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- The three-day event is among the myriad activities in the ongoing Riyadh Season
- The cup marks the first of its kind in the MENA region since its inception in 2016
RIYADH: Prizes exceeding SAR1.3 million await winning participants in the Drone Racing World Cup, which begins Thursday at Boulevard City in Riyadh.
Organized by the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, in collaboration with the World Air Sports Federation, the three-day event is among the myriad activities in the ongoing Riyadh Season.
The cup marks the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa since its inception in 2016, highlighting Saudi Arabia's commitment to the sector.
This year's edition features world champions in drone racing, including Kim Minjae and Yuki Hashimoto, winners of the 2024 FAI World Drone Racing Championship; Killian Rousseau, winner of the 2023 FAI Drone Racing World Cup; Luisa Rizzo, twinner of the 2024 Women's FAI Drone Racing Championship; Min Chan Kim, the winner of the 2023 FAI World Drone Racing Championship;
Several Saudi pilots will also compete, including Muhannad Al-Wohaibi, Ibrahim Al-Sultan, Dalia Al-Safar, Al-Anoud Al-Shalaan, Bader Mutlaq Al-Raqas, Nawaf Al-Hamoud, and Salma Attallah Al-Aqbi.
The qualifying rounds will start Thursday and continue until midday Friday, followed by the finals on Saturday.
The event will host an activity zone featuring various accompanying activities, including a Drones Hub for teaching amateurs and professionals; a Drag Racing Zone for speed competitions on a straight path; a Fly Free Zone designed for testing and operating drones; a VR Drone Racing simulation using virtual-reality glasses; Drone Workshops for training, designing, assembling, and building drones; and a Fans Zone dedicated to watching the Drone Racing World Cup competitions.
This edition marks the inaugural season of the Drone Racing World Cup, consisting of a series of rounds held in leading countries in the drone racing field.