Three sets
Each match has three sets of three minutes. The first team to win two sets wins the match.
← All drone kits
Drone soccer for schools and teams
Drone soccer, explained from first flight to competition.
A fast, team-based air sport in which protected drone balls fly, defend and score through suspended goal rings. Build pilot skill with a practice system, then progress to team play, a complete arena and competition preparation.
- Players
- 3-5 per side
- Match
- 3 × 3-minute sets
- FAI class
- F9A Drone Soccer
- Drone balls
- 20 cm or 40 cm class
What is drone soccer?
Football logic, flown in three dimensions.
Drone soccer replaces the football with pilot-controlled multirotors enclosed in spherical protective frames. Each team has one scoring drone, the striker, while the remaining pilots guide attacks, protect their goal and block opponents.
The result connects flight control with communication, strategy, engineering and rapid maintenance. For schools, it can begin as a beginner piloting activity and grow into a structured team program.
How a match works
One scorer. A coordinated team.
Precision matters, but the sport is designed around shared roles. A successful attack depends on the striker finding a route while teammates create space and protect against a counterattack.
- 01
Teams take position
Each pilot controls one protected drone ball from outside the safety cage. The event organiser sets the active team size between three and five pilots.
- 02
One striker can score
Each team names one striker. Only that striker can score by flying completely through the opposing goal ring in the correct direction.
- 03
Teammates create the play
The other pilots guide the striker, protect their own ring and disrupt the opposing team through positioning, blocking and coordinated movement.
- 04
Reset after every goal
After scoring, every active drone on that team must return to its own half before the team attempts to score again.
Official framework
FAI F9A rules at a glance.
Drone Soccer is a provisional F9A class governed internationally through the FAI Aeromodelling Commission (CIAM). The summary below uses the 2026 Volume F9 rules effective 1 June 2026.
One striker
Only the designated striker's drone ball can score; guide and defender drones cannot register a goal.
Complete crossing
The complete striker drone ball must pass through the complete opponent goal ring in the scoring direction.
Enclosed field
The flying zone is surrounded by a safety cage. Pilots control their aircraft from outside at the short ends.
| FAI subclass | Drone-ball diameter | Maximum weight | Recommended flying zone | Goal-ring opening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F9A-A | 40 cm class; must fit within 42 cm | 1.2 kg | 14 × 7 × 5 m | 60 cm internal diameter |
| F9A-B | 20 cm class; must fit within 22 cm | 300 g | 6 × 3 × 3 m | 40 cm internal diameter |
Rule note: Event organisers define the active team size and publish the applicable tie-break procedure. Always check the current event bulletin and technical inspection requirements before competition.
Read the current FAI Drone Soccer rules ↗Governing bodies and competitions
From a school club to the world stage.
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is the world governing body for air sports. Its Aeromodelling Commission, CIAM, maintains the international Drone Soccer rules, while national air sport organisations and event organisers manage entries and competitions.
- 2016Drone Soccer is created in Korea.
- 2019International competition begins and FAI classifies the discipline.
- 2023The inaugural Drone Soccer World Cup is held in South Korea.
- 2025Shanghai hosts the first FAI World Drone Soccer Championship.
See the sport
Competition speed, teamwork and atmosphere.
This official FAI highlight from the 2025 World Drone Soccer Championship in Shanghai shows the pace of a full competition environment.
Arena and equipment
A complete system, not only the drones.
A school can start small, but formal team play requires a protected flying zone, two correctly positioned rings, reliable charging and enough spares to keep sessions moving.
Safety cage or netted arena
Contains the active flying zone and separates pilots and spectators from the drones during match play.
Two suspended goal rings
One ring for each team, sized and positioned for the selected drone-ball class and training format.
Drone balls and controllers
One aircraft and radio per active pilot, with clearly visible team colours and a distinguishable striker.
Batteries and charging
Session-ready battery rotation, suitable chargers and a supervised charging and storage procedure.
Spares and repair tools
Replacement shells, propellers and wear parts plus tools for fast inspection and maintenance between sets.
Storage and program support
Organised cases, setup guidance, pilot drills, instructor orientation and competition-preparation options.
Two ways to begin
Practice first. Progress when the team is ready.
The two models serve different stages of the learning pathway. Practice Drone details come from the supplied product information and media. The final configuration is confirmed in the institutional quotation.
Practice model
Beginner pathway
Practice Soccer Drone
The D5 is a ready-to-go, 20 cm protected drone ball designed for first flights, school demonstrations and repeatable skills training. Its fixed-height mode, six-axis gyro and selectable speed modes help new pilots progress from hover control to ring approaches and team drills.
