Hundreds of pilots from around the world register for the 2026 World Drone Racing Championship

China News Service, Guangzhou, November 13 (Reporter Wang Jian) ​​The 2026 World Drone Racing Championship Promotion Conference was held in Guangzhou on the 13th. It was announced at the meeting that the event is scheduled to be held in Guangzhou from December 9th to 12th. Currently, one hundred professional pilots and 20 professional teams from more than 30 countries and regions have signed up to participate.

On-site promotion meeting. Photo provided by the event organizing committee

According to reports, the event is hosted by the Federation of Aeronautical Sports International (FAI) and hosted by the Aviation Radio Model Sports Management Center of the State Sports General Administration, the China Aeronautical Sports Association, the Guangzhou Sports Bureau and other units.

At the promotion meeting, Jiang Yongjun, deputy director of the Guangdong Provincial Social Sports, Training and Competition Center, introduced that this event is the highest level drone racing event officially certified by the International Aviation Federation (FAI). It is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and is known as "Aerial F1", representing the highest competitive level of global drone racing.

The competition event is F9U first-person drone racing, which lasts four days and has complete rounds. At that time, one hundred professional pilots and 20 professional participating teams from more than 30 countries and regions around the world will compete on the same field, and more than 40 international referees and technical officials will participate in rule enforcement, technical inspection and appeal adjudication.

Jiang Yongjun said that this event is the first time that Guangzhou has hosted the Aviation Science and Technology Sports World Championship with such a concentration of participating countries and regions. The event is co-located with the 27th Guangdong International Sporting Goods Expo at the same time, attracting mutual attention, and supporting low-altitude economic forums, industrial exhibitions, aviation science and technology sports carnivals and youth science popularization activities, emphasizing "hosting a competition, developing a series of industries, and retaining a group of capabilities."

It is understood that Guangzhou will use this event as a window to showcase the city's innovative vitality and low-level economic and industrial strength to the world, and enhance the city's international influence, industry driving effect, consumption and cultural tourism vitality, and urban governance capabilities. (over)