SUNY Poly to Host 2025 U.S. Drone Soccer District II Championship in Marcy

On Sunday, March 2, 2025, SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) in Marcy, New York, will transform its Wildcat Field House into a high-flying arena for the 2025 U.S. Drone Soccer District II Championship. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 16 teams of students aged 12 to 18 from across New York State will compete for the District II title and a chance to advance to the national stage. Hosted by CNY Drones and SUNY Poly’s College of Engineering, this event highlights the growing intersection of Drone Technology, STEM Education, and competitive sports.

A Gateway to National Glory

The District II Championship serves as a critical stepping stone in the U.S. Drone Soccer ecosystem. The 16 teams earned their spots through six qualifier events held in January and February, showcasing their skills in this fast-paced, aerial sport. The winners in Marcy will secure berths at the 2025 U.S. Drone Soccer National Championship, scheduled for May 2–3 in Alexandria, Virginia. This year marks a milestone, with 24 teams from 11 districts nationwide converging at nationals, where a single National Champion will emerge to represent Team USA in international competitions sanctioned by the World Air Sports Federation.

Veteran teams like Mohonasen High School’s Mohon Drones, Madrid-Waddington Yellow Jackets, Cicero-North Syracuse Northstars, and Vernon-Verona-Sherrill’s Red Devils bring experience to the field. They’ll face fresh competition from Greater Southern Tier BOCES, which enters the fray with four teams honed through a 15-school league. With the event open to the public, spectators can witness firsthand how these young pilots navigate their drones through a netted arena, aiming to outmaneuver opponents and score.

Drone Soccer: More Than a Game

Drone soccer blends the thrill of competition with the rigor of engineering. Players operate quadcopters encased in protective exoskeletons, designed to withstand collisions as teams of five attempt to score by flying their drones through a floating goal. Beyond the excitement, the sport demands technical prowess—students must build, program, and repair their drones, skills that translate directly to STEM career paths.

John Reade, SUNY Poly’s director of Pre-Collegiate Outreach and a CNY Drones volunteer, emphasized the event’s broader significance. “SUNY Poly is proud to host this exciting event,” he said. “Drone Soccer is an incredible platform to engage students in STEM fields while fostering leadership, teamwork, and other essential skills. It perfectly aligns with SUNY Poly’s mission to inspire and support the next generation of innovators and leaders.” His words underscore how this championship is as much about education as it is about competition.

CNY Drones, a volunteer-run organization, orchestrates New York’s drone soccer teams in partnership with SUNY Poly’s technology-focused student clubs and College of Engineering. With over 270 programs nationwide and an average of eight new teams joining monthly, the sport’s growth reflects its appeal as both an educational tool and a competitive outlet.

Technical and Market Implications

From a technical perspective, drone soccer showcases advancements in small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The drones, ruggedized for contact, rely on durable frames, reliable flight controllers, and open-source software that students can modify. This hands-on experience mirrors real-world UAS development, where resilience and adaptability are paramount. The sport’s equipment, detailed at USDroneSoccer.org, is designed to be affordable and repairable, lowering barriers to entry for schools and community groups.

Market-wise, drone soccer taps into the expanding Drone Industry, projected to reach $63 billion by 2030 in the U.S. alone. Educational initiatives like this championship cultivate a pipeline of skilled operators and engineers, addressing workforce demands in sectors like logistics, agriculture, and defense. SUNY Poly’s location in New York’s “drone corridor”—stretching from Syracuse to Rome’s Griffiss International Airport—positions it as a hub for such innovation, amplifying the event’s regional impact.

Regulatory Landscape

Drone soccer operates within a controlled indoor environment, sidestepping many of the regulatory hurdles outdoor drone activities face under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, its alignment with the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the FAA’s Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) ensures participants gain foundational knowledge applicable to broader UAS operations. As the sport grows, its influence could nudge regulators to further integrate educational drone programs into national aviation frameworks, balancing safety with innovation.

Industry Context and Future Outlook

SUNY Poly’s recurring role as a drone soccer host—it previously held the 2023 National Championship—cements its status as a Northeast leader in UAS education. The collaboration with CNY Drones, supported by entities like the Air Force Research Laboratory, reflects a robust ecosystem fostering youth engagement in aerospace. The sport’s international sanctioning by the World Air Sports Federation hints at its potential to evolve into a global phenomenon, mirroring esports’ trajectory.

Looking ahead, the championship’s success could spur infrastructure investments, such as dedicated drone arenas, and inspire collegiate-level competitions. With New York teams consistently advancing to nationals, the state’s drone soccer community is poised to shape the sport’s domestic and international future.

DroneXL’s Take: A Launchpad for Innovation

The 2025 U.S. Drone Soccer District II Championship at SUNY Poly is more than a regional showdown—it’s a testament to how drones are redefining education and competition. By blending technical skill with teamwork, the event equips students for a drone-driven future while spotlighting New York’s role in this emerging field. As the winners prepare for Virginia, the broader industry watches, recognizing that today’s players could be tomorrow’s UAS pioneers.

For those interested in joining or learning more, CNY Drones offers a gateway into this dynamic world. This championship isn’t just a win for the teams—it’s a victory for STEM education, proving drones can soar beyond hobbyist circles into the heart of technological progress.

Photos courtesy of US Drone Soccer / CNY Drones