The University of Northern Iowa will welcome more than 2,000 students, mentors and coaches to campus March 26–28 for the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition Iowa Regional, the state’s premier high school robotics event.

Held in the McLeod Center and UNI-Dome, the three-day competition will bring 54 high school teams from seven states to Cedar Falls to showcase their engineering skills, teamwork and innovation in what is widely regarded as the highest level of high school robotics competition in the country.

Teams will compete with 130-pound robots, operating out of 10’x10’ pit areas in the UNI-Dome, with head-to-head matches taking place in the McLeod Center arena. Opening ceremonies on Friday and Saturday mornings will feature speakers from John Deere and the University of Northern Iowa.

Beyond the competition, the event provides a significant boost to the Cedar Falls community, filling local hotels and restaurants while highlighting the region’s commitment to STEM education. The Iowa Regional is the only FIRST Robotics Competition event in the state and was previously recognized with the Cedar Valley Attraction/Event of the Year Tourism Award.

FIRST offers four hands-on robotics programs that engage students from elementary school through high school, building interest and skills in science, technology, engineering and math, preparing the next generation of innovators.

The event is free and open to the public. “We want to encourage students, faculty and staff and the community to come over to McLeod and the Dome on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday and see these robots and the high school students who built and programmed them,” said UNI STEM Coordinator Marcy Seavey. “The Iowa Regional is free fun for everyone!”

Check out the schedule!