Season Updates

Join us at didacta 2026 and get exclusive insights into the Future Edition of the FIRST LEGO League! Our 45-minute workshop is aimed at coaches and interested educators who want to learn how this innovative educational program inspires children and young people in STEM and helps them become confident problem-solvers. We will showcase the development of the FIRST LEGO League, which will now be based on LEGO Education Computer Science & AI sets, opening new paths for interactive learning.

In addition to regional competitions and the DACH final, selected teams have the opportunity to participate in international FIRST LEGO League events. Deadlines for international spots are tight – so we have developed a transparent and fair allocation process.

Are you passionate about FIRST LEGO League and want to get involved? Then become a volunteer and help make exciting events like the final on April 18–19, 2026 in Leipzig possible! Whether as a judge, part of the awareness team, or supporting catering – every contribution counts.

The excitement is rising, the robots are buzzing, the teams are cheering: FIRST LEGO League competition season is officially underway! The first regional tournaments in Chur and Yverdon kicked things off last weekend, with Fulda (Challenge) and Eisenach (Explore) soon to follow – and many more over the next two months.

Our latest Open Q&A Session was all about archaeological research. Experts from the State Office for Archaeology Saxony joined us to give participants a child-friendly yet vivid insight into the fascinating work of archaeologists: from real excavations to modern areas where innovation and new methods play a key role.

We’re beyond excited: after more than 20 years, the FIRST LEGO League Final is returning to our home city, Leipzig! On April 18–19, 2026, the New Town Hall will become the meeting place for young builders, creative minds, and technology enthusiasts from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Under the patronage of Vicki Felthaus, Deputy Mayor for Youth, Education, and Democracy of the City of Leipzig, 25 Challenge Teams and 16 Explore Teams will present their ideas, robots, and projects full of passion, teamwork, and innovation. To make this special event unforgettable, we need your support!

The registration deadline for FIRST LEGO League Challenge has passed, and we are thrilled about the great response: 743 teams from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are active this season and are preparing with energy for their competitions.

In November, the first regional competitions for both Challenge and Explore teams will already take place, including events in Chur and Yverdon. We wish all teams the best for their final preparations, creative presentations, and smooth robot runs!

Support doesn’t stop at the playing field! Take advantage of the extensive information in the season materials: from the Engineering Notebook for students to the Team Guides for educators, as well as the many resources on the season website, including category-specific information and scoring guidance: https://www.first-lego-league.org/de/saison-2025-26/die-unearthed-saison.

Dive in, watch our videos, and try things out – and if you still have questions, our online offerings throughout the season are here to help.

Explore:

The review process at an Explore exhibition takes about 15 minutes and is part of the event’s official schedule.

First, the children present their team model and poster (around 5 minutes). The reviewers look at the team’s research topic, model design, and collaboration. They then ask questions and give appreciative feedback, ensuring that every child gets a chance to speak.

Would you like to take part in the FIRST LEGO League UNEARTHED season with your team or class? Then don’t miss your last chance to register!

For teams participating in official competitions:

Challenge (ages 9–16): Registration open until October 31, 2025

Explore (ages 6–10): Register at least 4 weeks before your desired exhibition date

Our colleagues Kristina and Lina from the Funding & Partnerships Team support you with grant applications, sponsorships, and funding opportunities. In the former season, we were able to help 250 teams and 314 classes get started with the program – and funding is again available for 2025!

Both in Challenge and Explore, this season emphasizes a particular idea: archaeologists not only study artifacts but primarily how people lived in the past. Make sure to focus on people in your research, projects, and presentations.

On competition day, referees will evaluate your robot’s performance in the Robot Game using an official score sheet. To be well-prepared, you can already review this sheet and practice with the online scoring calculator.

After the season kickoff, many questions typically arise – especially about the Robot Game or how to implement the program in everyday school or project settings. That’s why we warmly invite you to our next open Q&A session, which takes place monthly – the next one is tomorrow, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 4:00 PM (via MS Teams).

On August 5th at 6 PM, the new FIRST LEGO League season officially kicks off — that’s when the UNEARTHED challenges will be released. This season’s theme: Archaeology! Teams will explore the past, discover artifacts, uncover stories, and develop ideas for the future.

We at HANDS on TECHNOLOGY e.V., the organization behind FIRST LEGO League in German-speaking countries, support you throughout the educational program and regularly offer assistance for beginners and experienced coaches alike. Depending on where you are on your FIRST LEGO League journey, there are two suitable formats.

On May 9th, the Grundschule forum thomanum hosted a lively exhibition marking the celebratory finale of the Explore season 2024. Under the motto SUBMERGED, twelve teams from Leipzig elementary schools presented their movable LEGO models, research results, and lovingly designed posters. They were supported by numerous dedicated volunteers who provided the children with appreciative and motivating feedback.

This event was not only the season finale but also the highlight of a special three-year funding project: In cooperation with HANDS on TECHNOLOGY e.V., the SAGE Foundation enabled over 3,000 children and young people from Leipzig and surrounding areas to participate in the FIRST LEGO League educational program. Equipped with materials, training, and expert guidance, participating schools and kindergartens were able to dive directly into the world of technology, research, and teamwork—with visible success and great enthusiasm.

Our FIRST LEGO League training series at the VDI-GaraGe Leipzig started with full energy—and the first six workshops were a complete success! Many participants from schools, after-school care, and out-of-school education have familiarized themselves with the program in recent weeks and laid the foundation for their role as coaches.

The training is especially designed for beginners—future coaches with little or no experience in FIRST LEGO League. The goal is to make your start as easy as possible: with clear explanations, hands-on exercises, and plenty of room for your questions.

All teams that register for a regional event between May 6 and May 20, 2025, will automatically be entered into our Early Bird Raffle! We’re giving away free team registrations, including season materials, for both 3 Explore and 3 Challenge teams.