First ever FAI World Drone Soccer Championships kicks off this Saturday in Shanghai
The inaugural FAI World Drone Soccer Championships kicks off in Shanghai, China on 15 November with futuristic and fast-paced matches set to bring the thrills of a team game to the world of air sports.
Drone Soccer is a groundbreaking discipline that introduces a new “match” dynamic to the world of air sports: players work together as a team to get a striker drone into a goal, while defending their own against the opposing team.
The 2025 FAI World Drone Soccer Championships will take place from 15 to 18 November 2025, hosted by the Aero Sports Federation of China (ASFC) in collaboration with the Shanghai Science and Technology Sports Management Centre.
Eighteen nations have entered teams into this World Championship, in one or both of the two classes:
- F9A-A: 5 active players (+ 2 substitutes) with larger drones (up to 40 cm diameter)
- F9A-B: 3 active players (+ 2 substitutes) with smaller drones (up to 20 cm diameter)
The top team in each class will be crowned FAI Drone Soccer World Champion on 18 November. Gold, silver and bronze FAI medals, as well as diplomas, will be awarded to team managers and players.
Shanghai Stadium, located in Xujiahui Sports Park, Xuhui District, is a world-class venue that will be transformed into a drone soccer arena for the competition.
The event will be open to the public, with live display screens and real-time scoring available in the stadium as well as via digital platforms. Spectator safety will be assured with protective screens, designed not to affect the visibility of the action.
President of the FAI Aeromodelling Commission, Antonis Papadopoulos, who will attend the event, stated:
“All the players are thrilled to have their sport recognised at World Championship level and to compete alongside the best international teams at such a wonderful venue in Shanghai. It has been exciting to see this new team air sport develop among the drone sport community, and we’re proud to have brought it to a global stage.”
Schedule
- 15 November: Model processing, Officials briefing, Opening Ceremony
- 16-17 November: Competition group stage (1st and 2nd rounds), Round of top 16
- 18 November: Quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals; Closing Ceremony
Alongside the competition, public events to celebrate the World Championships will include drone light displays, an aeromodelling carnival, interactive exhibits and a Closing Gala Dinner.
What is Drone Soccer?
Exciting to watch and play, Drone Soccer takes football to a whole new 3D level, as teams control their drones (encased in an orb) around the caged ‘pitch’.
Each team’s drones are lit up with their team colours, and one player is the ‘striker’ – the aim is to get the striker drone into the goal to score. Other players must aid their teammate to score whilst the opposing team defends their goal. There are three sets of three minutes each.
Precision flying, teamwork and strategy combine to make a thrilling, fast-paced competition.
Follow the 1st FAI World Drone Soccer Championship
FAI will cover the competition with updates on the website and FAI social media channels.
Credit: Antonis Papadopoulos
Top picture: Credit: Yong-chan NAM / KAMA
