Future Edition 8+

The New Generation Is Here!

The FIRST LEGO League Future Edition offers a modern and hands-on learning experience using the new LEGO Education Computer Science & AI Sets. Students take on exciting building, programming, and research challenges.

The program can easily be integrated into classrooms, after-school clubs, full-day programs, and other learning environments. With technology from LEGO Education, it supports many different learning styles. Even children and young people with little experience in robotics or STEM can get started easily.

In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, groups can participate in the Future Edition starting with the 2026/27 season.

Registration for Future Edition 8+ for students in grades 4 to 10 opens on May 19, 2026.

Founders and Future Edition

During the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons, both the Founders Edition and the Future Edition will run in parallel. This gives groups and educational institutions the flexibility to transition to the new program at their own pace.

Important to know: The Future Edition is not compatible with LEGO Education SPIKE or other legacy products.

The Founders Edition is the established program based on
LEGO Education SPIKE.

The Future Edition is the next generation powered by
LEGO Education Computer Science & AI.

At A Glance

Participation

For students aged 8 to 16 (Grades 4–10)
Groups of up to 24 participants, organized into teams of up to 8 students
Supported by 1 to 2 coaches per group
Participation possible as a school or community-based group
Optional participation in events with teams

Schedule

Registration opens: May 19, 2026
Registration deadline: October 31, 2026 for teams participating in events; March 31, 2027 for groups without event participation
Game Release (online): August 4, 2026
Material shipping begins: August 5, 2026
Regional events start: November 2026

Zusätzlich benötigte Ressourcen

LEGO Education Computer Science & AI Sets (two sets per team)
Multiple programming languages can be used, including Word Blocks, Icon Blocks, and Python
At least one laptop and/or tablet per team
A game table for the field mats: Table Building Instructions or Folding Table Building Instructions

Costs

Program fees: €250 (group of 8), €350 (group of 16), €450 (group of 24)
Season set: €140 (sufficient for groups with up to 24 participants)
Logistics fee: €20 (DE), €25 (AT), €42 (CH)
Optional event fee: €100 per team with up to 8 participants (Overview of 2026/27 season events)
Please note: The costs do not include the Computer Science & AI Sets.

First Impressions

At the FIRST Championship in Houston in April 2026, four teams — including Team rhsRobotX2 from Ricarda-Huch-Schule Braunschweig — presented the Future Edition 8+ game. The team had the exclusive opportunity to test the new game materials, explore the challenges on the playing field, and gain early insights into the research topics of the BIOGLOW season. Check It Out ...

The LEGO Education Set

Computer Science& AI

The LEGO Education Computer Science & AI Sets are the new technological foundation of the FIRST LEGO League Future Edition. They provide a hands-on introduction to robotics, programming, and artificial intelligence and were specifically developed for educational use.

For Future Edition 8+, the LEGO Education Computer Science & AI 8+ or 11+ Sets can be used.

8+

Two sets are required per team with up to 8 participants. In addition to the sets, extra hardware is needed, including motors, controllers, and connection cards. The amount of additional hardware required depends on the number of Computer Science & AI Sets being used.
More information about the additional hardware

11+

Two sets are required per team with up to 8 participants. The sets include all materials needed for participation. No additional hardware is required.

Future Edition 8+

New Game Elements

The FIRST LEGO League continues to combine technology, teamwork, and creative problem-solving with the fun and excitement that our community has valued for years. New elements make the program even more accessible and support future-focused learning for the next generation.

Wireless Hardware with Built-In, Paired Functions

Wireless Hardware with with Built-In, Paired Functions: For the first time ever, FIRST LEGO League will utilise wireless hardware elements including sensors, motors, and a wireless controller – allowing us greater flexibility, accessibility, and variability. 

Game Models with Embedded Hardware

Game Models with Embedded Hardware: We have utilised this system of hardware, splitting its use between team robotic solutions and motorising game models – making them interactive and adding a new layer of strategy to the matches. 

Semi-cooperative Matches on a Shared Game Field

Semi-cooperative Matches on a Shared Game Field: Another new experience in FIRST LEGO League is the introduction of semi-cooperative gameplay, where teams compete side-by-side on a shared field that rewards coordination and collaboration during the 2.5-minute gam

Unique Player Roles with Guided Missions

Unique Player Roles with Guided Missions: All of these evolutions are supported by four unique team roles: Driver, Operator, Technician and Specialist. No longer will students simply launch their robots during games; they will play the game with the robotic and mechanical tools they built and developed. 