On June 21, “Experience Countless Wonders of Chengdu, Study in Chengdu—the 2025 Tour”, hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Chengdu Municipality, Chengdu Municipal Education Bureau, and Chengdu Municipal Sports Bureau, and organized by Chengdu Education Center for International Exchanges, was held in West Village, featuring a unique “aerial” soccer match.

 

 

As the second on-site event of the 2025 Tour, “Drone Soccer Experience Competition” attracted over 30 faculty and student representatives from 15 countries from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Southwest Jiaotong University, Southwest University of Finance and Economics, and Chengdu Agricultural College to participate in this innovative competition in West Village.

 

 

As an innovative convergence of sports and technologies, including aerospace technology, intelligent control systems, mechanical engineering, and competitive sports, drone soccer has rapidly emerged as a new frontier in the global development of tech-driven sports since its inception. It has become an important platform for showcasing cutting-edge technological achievements, fostering innovation capabilities, and promoting teamwork. In recent years, numerous drone soccer events have been held in Chengdu, attracting wide participation from youth and technology enthusiasts.

 

 

At the event, professional coaches provided the international students with training on drone operation techniques and safety standards, introduced various models of specialized competition drones, remote controllers, and other equipment, and shared insights into Chengdu’s drone industry. With strong interests, the international students started with theoretical knowledge and progressed through multimedia presentations, hands-on demonstrations, and assembly activities. They gained knowledge of drone architecture, the physics behind drone flight, and game rules.

 

 

Under the guidance of coaches, the international students began to familiarize themselves with the drone controls. They split into teams and assumed roles such as forwards and defenders. With a referee’s signal, the “aerial soccer match” that transcended traditional boundaries officially commenced! Gravity was defied on the green field—the sounds of cleats on turf were replaced by the hum of spinning propellers, as drones redefined “footwork”. The international students concentrated intensely in the control zone, their fingers deftly maneuvering remote controllers. The atmosphere was lively and energetic, with enthusiastic cheers erupting from the sidelines: “Go! Go! Go!” and “Go!” The mix of cheers in multiple languages added to the vibrantly existing atmosphere, where each team, in a spirit of friendly competition, experienced the charm of aerial soccer.

 

 

In recent years, Chengdu has been proactively promoting the development of the low-altitude economy, aiming to establish itself as the “low-altitude economy hub in western China” and the “leading city for industrial drones”. As an innovative application scenario, drone soccer not only enriches the essence of the low-altitude economy but also promotes drone technology among youth and stimulates further innovation.

Through this event, the international students witnessed the unique charm of the integration of science, technology, and sports in Chengdu and experienced firsthand the significance of team collaboration in innovation practices. Drone soccer is more than a skill competition—it is a convergence of ingenuity. Through seamless teamwork, the international students explored the limitless possibilities enabled by technologies. Chengdu, a city where traditional culture seamlessly blends with modern technologies, continues to shine on the global stage with its distinctive charm of innovative spirit.

 

Edited by Zhang Yuanlin

Source:Chengdu Discovery