches, teams vied for high scores on a global leaderboard and presented their technical designs to judges virtually.  

The match concludes with a focus on precision and driver skill in the Hyperdrive and Interstellar Accuracy challenges. To earn maximum points and awards, alliances had to demonstrate the peak performance of their robot’s subsystems, from intake efficiency to long-range shooting consistency. This format allowed teams to iterate on their previous designs while navigating the challenges of a virtual competition, symbolizing the resilience and innovation of the FIRST community during a global "game change." 

The 2023 FIRST Robotics Competition game, INFINITE RECHARGE℠, tasks robots with protecting the FIRST City from incoming asteroids by collecting and scoring Power Cells (yellow foam balls). 

During the match, robots retrieve these cells and launch them into the Power Port, aiming for the high or inner goals to maximize points and energize their Shield Generator. Once a specific number of cells are scored, teams must interact with the Control Panel by rotating it to a specific number of revolutions or a designated color to reach the next stage of activation. 

The match concludes with robots racing to the Shield Generator in the center of the field, where they must pull themselves up onto a swinging Generator Switch. To earn maximum points, alliances must not only hang from the switch but also ensure it remains balanced in a level position with multiple robots attached, symbolizing the successful activation of the city's defenses.

The 2019 FIRST Robotics Competition game, DESTINATION: DEEP SPACE℠, tasks robots with preparing their alliance’s Rockets and Cargo Ships for departure before an impending sandstorm arrives on Planet Primus.

During the match, robots retrieve Hatch Panels and Cargo (orange rubber balls) to fill their vessels, though they must strategically secure a Hatch Panel over a scoring bay before the Cargo can be held inside. The match begins with the "Sandstorm" period, where a curtain blocks the drivers' view, forcing them to rely on autonomous code or onboard camera feeds to navigate the field.

The match concludes with robots returning to their HAB Platform, where they must climb onto various tiers of increasing height to prepare for liftoff. To earn maximum points and a Ranking Point, alliances must ensure multiple robots successfully ascend to the highest level of the platform, symbolizing a safe retreat from the lunar surface before the storm hits.

The 2018 FIRST Robotics Competition game, FIRST POWER UP℠, tasks robots with defeating a "Boss" in a retro-themed video game environment by collecting and placing Power Cubes (yellow milk crates) to control various field elements.

During the match, robots retrieve these cubes and place them on large, weighted Scales in the center of the field or smaller Switches near the player stations, aiming to tip these structures in their alliance's favor to accumulate points over time. Teams can also deliver cubes to the "Exchange" to be used by human players as "Power Ups," which provide temporary scoring advantages like double points or immunity.

The match concludes with robots racing to the Scale at the center of the field, where they must pull themselves up onto the rungs of the Scale's tower. To earn maximum points, alliances strive to have multiple robots "climb" and hang simultaneously, symbolizing the final boss battle victory and the successful completion of the game level.

The 2017 FIRST Robotics Competition game, FIRST STEAMWORKS℠, tasks robots with preparing their alliance’s long-distance airships for an intergalactic race by collecting fuel (yellow plastic balls) and gears.

During the match, robots retrieve and deliver heavy plastic gears to the airships in the center of the field, where human players (Pilots) pull them up to activate the vessel's rotors. Simultaneously, robots can launch fuel into a "Boiler" to build up steam pressure, with high-efficiency goals generating more pressure and points for the alliance. The game is unique for its use of human players stationed directly on the field's central airship structures to manage gear placement.

The match concludes with robots racing back to their respective airships, where they must deploy and grab onto pull-up ropes. To earn maximum points, robots must lift themselves off the ground and trigger a "touchpad" at the top of the rope, symbolizing the crew boarding the airship just in time for takeoff.

The 2016 FIRST Robotics Competition game, FIRST STRONGHOLD℠, tasks robots with laying siege to an opponent’s medieval tower by navigating a series of grueling field obstacles and launching "boulders" (foam balls) to weaken their defenses.

