Starting a FIRST Tech Challenge team in Portugal is now possible — and more straightforward than you might think. Whether you are a teacher looking to launch a STEM programme, a parent wanting to create an opportunity for your child, or a school director exploring new offerings, here is a practical step-by-step guide.
What you need to get started
An FTC team requires five things: a lead coach (an adult, usually a teacher or parent), 4 to 15 students aged 12 to 18, a regular meeting space with a table and some storage, a season registration with FIRST, and a starter kit. That is it. You do not need a robotics lab, a university partnership, or prior engineering experience.
Step 1: Find your students and coach
The coach does not need to be an engineer. Many successful FTC coaches are teachers with no technical background — they learn alongside their students. What matters is commitment: a willingness to meet regularly (typically once or twice a week) and support the team through a full season from September to April.
For students, start with whoever is interested. You need a minimum of four, but most teams work well with 8 to 12 members. A mix of interests is ideal — you need builders, programmers, strategists, communicators, and organisers. Not everyone on the team needs to love coding; the programme is designed to use a wide range of skills.
Step 2: Register with FIRST
Registration happens through the FIRST website (firstinspires.org). You create a team, register for the current season, and pay the season registration fee. Since Portugal does not yet have a local FIRST Delivery Partner, registration is handled directly through FIRST headquarters — which means you have direct access to FIRST support and resources.
Step 3: Get your kit
New teams purchase a starter kit that includes the basic structural components, motors, controllers, and sensors needed to build a competition robot. The most common kit platforms are REV Robotics and goBILDA. A starter kit costs approximately €300 to €500. Over time, teams add components as they refine their designs, but a competitive robot can be built from a single starter kit.
Step 4: Learn the game
Each September, FIRST reveals the new season challenge. The game manual describes the playing field, scoring rules, and robot constraints. Teams watch the game reveal video, study the rules, and begin brainstorming robot designs. The global FTC community shares resources, tutorials, and build guides that make this learning curve much easier than going it alone.
Step 5: Build, code, iterate
This is where the real learning happens. Students design their robot, build prototypes, write code (primarily in Java using Android Studio or Blocks, a visual programming tool for beginners), test on a practice field, and iterate. The cycle of design-build-test-fail-redesign is the heart of the FTC experience. Most teams meet for 2 to 4 hours per week, with more intensive sessions before competitions.
Step 6: Compete
Teams attend regional competitions (called qualifiers or league meets) where they play matches against other teams, go through robot inspection, and may present their work to judges. Since Portugal is just launching its FTC community, your first competition opportunity is the Lisbon Scrimmage on 18 July 2026 — a one-day event at TagusPark in Oeiras that brings together teams from across the EU.
What it costs
A realistic first-year budget for a new FTC team in Portugal:
- FIRST season registration: approximately €275
- Starter kit: €300 to €500
- Additional parts and materials: €100 to €300
- Competition travel (within Portugal/EU): variable
- Total first year: roughly €700 to €1,100
Many teams reduce costs through sponsorship from local businesses, school funding, or parent contributions. Fundraising and sponsor outreach is actually a built-in part of the FTC experience — students learn to pitch their team, write proposals, and manage a budget.
Support available
You are not doing this alone. FIRST provides extensive online resources, including build guides, programming tutorials, and a global mentor network. The Lisbon Scrimmage organising team is actively helping new teams in Portugal get started — from answering questions about registration to connecting you with experienced coaches in Europe.
If you are ready to explore starting a team, contact us for a free, informal conversation. We can walk you through the process, answer your questions, and help you take the first step. You can also register your interest to attend the Lisbon Scrimmage and see FTC teams in action.