- Protective fall-resistant shell
- Four brushless motors
- Fixed-height flight mode
- One-key takeoff / slow landing
- Six-axis gyro stabilisation
- 3D tumbling function
- Multi-colour LED lighting
- Low-battery alarm
- Selectable speed modes
- 2.4 GHz multi-player signal
- Model
- D5
- Drone type
- Beginner drone / soccer training aircraft
- Operator level
- Beginner; age range 14+
- State of assembly
- Ready-to-go
- Motor system
- 4 low-noise brushless motors
- Control channels
- 4 channels
- Radio system
- 2.4 GHz remote control; Mode 1 listed
- Approximate control distance
- About 80 m; product information also states 80-100 m
- Product size
- 20 × 20 × 17.6 cm
- Drone battery
- 7.4 V 500 mAh; included
- Controller batteries
- 4 × AA; not included
- Charging time
- Approximately 50-60 minutes
- Playing time
- Approximately 6 minutes
- Use environment
- Indoor or outdoor in a controlled flying area
- Package size
- 39 × 23 × 7.2 cm
- Carton details
- 45.5 × 40 × 48 cm; 12 units per carton
Source: supplied D5 product information and matching product media. Times and radio distance are approximate published values and vary with battery condition, environment and operation. The final package and specifications are confirmed in the quotation.
Request practice-drone pricing ↗Practice demonstration
See the beginner drone in flight.
The supplied demonstration shows the protected 200 mm model, controller operation, altitude-hold flight, speed changes and goal-ring practice.
Competition pathwayAdvanced team pathway
Competition Soccer Drone
A competition configuration is intended for developed pilots, structured team practice and preparation for organised events. Samtech will match the drone-ball class and complete equipment configuration to the institution's target rules and competition pathway.
- Selected for F9A-A or F9A-B pathway
- Spherical protective frame
- Team-colour LED identification
- Distinct striker identification
- Motor-stop fail-safe
- 2.4 GHz radio configuration
Specifications confirmed per proposal
No model-specific Competition Drone figures from the earlier catalogue are used here. Diameter, weight, power system, flight modes, included components and event conformity will be documented for the exact model offered in the quotation.
Program packages
Configure the equipment around your starting point.
Exact quantities, arena dimensions, delivery and training are matched to the facility, learner level and whether the goal is classroom activity, club play or formal competition.
Practice Starter Set
For first-flight skills and school demonstrations before investing in a full arena.
- Practice drone balls and controllers
- Batteries and charging equipment
- Portable training rings or markers
- Essential spares and setup guidance
School Team Package
For repeat club sessions, role-based drills and protected team matches.
- Practice or Competition drone selection
- Netted arena sized to the program
- Two suspended goal rings
- Charging, spares, tools and storage
- Instructor orientation and pilot drills
Competition Preparation
For established teams developing technical, tactical and event-readiness skills.
- Competition drones plus reserves
- Class-appropriate arena and rings
- Team/striker identification setup
- Expanded repair and battery support
- Rules briefing and competition preparation
All packages are customised. Included quantities, compatibility, shipping method and final product specifications are confirmed in the quotation.
Drone soccer questions
Plan the program with the right expectations.
For procurement, delivery and general classroom safety questions, visit the complete FAQ centre.
Browse all FAQs →What is a drone soccer ball?+
It is a remotely controlled multirotor enclosed inside a spherical protective frame. The frame keeps the propellers and aircraft components inside the ball and allows controlled contact during play.
How many players are on a drone soccer team?+
Under the current FAI F9A rules, an organiser selects between three and five active players per team. Each pilot flies one drone ball, and only the designated striker can score.
Do we need a full arena to begin?+
No. A school can begin with practice drones, a controlled flight area and portable training rings. A fully enclosed arena is required for formal match play and should be added as the program develops.
What is the difference between the Practice and Competition drones?+
The Practice model prioritises approachable altitude-hold flight and resilient beginner training. The Competition model adds a carbon-fibre core, brushless performance and advanced flight modes for experienced pilots and team preparation.
Are Samtech's soccer drones FAI certified?+
The listed Competition model fits within the published F9A-B size and weight envelope, but Samtech does not claim FAI certification on this page. Final conformity depends on the complete event configuration, the current rule edition and organiser inspection.
Can the program include training and spare parts?+
Yes. Samtech can configure instructor orientation, student training, batteries, charging equipment, shells, propellers, tools, spare parts, storage and arena setup around the institution's intended program.
Institutional quotation
Ready to build a drone soccer program?
Tell us your learner age, team size, available space and whether you need practice equipment, a full arena or competition preparation. We will configure an institutional proposal.