July 24-26, 2026
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
This is a Premier Event!
Join us at the 2026 FIRST Tech Challenge Canadian Rockies Premier Event @ KDays, one of Alberta's largest festivals. This is where teams from around the world gather for an unforgettable robotics competition combined with unique festival access. Teams earn advancement to Premier Events the same way as they earn advancement to the FIRST Championship, based on performance at their Regional Championship event. We also have an application process for teams to join the event! Discover why Edmonton offers an unparalleled experience for your team on our More than robots page.
An incredible 99% of teams from 2025 said they would recommend us! After experiencing the unforgettable moments and vibrant energy of our inaugural event, we invite you to make the Canadian Rockies Premier Event @ KDays your first premier event choice for the 2026 off-season. Join us for another exceptional year of innovation and camaraderie!
The Canadian Rockies Premier Event was an incredible experience, flawlessly organized and truly inspiring for our team!
A grateful FTC team coach
Why select this Premier Event?
The 2026 Canadian Rockies Premier Event offers a unique blend of high-stakes competition and festival fun, all while being budget-friendly for travelling teams.
KDays access
Hosted at KDays, one of Alberta's largest festivals, participants gain full access to the fair ground, which includes shows and nightly fireworks, creating a truly one-of-a-kind experience. A ride ticket option upgrade is available on site.
Budget-friendly Edmonton
Edmonton offers big-city experiences at a fraction of the cost, with favourable Canadian dollar exchange rates and hotel rates significantly lower than other major cities.
Hundreds of spectators
Compete in front of hundreds of spectators passing through KDays, providing an electric atmosphere as teams 'duke it out' in DECODE challenges.
Team Parade
Teams will kick off the day with a spirited parade through the K‑Days fairgrounds, showcasing their robots, banners, and team pride to thousands of visitors. The march ends at the main stage, where each team is officially introduced to launch an exciting day of innovation and competition.
Mentor Bots
Yes, mentor built robots are a thing at KDays! While teams are being inspected and judged, why not let the mentors have fun with their mentor built robots? Bring a robot and compete against other mentor built robots, as well as some student-built robots ready to test the field at KDays on Friday night.
Unique Awards!
Participants at the KDays Premiere Event will also receive exclusive awards, medals, and collectible pins created just for this showcase. These unique items celebrate team spirit, creativity, and achievement, giving every participant a memorable keepsake from Alberta’s flagship summer robotics event.
This event is more than robots!
Yes, we will celebrate the robots to their full potential, but in addition, there is much more to do while taking part in this event. Have a look at our page More than robots, and learn why this is a complete experience package!
How to Join Us @ KDays!
Be part of the action! Teams from across the world are invited to apply to be part of the event.
To advance to this event, make sure to select it as your preferred advancement event!
If your team is not advancing, you can still send a video application to join the event! Video applications will also be used as a waitlist if advancing teams do not secure their spot by paying the registration fee on time.
Overall Schedule
Frequently asked questions
We understand that planning for a major event like the FIRST Tech Challenge Canadian Rockies Premier Event @ KDays involves many details. Here you will find comprehensive answers to key topics, ensuring you're well-prepared for an unforgettable robotics competition experience.
Our goal is to ensure your team has all the information needed for a smooth and exciting experience. From travel logistics to competition specifics, dive in to find what you need to know. Once officially registered, teams get access to our live Event Guide document that answers most of the logistics questions.
General Information
Schedule and Format
Competition Details
Team Logistics
Registration and Fees
Volunteering
Health and Safety
Who should we contact for further questions?
If you have any questions not covered in our FAQ, please don't hesitate to reach out to our event organizers. You can contact us via email at kdays@firstalberta.ca. We are here to help!
Want to see more picture from last year's event?
I highly recommend this event to other teams. It provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with teams from around the world, and the atmosphere was incredibly warm and welcoming.
The event was well organized, with clear rules and a schedule that was followed closely. It was not only fun but also uniquely memorable, especially because it was part of the KDays festivities.
The Expo Centre location was stunning—unlike anything we've experienced before. Overall, it was a wonderful competition with exciting activities surrounding it.
From a team's 2025 Participation Servey
Didn't qualify for a Premier Event but still want to attend?
No worries! Fill out our application form and tell us why you should get an invite! We are looking for teams to bring performance, passion, and character to the event.