NorCal FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifying Tournament Registration :: 2024 Into The Deep

Qualifier registration is done in waves on a month by month basis with priority given to teams with fewer events scheduled. Teams may submit a “preference” for events in that month and will be assigned on a lottery basis. When the lottery is run, teams are randomly assigned and when a team’s number comes up, they are assigned to an event in their order of preference for any event that has space. If no events have space, no events will be assigned. After “running preference assignments”, registration will be open for teams to register themselves in events for which they are eligible. This can be done from their Team Status page by finding their team on our Team List.

The schedule for the waves of registration and who’s eligible in each section are detailed in the chart below.

Cost: Payment for registration is done through the link on the team’s status page. Please note that the fee for in-person qualifying tournament registration is based on a sliding scale; $200 for 1st play, $225 for 2nd play and $250 for a 3rd play. Once a team is assigned into an event either by a preference registration or self registration, they are obligated for that playing fee. If they need to cancel or change, our policies will be enforced. See our policies here.

We are closing registration to teams that are from the areas outside of the NorCal FTC Region until further notice.

Waitlist: NorCal teams that have not yet registered for two tournaments may indicate their interest in attending additional tournaments by signing up for the WaitList by sending an email to ftcwait@playingatlearning.org. Teams may ask to be put on up to three specific event waitlists at a time.  When tournament space becomes available, it will be offered to WaitList teams in order with priority give to teams with fewer registered events. If a team in the WaitList declines an opportunity, they forfeit their waitlist spot and the option passes to the next team. See our complete waitlist policy here.

Preferences window: note your team's preferences from Team Status PageEvents Assigned from Priority RequestsGeneral Registration (self registration)Who Participates?
November Events
Preference RegistrationOct 7th at 9:00a thru Oct 10th at 9:00aOct 10thEveryone
General RegistrationOct 10th at 5:00pEveryone - open to eligible 1st event registrations
December Events
Preference Registration - 1st eventOct 21st thru Oct 24th at 9:00aOct 24thEveryone who has not yet registered for an event
General RegistrationOct 24th at 5:00pEveryone who has not yet registered for an event
Preference Registration - 2nd eventNov 4th at 9:00a thru Nov 7th at 9:00aNov 7thEveryone who would like to register for an eligible 2nd event
General RegistrationNov 7th at 5:00pEveryone - open to eligible 1st or 2nd event registrations
January/February Events
Preference Registration - 1st eventNov 18th at 9:00a thru Nov 21st at 9:00aNov 21stEveryone who has not yet registered for an event
General RegistrationNov 21st at 5:00pEveryone who has not yet registered for an event
Preference Registration - 2nd eventDec 2nd at 9:00a thru Dec 5th at 9:00aDec 5thEveryone who would like to register for an eligible 2nd event
General RegistrationDec 5th at TBDEveryone - open to eligible 1st or 2nd event registrations
Remaining Space
General RegistrationDec 5th until filledEveryone with fewer than 3 registered events
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