Rapid React is themed around transportation as part of the FIRST-wide FIRST Forward theme for 2021-2022.
Rapid React is played by two alliances of three teams each, with each team controlling a robot and completing specific actions in order to score points. The game revolves around both alliances shooting inflatable balls known as Cargo into a central Hub and climbing within their Hangars at the end of the match. The overall objective of each match is to score more points than the opposing alliance before the match ends.
The 2022 season is the first season since 2016 to feature a single championship, which will take place in Houston, Texas from April 20 to April 23. As a result, approximately 450 teams will be invited to compete at the championship as opposed to over 800 teams in 2019 (the most recent year with an in-person championship).