Drone Soccer - a fun new sport - 1st March 2024

'Drone soccer' brings together sport and technology. The game was shown at the Las Vegas electronics show. The players have to be very good pilots.

Sean Greenhalgh's a professional drone soccer player.

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 drone soccer games, two teams of 5 players play against each other. Each 9 minute game's divided into three sets. The team's lead striker scores by flying through the goal.

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 are often used for taking photos. They're also making deliveries now. Drone soccer shows that people are interested in using drones more widely. They're good for playing games and taking part in competitions. Some people have compared drone soccer to quidditch. That's the magic sport which Harry Potter plays.

Drone soccer players just need good flying skills, which means anyone can play. Teams can include players of any age, gender or disability. Young people like the fact that the sport includes technology.

Ro Sang Heub's president of the Federation of International Dronesoccer Association.

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."

Cities around the world have banned drones. They can be a danger when flown badly. Drone soccer allows people to develop their flying skills.