Drone Soccer - a new way to play - 1st March 2024

The worlds of sports and technology have combined to produce a new game. Drone soccer players recently took to the air to show off their piloting skills at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Drone soccer professional Sean Greenhalgh explains the precision involved.

Sean Greenhalgh: "This is the actual competition arena. Right here we got the goal post the goal posts that these drones fly through. And these drones when you're flying through, you only have two to three inches around the drone to fly through that, so it is very precise."

In each five-a-side game, two teams battle for a total of 9 minutes, broken up into 3 sets. The aim is for the lead striker to score by manoeuvring through the opponents' goal, only 58 centimetres in diameter.

Sean Greenhalgh: "In a real competition, there will be ten inside the arena at a time. There's five players on each team consisting of three defenders, two strikers, one is a lead striker the other one is a backup striker. The lead striker is the only one who can score and he's the one with the green tassels underneath the drone."

Drones have become commonplace in photography, and feature increasingly in sectors such as surveillance and even deliveries. The rise in recreational uses such as drone soccer reflects a growing desire for more recreational and competitive opportunities. Similarities have been drawn between the innovative game and Harry Potter favourite quidditch, famous for its broomsticks and 'golden snitch'.

However, with no magic in this game, players are focused on developing strong piloting skills. The introduction of tech into the sporting arena has boosted interest amongst younger players. Meanwhile, the sport's accessible to all ages, genders and physical abilities, which widens equality, claims president of the Federation of International Dronesoccer Association, Ro Sang Heub.

Ro Sang Heub: "There will be a World Cup in 2025 in South Korea, and I dream about this sport being played regardless of any gender, any type of people, disabled people. I wish it becomes one of the major sports played by everybody."

In spite of many cities banning drones due to safety and security concerns, those looking for an opportunity to polish their piloting techniques may just have found what they were looking for.