Drone ARENA Soccer Cup 2026 Bulgaria is an FAI Open international Drone Soccer competition held as part of Inter Drone Expo 2026 in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 6 to 9 October 2026. The competition will be conducted under the FAI rules in Class F9A – Subclass B, and is included in the official FAI calendar, making it one of the few events worldwide in this discipline scheduled for the year.
The event provides a standardized competitive environment for international teams, ensuring full compliance with FAI sporting and technical regulations.
Download the official event bulletin here: Bulletin 1 – 02-2026
Format & Teams
Each team may consist of up to five players and one coach. Matches are played with three active players in Subclass B, using 20 cm drone balls.
The competition will consist of a group stage, followed by knockout and final rounds. In case of a tie during knockout or final matches, the winner is determined by the first goal scored in overtime.
Youth Category – Starter Class
A Student Cup will be held alongside the International Subclass B competition. This category uses Starter Class drone balls (20 cm) equipped with brushed motors and 2S LiPo batteries.
Matches are played in a group format, with a duration of two minutes per game. Student Cup teams must register separately and indicate “Student” in the registration comments.
FAI Jury
The FAI jury will be formed in accordance with point C.7.3 of the CIAM General Rules, ensuring compliance with international sporting standards.
Registration
Teams may register for the Drone ARENA Soccer Cup 2026 Bulgaria using the official registration form: https://forms.gle/VrZNtUdcsJwdGZcs8
The registration deadline is 7 September 2026.
Entry Fee
The participation fee is 200€ per Subclass B team.
Insurance
The organizer will provide limited third-party liability insurance. Participants remain responsible for any damage they may cause during the event.
