FIRST Robotics Competition

The first FRC Regional in Western Europe

Something big is coming to Western Europe. In 2027, STEAMup will host the very first FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) Regional in the region — bringing the world’s most advanced high school robotics competition to Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

This is more than a new event on the calendar. It’s the moment FIRST Robotics Competition truly arrives in Western Europe, opening the door for a fast-growing community of young engineers, innovators and dreamers to compete on the FIRST® world stage closer to home than ever before.

Event at a glance

Event	The first FIRST Robotics Competition Regional in Western Europe
Date	April 1-3, 2027
Venue	Indoor-Sportcentrum Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Teams	36 teams
Status	Official FRC Regional — open to teams worldwide
Registration	Through the standard FRC system and team dashboard (firstinspires.org)
Contact	STEAMup: info@steamup.eu

Why this matters

The majority of FIRST Robotics Competition growth today is happening internationally — outside North America. Turkey already runs several events across the season, but until now Western Europe has had none. This Regional in Eindhoven changes that: it is the first of its kind for the region, and a genuine milestone for the European robotics community.

To meet the needs of a rapidly growing number of teams, STEAMup worked hand in hand with FIRST Headquarters to make this Regional a reality. It builds directly on the success of the FTC EU Premier Event, which STEAMup hosted in Eindhoven in both 2025 and 2026, and on a strong, experienced base of FRC volunteers across Europe.

Western Europe’s FIRST® Tech Challenge community is approaching 1,000 teams. Giving those students inspiration and a clear pathway into FIRST Robotics Competition will be a game-changer — unlocking the next wave of growth and keeping young talent engaged in science and technology as they progress.

Founding partners

This Regional is organised by STEAMup, together with our two founding partners:

Inspired by Novelis’ focus, STEAMup will lead on broad FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) support, exploring rookie team grants, and helping mentors and volunteers across the region learn about the journey from FIRST Tech Challenge into FRC, so that the pathway grows together with the event.

The Gene Haas Foundation has been a multi year partner of STEAMup, and their early and sustained support is a big part of how we reached this milestone. With a deep love for FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) at the heart of the partnership, GHF joins the inaugural FRC Regional in Western Europe as a founding partner, and we’re excited to explore the next chapter of the FRC journey in Europe together and help spark a wider wave of FRC growth across the region

Their support makes it possible to bring FIRST Robotics Competition to Western Europe — and to do it at the level the community deserves.

STEAMup’s role in FIRST Robotics Competition in Europe

STEAMup is the first FIRST partner in Western Europe to run an FIRST Robotics Competition program. We work in close international collaboration with other FIRST partners across Europe, because we see it as our shared responsibility to teach and train volunteers across multiple countries.

By building that volunteer base and sharing what we learn, we want to lower the barrier for other FIRST partners to host their own FIRST Robotics Competition events in the future. This first Regional isn’t just an event — it’s a foundation for FIRST Robotics Competition across the continent.

The venue

The Regional will take place at the Indoor-Sportcentrum in Eindhoven — the same venue that hosted the FTC European Premier Event in 2025 and 2026. We know this building inside and out, and we know how to turn it into a celebration. Expect the energy, the music and the unmistakable FIRST atmosphere that makes these events unforgettable for students, mentors and families alike.

How to take part

This is an official FRC Regional, just like any other. Teams register through the regular FIRST Robotics Competition system and team dashboard — there’s no separate process. If your team is already part of FIRST, you’ll find this event listed alongside every other Regional when registration opens.

New to FIRST Robotics Competition? Get in touch and we’ll help you understand what it takes to field a team in time for 2027.
Returning team? Add this Regional to your season plan and register through your dashboard.
Want to be notified? Sign up for our newsletter or email us to stay updated on dates and registration.

Questions?

We’d love to hear from you. For anything about the 2027 Regional — teams, volunteering, sponsorship or travel — reach out at info@steamup.eu.

Travel & accommodation

Travelling from abroad? You’re in good hands. Through City Tours Eindhoven, we helped the majority of FIRST Tech Challenge teams in 2025 and 2026 arrange hotels and accommodation, and the feedback from teams has been overwhelmingly positive.

We highly recommend reaching out to them early — there’s no obligation, and they can talk you through the options and possibilities for your team. Whether you’re coming from elsewhere in Europe or further afield, they’ll help make your trip to Eindhoven smooth and enjoyable.

City Tours Eindhoven
Marcel and Simone Greefhorst
info@citytourseindhoven.com