Not ideal, but a possible temporary solution until everyone has migrated to Districts...
World Championship: crowns undisputed FRC World Champion (which is important, especially to robot-centric FRC teams)
invitees*:
- Chairman's winners with robots ranked in the top 40% at their last event are invited (but have the option to choose to attend the World Festival instead) - approx 50 teams
- captain and first pick from each Regional winning alliance - approx 160 teams
- top 60% of teams qualifying through District Championships - approx 100 teams
- Engineering Inspiration winners (with robots ranked in the top 40% at their last event) - approx 60 teams
- Rookie All Stars (with robots ranked in the top 40% at their last event) - approx 30 teams
World Festival: crowns undisputed Chairman's Award Winner (which is important to all FRC teams)
invitees*:
- Chairman's winners (with robots ranked in the bottom 60% at their last event or those who choose to forego the World Championships) - approx 30 teams
- second pick from each Regional winning alliance - approx 80 teams
- bottom 40% of teams qualifying through District Championships - approx 70 teams
- Engineering Inspiration winners (with robots ranked in the bottom 60% at their last event) - approx 20 teams
- Rookie All Stars (with robots ranked in the bottom 60% at their last event) - approx 50 teams
- wait-listed teams (similar to the 2015 lottery) - approx 150 teams
Each year Detroit and Houston swap hosting of the Championship and the Festival.
Pros:
- eliminates "co-champions" issue
- at both events FLL and FTC can be present, compete and be inspired
- opportunity for teams at both events to meet others from around the world
- increases the level of competition at the Championship
Cons:
- does not address travel costs (makes it worse depending on the team and their location)
- is there a better way to divide teams from Districts - based on how they earned their points?
- what about teams that qualify in multiple categories?
- at each event Rookie All Star and EI are awarded at the division level only
*the number of teams shown in each category are rough estimates only. Someone more clever than I would have to confirm/adjust.