The countdown is on! There is just one year to go until the launch of 12th edition of The World Games in Chengdu, China and the pressure is mounting for drone racing pilots who hope to qualify to compete at this huge event.

Drone racing pilots are among the 3,000 athletes from around the world who are aiming their sights on the multi-sport competition. Air sports have been part of The World Games since 1997 and drone racing featured for the first time in 2022, when the event was held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA.

Mascot and slogan released

To mark the 'one year to go' date, the International World Games Association (IWGA) has released the mascots and slogan for this edition of The World Games.

Mascots Shu Bao, a giant panda, and Jin Zai, a golden snub-nosed monkey will adorn the new merchandise and be present to promote the games. The mascots were chosen to represent the natural wonders of the Sichuan province and the vibrant city of Chengdu. 

The slogan has been announced as 'Boundless Sports, Countless Wonders', and encapsulates the diversity and intensity of the sports featured in the event, as well as the rich experiences offered to visitors and residents alongside the games.

A One-Year-to-Go Countdown Ceremony took place at the International Friendship Hall in Chengdu, and coincided with events in Beijing and Hong Kong.

Drone Racing at The World Games 2025

2022 champion of drone racing at The World Games, Killian Rousseau of France, is hoping to perform well enough during the qualifying events to get the chance to travel to Chengdu:

“I hope to compete in The World Games in 2025 in Chengdu because this is, for me, one of the most famous events around the world, and it’s an awesome achievement to be invited and able to compete in this event.”

He goes on to add, “I also have to defend my title from 2022 and this is my chance to do it. This is exactly why I invest so much time, practice and hard work into drone racing. My experience in 2022 was incredible, the global event was so big and impressive, and my wish is to make it to The World Games again. It's a race where every single pilot fought together to be there and a recognition of all our hard work.”

The 2024 FAI World Drone Racing Championship (WDRC) is part of the qualification for The World Games 2025, alongside the FAI Drone Racing World Cup.  The WDRC will take place in China, in the city of Hangzhou. Ranking lists will be published by 1 February 2025 and qualified pilots will have until 30 April 2025 to confirm their place at The World Games, Chengdu.  

Drone racing dates and venues

• Competition dates: Thursday 14th, Friday 15th and Saturday 16th August 2025
• Competition venue: Secondary stadium at Dong'an Lake Sports Park, Chengdu