[GaryVoshol]

"If they can afford it" because you have to pay to go. $5000 entry fee, plus transportation and lodging. Teams often have to make a snap decision following a win in a Regional, so some teams that qualify this way do not have and do not anticipate getting the funds to attend.

"Buy your way in" is the method of signing up for the Championship at the beginning of the season. FIRST calculates the number of places that must be held for regional winners, and allows teams to register for the remaining places. Teams that have not attended the Championship in previous years are given the first opportunity to register; a few weeks later it is opened to all non-rookie teams. Once on the Championship registration list, teams can assure their position by paying the fee. When the alloted number of spots are filled by paying customers, the remainder of the teams are put on a waiting list. As the regionals are finished, FIRST may find that more spots are available. Team 1024 for example won 3 regionals, so there are two reserved spots available for other teams. These spots are offered to teams on the waiting list, who must make payment to complete their registration.