FAI Drone Sports

Drone soccer is a fast-growing new air sport that involves two teams up to five players per team whose aim is to score the highest number of goals.

Fun to both watch and play, drone soccer is a futuristic sport that takes traditional football to a whole new level – literally!

Drone Soccer has been included in the FAI Sporting Code as a provisional class (F9A) since 1st May 2019, and the first international tournament - demonstration - took place in November in Korea .

Drone soccer explained

Played indoor or outdoor in a predetermined “flying zone” measuring up to 20m x 10m, drone soccer matches take place consist of three sets lasting three minutes each.

The drones in play, which are operated by drone pilots standing at either end of the pitch, are encased in protective orbs lit up using colourful LED lights – enabling both players and spectators to easily identify members of the different teams.

Only one player on each team – the “striker” – can score by flying his or her drone through the circular goal post placed 3m to 3.5 m above ground. The remaining players must help their striker or prevent the opposition’s ‘striker’ scoring by protecting their goal.

F9A class (Drone Soccer) rules are defined in chapter B of the Volume F9 Radio Control Drone Sport.

• Download the FAI Sporting Code Section 4 Aeromodelling Volume F9 Drone Sport   (Edition 1st February 2023)