The FIRST Progression: FLL, FTC, and FRC

A ladder, not a single competition

FIRST is deliberately designed as a progression of programs so a student can start as young as age 4 and stay engaged through high school. Each rung adds complexity, budget, and real-world engineering. Here is the ladder, from youngest to oldest:

FIRST LEGO League (FLL)

FLL has three divisions (FIRST is moving to an age-based structure starting in 2026, but the divisions you’ll still hear named are):

• FLL Discover (roughly ages 4–6 / grades PreK–1): playful, hands-on STEM intro with LEGO DUPLO and guided activities.
• FLL Explore (roughly ages 6–10): teams build and explore real-world problems with LEGO models and simple motorized elements.
• FLL Challenge (roughly ages 9–16): the iconic version — teams design, build, and program anautonomous LEGO robot (using LEGO Education SPIKE Prime kits) to complete missions on a tabletop game mat, plus an Innovation Project and a Core Values evaluation.

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)

For grades 7–12. Teams build a robot from a metal kit (about the size of a microwave) that must fit within an 18-inch cube at the start of a match. FTC uses Android-based control and programs in Java (via Android Studio, OnBot Java, or Blocks). It is a strong on-ramp to FRC: smaller budget, smaller robot, but real autonomous + driver-controlled play.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

For grades 9–12 (high school). This is the big one: teams have about six weeks to design and build a robot that commonly weighs over 100 pounds and stands several feet tall, using industrial components, real motors, pneumatics, sensors, and software. Matches are played 3-vs-3 on a field the size of a basketball court.

How skills carry up the ladder

The progression is intentional — concepts repeat at higher fidelity:

• Autonomous routines: In FLL Challenge the robot runs pre-programmed missions; in FTC and FRC you write a timed autonomous period (currently 30 seconds in FTC and 20 seconds in FRC (2026 REBUILT)) using sensors and odometry.
• The engineering design process: Brainstorm, prototype, build, test, iterate — identical at every level, just with bigger tools.
• Core Values and judging: FLL has an explicit Core Values rubric; FRC carries the same culture into its judged awards.
• Teamwork roles: Even FLL teams split into build, program, and presentation roles — a preview of FRC sub-teams.

You don’t need to start at the bottom

A very common path is to join FRC directly in 9th grade with zero prior FIRST experience. Many of the best FRC contributors never did FLL or FTC. The progression is an opportunity, not a prerequisite. If you are reading this as a high schooler, you can jump straight into FRC.

Learn more

• FIRST programs overview: https://www.firstinspires.org/programs
• FIRST Tech Challenge: https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc

Key takeaways

• FIRST is a progression: FLL Discover/Explore/Challenge, then FTC, then FRC, spanning roughly ages 4–18.
• Each rung reinforces the same ideas — autonomy, the design process, teamwork roles, and Core Values — at greater complexity.
• You can join FRC directly in high school with no prior FIRST experience; the progression is optional, not required.

This lesson was adapted from learnfrc.com.