During the match, robots must cross a variety of "outer works" defenses—such as moats, drawbridges, and rough terrain—to gain access to the opponent's courtyard. Once inside, robots aim to weaken the tower by firing boulders into high or low goals; after enough successful hits, the tower’s "strength" is depleted, allowing the alliance to capture it. Each match features a different combination of defenses, requiring robots to be versatile enough to traverse multiple types of terrain.

The match concludes with robots surrounding the weakened tower to perform a final assault. To earn maximum points, alliances must "scale" the tower walls by attaching to rungs and pulling themselves upward. Successfully hanging from the tower before time expires symbolizes the successful capture of the stronghold and the completion of the quest.

The 2015 FIRST Robotics Competition game, RECYCLE RUSH℠, tasks robots with processing and stacking various "recyclable" materials into high-scoring piles to demonstrate environmental stewardship.

During the match, robots collect and stack grey Totes onto scoring platforms, earning points for every tote in a stable stack. To maximize the value of these stacks, alliances must top them with green Recycling Containers and then deposit "litter" (pool noodles) into the containers or onto the scoring zones. Unlike most other FRC games, this year featured no direct contact between opposing alliances, as they were separated by a "Landfill" zone filled with additional game pieces to be retrieved and sorted.

The match concludes with a focus on finalizing these precarious stacks and clearing the field of litter. To earn maximum points, alliances must ensure their stacks remain upright and correctly capped with containers before the clock runs out. This game emphasized precision and stability over speed, symbolizing a collaborative effort to manage the city's waste and prepare it for efficient recycling.

The 2014 FIRST Robotics Competition game, AERIAL ASSIST℠, tasks robots with working together as a three-team alliance to move a massive exercise ball (2 feet in diameter) down the field and into their goals.

During the match, the primary focus is on collaboration; teams earn significantly more points by passing the ball between robots before scoring. Robots earn points by throwing or pushing the ball into the high or low goals, but the "Assist" bonus for passes across the three field zones—the white, red, and blue zones—is essential for a high score. This game design encourages alliances to pass the ball over high trusses in the center of the field and catch it on the other side to maximize their bonus potential.

The match concludes with a final push to score the last few balls into the goals. While there is no climbing endgame in this specific year, alliances must maximize their scoring through high-speed cycles and strategic defense. Successfully moving the ball from one end of the field to the other with multiple passes symbolizes the power of teamwork and coordinated effort in achieving a complex objective.

The 2013 FIRST Robotics Competition game, ULTIMATE ASCENT℠, tasks robots with competing in a fast-paced challenge inspired by disc golf, where they must launch Flying Discs into various goals and climb a tiered pyramid.

During the match, robots collect plastic discs and aim for four different goals located on their opponent's side of the field, with higher goals offering more points. The field features two large steel pyramids, one for each alliance, which serve as both obstacles and scoring opportunities. Success in the game relies on a robot’s ability to maintain a high rate of fire while navigating around the central structures and defending their own territory.

The match concludes with robots returning to their alliance’s pyramid for a final climb. To earn maximum points, robots must ascend the levels of the pyramid, with the highest points awarded for reaching the third and topmost rung. Successfully hanging from the pyramid symbolizes the completion of the ascent and the ultimate victory in the competition.

The 2012 FIRST Robotics Competition game, Rebound Rumble℠, tasks robots with competing in a basketball-inspired challenge where they must score as many foam basketballs as possible into four hoops of varying heights.

During the match, robots retrieve basketballs from the floor or the center "corral" and launch them into the hoops located at the ends of the field, with the highest hoop providing the most points. The field is divided by three tilting bridges, and robots must successfully navigate these obstacles to move between the different zones of the court. Alliances gain a strategic advantage by using their "Coopertition" bridge in the middle of the field, which allows them to earn points by balancing simultaneously with an opponent's robot.

The match concludes with robots racing to their alliance’s bridges located in the middle of the field. To earn maximum points, alliances must balance up to three robots on a single bridge, ensuring it remains level and off the floor as time expires. Successfully steadying the bridge with multiple robots symbolizes the balance and teamwork required to achieve a winning score in the heat of competition.