Future of FLL in VA-DC

Future of FIRST LEGO League in Virginia + Washington, DC

2026–2027 Season and Beyond

With the recent announcement of BIOGLOW, the 2026-2027 season theme, we wanted to share our thoughts and plans for the upcoming season and beyond. 

In January 2026, FIRST and LEGO announced the future evolution of FIRST LEGO League, introducing a new “Future Edition” built around the LEGO Computer Science & AI Kit. Under that original announcement, the current “Founders Edition” program would continue for two additional seasons while the Future Edition would run in parallel before becoming the primary program beginning with the 2028–2029 season.

Following that announcement, LEGO shared its decision to conclude its partnership with FIRST after the 2026–2027 season. In light of this change, Virginia–DC FIRST LEGO League wants to provide clarity about what teams can expect for the upcoming season and how we plan to support students, coaches, and communities throughout this transition.

Founders Edition (Traditional FIRST LEGO League)

The Founders Edition of FIRST LEGO League—utilizing LEGO SPIKE (Prime/ Essentials) and other legacy LEGO robotics platforms—will continue to operate in Virginia and Washington, DC as teams have traditionally experienced it.

For the 2026–2027 season:

  • FIRST LEGO League Challenge qualifying tournaments will be held in November and December 2026.
    • The Virginia–DC Championship will be hosted at James Madison University in January 2027.
  • FIRST LEGO League Explore Festivals will be held during the winter and spring of 2027.
  • Founders Edition will be the priority for VA-DC FLL as we celebrate its legacy and the impact it has made on our community over the past 30 years.

Teams participating in the Founders Edition can expect the same advancement structure, event experience, and program delivery model that have defined FIRST LEGO League in Virginia and DC.

Future Edition (LEGO Computer Science & AI Kit)

In addition to the Founders Edition season, Virginia–DC FIRST LEGO League intends to pilot Future Edition events utilizing the LEGO Computer Science & AI Kit during Spring 2027.

These events will operate as stand-alone experiences and will not include advancement to additional levels of competition.

It is important for teams to understand:

  • The Future Edition in its current form will be offered for one season only.
  • We cannot speak to LEGO’s plans for the Computer Science & AI Kit or this program concept beyond Spring 2027.
  • Because this will be the inaugural season for the Future Edition, planning presents unique challenges. We do not yet have historical registration data, geographic participation trends, or event demand patterns to guide scheduling and venue placement.
    • Future Edition events can only be offered in areas where sufficient team participation exists and where local venues and volunteers are available to support successful event delivery.

Our goal is to build an event schedule that best serves participating teams while remaining flexible as registration data becomes available. 

The Next Generation of FIRST K-8 Programming

As the FIRST LEGO League partnership concludes, Virginia–DC FIRST LEGO League remains committed to providing high-quality, student-centered STEM experiences throughout this transition. We recognize that teams, coaches, families, and partners will have questions about what comes next for K–8 robotics and computer science programming in our region.

FIRST is actively working on the development of K–8 programming beyond the 2026–2027 season and will communicate updates as additional information becomes available.

It is important to understand that FIRST LEGO League (Founders or Future) will not exist after the 2026-2027 season. The new FIRST K-8 program will have a new name and look but still hold the same values of FIRST.

When making decisions, it is important for teams to know:

  • Teams will be able to continue the use of LEGO Spike (Prime/ Essentials) equipment in the new FIRST K-8 program.  Read more here
  • Right now, we believe that teams will NOT be able to use the LEGO CS & AI kit in the new generation of FIRST K-8 programming. 
  • We do not know what hardware/ systems will be used after the LEGO Spike is retired; nor do we know yet what the next generation of programming will look like. 

New Founders Edition Teams & Retiring Teams

For new FLL Challenge and Explore teams, we are encouraging those interested to purchase the equipment now before it is sold out/ retired.

If your team is retiring and/or you are interested in selling your LEGO Spike Prime or Essentials, please consider completing this form so we can get you in contact with a new team who has missed the opportunity to get the equipment.  This form will also gather information from those interested in buying equipment.

Buying & Selling LEGO SPIKE (Prime/ Essential) Equipment: https://forms.gle/zG3nE3Scn6Hw83tA6 

Navigating the Transition

VA-DC FIRST LEGO League appreciates your patience, flexibility, and continued commitment to inspiring the next generation of innovators.  As we move in the final season of FIRST LEGO League, our priorities are as followed and in this order…

  1. Celebrate the legacy and impact the Founders Edition has had on our community over the past 30 years.
  2. Prepare teams and volunteers for the next generation of FIRST K-8 programming
  3. Support the pilot and only season of the Future Edition

We hope to see you back for the final season of FIRST LEGO League and beyond!