- Around 2,000 youth participants from 200 countries expected to compete in October -
Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) and the Incheon Tourism Organization (President Yoo Ji-sang) announced that the FIRST Global Challenge 2026, the world’s largest international robotics competition for teenagers, will be held in Incheon this October.
The FIRST Global Challenge is an international robotics competition organized by FIRST Global, a U.S.-based non-profit organization. It is the largest robotics education event in the world, bringing together approximately 2,000 young participants from around 200 countries, along with about 3,000 family members and related personnel. Participants compete by designing and building robots and completing mission-based challenges, demonstrating international collaboration and creative problem-solving skills.
On January 19, Incheon Metropolitan City signed an MOU at City Hall with FIRST Global and the Incheon Tourism Organization to ensure the successful hosting of the 2026 FIRST Global Challenge. Under the agreement, Incheon will provide administrative and financial support as well as international promotion, while the FIRST Global Foundation will officially designate Incheon as the host city and cooperate with the city throughout all stages of the competition.
The official announcement of Incheon as the next host city was made on March 4 (local time) during the “2026 FIRST Global Leadership Reception,” held at Meridian House in Washington, D.C. The event welcomed ambassadors to the United States from about 200 countries, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives from global companies. At the reception, the head of Incheon’s Tourism and MICE Division delivered congratulatory remarks, stating, “We are delighted to welcome young people from around the world to Incheon, an innovative city where future technologies and tourism converge. We will strive to ensure the successful hosting of the competition.”
The successful bid builds on global networks and cooperation in the robotics industry established through the international youth robotics competition “Robotex International Korea,” which was held in Incheon last year.
Incheon began full-scale efforts to host the event after establishing the Korean Organizing Committee for the 2026 FIRST Global Challenge in May 2025. The city ultimately secured the host city status through a step-by-step process—including developing a hosting strategy, reviewing facilities and infrastructure, and refining support plans. With the Korean Organizing Committee at the forefront, preparations are underway, such as event operations, support for participating countries, and city promotion.
Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok stated, “This event will serve as an important turning point for Incheon to share a vision for future technologies with young people from around the world and to leap forward as a global leader in robotics and future industries.” He added, “Through this competition, we will strengthen the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) capabilities of Incheon’s youth and create a virtuous cycle in which robotics and future technology industries grow together with tourism.”
