Columbus
Columbus Civic Center
400 4th Street
Columbus, GA 31901
Thursday, March 19 - Saturday, March 21, 2026
GeorgiaFIRST Robotics is excited to return to the Columbus Civic Center for our PCH District Qualifier in Columbus, Georgia. We’re thrilled to be able to come back to this venue location for 2026, and it is made possible by dedicated partners, sponsors and volunteers who give their time, talent and resources to FIRST. We invite you to join us on Friday, March 20th and Saturday, March 21st as FIRST Robotics Competition teams from the Peachtree District enter the field to test their engineering marvels. Who will walk away with the top awards at the Peachtree District Qualifier in Columbus? Join us to see!
This event is free and open to the public.
Event Schedule
SPECIAL COLUMBUS NOTICE
The Columbus Civic Center is a venue that we haven’t been to in a long time. Please carefully review the below and plan accordingly.
THERE IS A CLEAR BAG POLICY.
Anyone entering the venue through the Main Spectator entrance or one of the alternate Checkpoint entrances, will need to comply with the CLEAR BAG policy and metal detector on Load-In Day as well as the remaining days of the competition.Below is the Short version of the plan.
Coach 1 & 2 should check their email for additional details.
- Teams arrive in Columbus at the Civic Center.
- Six Humans unload robot/pit, and then exit the venue (dump and run - no setup)
- Coach/adult checks in team at the "6 Doors" outdoor Pit Admin / Team Check-In table location by presenting their Printed Team Roster.
- Coach/adult receives wristbands FOR PEOPLE LISTED ON THEIR ROSTER and has team members put them on.
- Banded team members can access building at will to set up pit, compete, etc.
- Team leaves wristbands on for the entire competiton.
- UNbanded members will need to enter via the Spectator entrance and be subject to the clear bag/metal detector policy.2. IT WILL BE COLD
There is a hockey rink under the field. It will have ice. We’ve been told that the warmest it gets in the venue is about 45-50 degrees. Wear layers and pack a sweater or three. Hand and foot warmers might be an excellent idea. Space heaters and the like are NOT allowed.
3. RAMPS APLENTY
There will be ramps throughout the venue to get from Load-In Area to Pits to Field. Make sure your toolboxes and robot cart have robust wheels, and that strong humans are in charge of corralling these wheeled items.
4. CONCESSION STAND IS CASH-FREE
The concession stand can only accept cashless/digital payments. They accept Apple Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. American Express is not accepted.
The Civic Center’s full “Know Before You Go” policy can be found HERE.
Event Program Book
Teams Competing at This Event
Streaming Info
Parking Information
Parking at this venue is free to all participants, guests and spectators. Please follow signs in parking lot that will direct you to designated areas (trailer and bus parking).
Load In/Out Instructions for Teams
When will your team load-in for this event?
Please fill out this short survey by Sunday, March 15th https://forms.gle/XU6jzXC5jSUrksKs9
Load-In: Printable Map and Parking Information
Load Out: Load-out will not begin until 2:00pm (after lunch) on Saturday, no exceptions. You must have all of your equipment, including your bagged robot staged in the designated load-out area just inside the entrance door before your vehicle/bus/trailer can be positioned to load. We will have load-out volunteers in place to assist you with this and to answer any questions you may have.
Concessions and Food Options
Outside food and drink will be permitted in this venue.
Concessions Menu Concession stand open Friday from 10a-5p, Saturday from 9a-5p
NOTE: For EVERY Event, there is NO GRILLING or cooking of food allowed anywhere on the premises at any time. This includes the Parking Lot. If you have your heart set on this idea, please find another off-site location that allows grilling/cooking, like a local park or other approved area.
Hotel Options
Hotel arrangements can be made by searching sites such as: Expedia, Hotel.com, Kayak and hotel’s direct booking sites.
What to Bring to the Event
Your robot, drive station and robot cart.
Your Printed team roster from FIRST. Bring a hardcopy, printed from the Coach/Mentor team Dashboard. (You will need to print a new team roster for each event you attend).
Items to set up your pit and support your robot during the competition. Pits are 10′ x 10′ x 10.’
Safety glasses for everyone on your team. GeorgiaFIRST will not be able to provide these for teams.
"When engaged in FIRST activities, FIRST participants must wear shoes that completely cover the entire foot. Shoes must be substantial and have closed toes and heels to protect against foot injuries, regardless of work location. Flip-flops, sandals, mules, Crocs (even in “sport mode”), lightweight slippers, etc. are not acceptable when working on or near the robot.”
*Make sure your visitors know this. You can read more about this in the FTC/FRC Safety Manual, Section 4.4 Foot Protection
Extension cords and power strips for your pit.
Your Team Fact Sheet to give to the Game Announcer.
Your team spirit and Gracious Professionalism.
A ‘verbal thank-you’ for the volunteers when you see them at the events. They are working long hours to make this event happen.
ADDITIONAL FORMS
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE
If you’re volunteering at the event, be sure to check the Volunteer Schedule in your email for times and locations.
Columbus 2026 Volunteer Schedule
In the event of an emergency or schedule change, all volunteers will be notified via a text message. If the phone number you have entered into VIMS is not a good number for text messages, please send the correction to tdean@gafirst.org