Our neighbors in GA and NC are moved to the district model in 2016. New districts are continuing to form, including in large states like Texas.

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• In 2016, the southeast LOST 3 regional events (Georgia Southern Classic, Peachtree, and North Carolina) and only gained 1 regional event (Alabama).

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• Districts are CHEAPER. Each team in the state will get TWO competition chances for the price of ONE regional.

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• District events are CLOSER. Each team in the state will be no more than 4-5 hours away from any district event.

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• District events have MORE MATCHES because they have less teams at each event.

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• District events expose more communities to FIRST and spur the growth of teams.

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Michigan, the pilot district, has proven that the standards of FIRST are not compromised by introducing lower cost FRC events and lower team costs.

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• Lower venue costs - high schools, local universities, smaller convention centers, etc.

• Lower production (A/V) cost

• Lower team travel, lodging, food costs

• Same size pits

• Same FRC field

• No difference in awards given

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This is the direction FIRST is moving in, and our neighbors are leading the way. The number of southern regionals is diminishing and will only continue to do so in the next few years.