The Inaugural World Drone Soccer Championship Kicks Off in November, Bolstering Shanghai's Bid to Become a World-Class Sports Event Hub
Today, Mr. Bin Xu, Director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports, was invited to the "2025 Shanghai Livelihood Interview" program, where he elaborated on Shanghai's digital transformation journey in sports. In this process, Shanghai has vigorously developed *"virtual sports"* — an innovative discipline that preserves the essence of traditional sports while ingeniously integrating modern technological elements. This fusion of heritage and innovation has made it a trending tech-sport among younger generations. Beyond the high-profile virtual sports events, Shanghai will host the inaugural World Drone Soccer Championship from November 15-18, undoubtedly a crown jewel among the city’s 2025 international sporting calendar. The event will not only showcase Shanghai’s cutting-edge advancements in technology-driven sports but also reinforce its vision as an innovative, open, and world-class hub for global sporting events.
01: Advancing the Integrated Development of Technology and Sports
Director of Shanghai Administration of Sports: Bin Xu
"The hosting of the first World Drone Soccer Championship holds particularly significant meaning for the development of Shanghai's technology-driven sports."
As the inaugural global drone soccer tournament certified by the FAI as a Class A international event, the successful hosting of this championship in Shanghai has not only brought the city remarkable international attention but has also established Shanghai's leadership position in technology-powered sports, setting a new benchmark for global tech-sport competitions.
By hosting this premier event, Shanghai will further enhance its visibility and influence in international aeronautical sports and technology-driven athletics, showcasing the city's comprehensive strengths and innovative vitality across technology, sports, and cultural sectors.
02: Building a Closed-Loop Ecosystem for the Tech-Sports Industry
Director of Shanghai Administration of Sports: Bin Xu
"Secondly, we have introduced the 'Shanghai Solution' for tech-sports development in conjunction with this event. We aim to use this tournament as a leverage point to genuinely advance the construction of an ecosystem integrating drone sports with related industries, thereby establishing a Chinese model for the integrated development of technology and sports."
The inaugural World Drone Soccer Championship will be held concurrently with the second Shanghai Tech-Sports Expo, creating a synergistic model of "international top-tier tech-sports competitions + national-level industry exhibition." The expo will feature drone soccer demonstration matches alongside emerging tech-sports programs such as programming robots, robot soccer, and robot combat competitions.
Catering to diverse demographics, the event will offer:
- Safe mini-drone operations equipped with AI systems tailored for youth participants
- Senior-friendly experience zones with simplified control interfaces
- Accessible competition equipment and dedicated pathways for disabled visitors
This comprehensive programming truly achieves immersive public participation in tech-sports, fully demonstrating Shanghai's innovative thinking and practical achievements in integrating technology with sports development.
03: The Event Will Empower the Development of Low-Altitude Economy
Director of Shanghai Administration of Sports: Bin Xu
"Thirdly, I believe this event will significantly boost the development of Shanghai's low-altitude economy."
In July 2025, the International Low-Altitude Economy Expo will also be held in Shanghai, providing the drone soccer championship with an enabling platform for technological validation, standard-setting, and ecosystem development. The technologies and application scenarios derived from the event will further propel the low-altitude economy industry, creating a two-way synergy between tech-sports and low-altitude economic development. This will drive industrial upgrading and innovation in Shanghai's low-altitude economy sector.
Lets Meet In SHANG HAI
At 1994
Shanghai successfully hosted the World Control Line Model Aircraft Championships
Drawing athletes from across the globe to Shanghai
The event captured international attention
etched a defining chapter in Shanghai's sports history.
Today, artificial intelligence
permeates every facet of life
and the world of sports is no exception
The inaugural World Drone Soccer Championship in Shanghai
is more than a tribute to the past;
it's a bold stride into the future.
Leveraging this event as a catalyst,
Shanghai's tech-driven sports sector will advance its vision of becoming a world-class hub for international sports events,
showcasing the limitless potential of this city of tomorrow.
11/15-18
Lets Meet In SHANG HAI
