Virginia State University Selected To Host 2026 First Chesapeake District Robotics Championship

The championship is expected to attract more than 3,000 visitors and highlight VSU’s leadership in STEM education and regional innovation.

Virginia State University is proud to announce that its College of Engineering and Technology has been selected to host the 2026 FIRST Chesapeake District FIRST Robotics Competition Championship from April 10–12, 2026. In 2024, VSU became the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to host the competition, marking a historic milestone for the University and the region.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with FIRST Chesapeake and to host the FRC District Championship once again,” said Dr. Dawit Haile, Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology. “This event embodies our college's commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and the next generation of STEM leaders. What began as a historic first in 2024 has grown into a broader effort to expand opportunity and strengthen the pipeline of future engineers and technology professionals.”

Since the 2024 District Championship, the partnership between VSU and FIRST Chesapeake has expanded through the creation of the VSU STEM Hub, an on-campus collaborative space that provides regional robotics teams with practice space, equipment, and mentorship from faculty and VSU students. Since its launch, the Hub has supported five new FIRST Tech Challenge teams across Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, and Dinwiddie County. The initiative has also drawn support from regional partners, including the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) and the Cameron Foundation, strengthening workforce development pathways in Southside Virginia.

FIRST Chesapeake is the Mid-Atlantic's program delivery partner for FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), the world's largest youth-serving STEM nonprofit. FIRST Chesapeake fosters teams across Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and West Virginia, currently serving more than 10,000 students from every corner of the district. 

The upcoming three-day FIRST Chesapeake District Championship at VSU is expected to draw more than 3,000 visitors, including high school students and their families representing top-tier robotics teams from across the region. Teams will compete in an alliance format for the opportunity to advance to the FIRST World Championship in Houston, Texas.

“The VSU STEM Hub has become a powerful model for sustainable team development,” said Alex Bryant, President of FIRST Chesapeake. “By combining university resources, community investment, and a championship-level event, VSU has created an ecosystem that extends far beyond a single season. Hosting this championship on an HBCU campus reinforces that impact and sends a powerful message about who belongs in STEM.”

The 2026 FIRST Chesapeake District Championship will take place at the VSU Multi-Purpose Center. The event is free and open to the public, with matches held daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Community members are encouraged to attend and experience the excitement of competitive robotics firsthand.