China hosts world's largest 'Quidditch' drone soccer championship

The Ablefly National Drone Soccer Championship Finals, held from February 7 to 9 in Chengdu, China, concluded as the world’s largest drone soccer tournament, featuring over 10,000 participants and 1,116 teams from both China and abroad. The event, hosted by the People’s Government of Chengdu City and the Chinese Society of Aeronautics, showcased drone soccer as an emerging competitive sport that combines engineering, hand-eye coordination, and teamwork. Played by maneuvering spherical drones through opposing goals, the fast-paced game has been likened to a real-world version of “Quidditch” from the Harry Potter series. The tournament employed a progressive elimination format, narrowing the field to a final 16 teams, with 242 certified referees ensuring fair play and safety throughout hundreds of matches. The championship highlighted the growing popularity of drone soccer among youth, students, hobbyists, and technology professionals, reflecting Chengdu’s status as an innovation hub receptive to new consumer technologies. The event