The drone race competitions in Japan and around the world! Learn everything from how to compete to basic knowledge!

In drone competitions, gates and flags are placed on the course where the drone is flown, and contestants compete for the speed and skill to pass through them in the fastest time. Many competitions are held around the world and in Japan, expanding opportunities for participation. If you are interested, check information on regularly scheduled competitions and give it a try. This article provides detailed information on how to participate in drone competitions, as well as information on domestic and international competitions.

What is drone racing?

Drone racing is an exciting competition in which pilots (racers) compete for speed by flying a drone around a specific course. Each competition has different rules, including lap time races and total time races. There are also individual and team competitions for entry units. There are no age restrictions, and a wide range of participants, from children to adults, can take part in the races. Because piloting skills are so important, skill is required rather than physical strength, and it is a rare competition in which competitors of any age can compete on equal terms.

The opportunity to get rich also exists, as drone races can offer large cash prizes. The venue is divided into a cockpit and a course, and racers control their drones from the cockpit. The type of course varies from event to event and can be indoor or outdoor. The choice depends on personal preference and adaptability to the environment. Come and enjoy the excitement of drone racing as the racers battle it out and the high-speed action of the drones.

How do I compete in drone racing?

Learn how to participate in drone racing. No special qualifications are required, but a “radio license” is required to participate in FPV drone racing. In addition, an aircraft registration is required for drones weighing 100g or more.

Other minimum requirements include a dedicated racing drone. Prices vary depending on specifications, with entry-level models for beginners starting at around 10,000 to 30,000 yen. If you want a more serious challenge, you will be interested in switching to a better-performing aircraft costing 50,000-100,000 yen.

Consideration should be given to the cost of participation. In most cases, a participation fee of 10,000 to 20,000 yen is required. Although a minimum of equipment and expenses are required, the sport does not require any other special qualifications or large initial investment, so if you are interested, you can easily participate in the sport.

In particular, there are many competitions for beginners, and it is a good idea to participate in competitions while having fun in the process of becoming familiar with drone operations. If you are considering taking up the challenge of drone racing, why not start by selecting the appropriate aircraft and checking competition information?

Drone Race Competition Information

We provide information on popular drone racing competitions in Japan and around the world.

Drone racing in Japan

First, we will explain in detail about drone racing competitions in Japan, where the hurdles to participation are low.

JAPAN DRONE LEAGUE

One of the largest drone racing competitions in Japan, organized by the Japan Drone League, a general incorporated association, the competition started in 2016 and has been hotly contested every year. There are three categories: Open Class, Pro Class, and Expert Class, and participants can join according to their piloting level, making it suitable for everyone from beginners to expert pilots.

This competition also serves as a ranking to select the Japanese representatives for the FAI World Drone Racing Championship, one of the largest in the world, and talented pilots participate and compete with each other. The competition is held five to six times a year, with heated drone battles taking place all over the country.

JDSF

The Japan Drone Sports Federation (JDSF) has decided to hold its first drone racing event at Fujikyu Highland in June 2023.JDSF is an organization established in November 2022, which aims to create a professional league. JDSF will continue to organize races and events to promote the development of drone sports, he said.

The competition will feature FPV 3-inch drone racing; 2023 will be the inaugural event, with ongoing competitions planned for the future. It will be a new competitive arena for drone enthusiasts and professionals.

SUPER DRONE CHAMPIONSHIP

The SUPER DRONE CHAMPIONSHIP is one of the largest drone racing competitions in Japan, and was jointly organized in 2020 and 2021 by DRONE SPORTS Corporation, NTT Plala Corporation, and NTT Docomo, Inc. The 2021 event was held at Makuhari Messe under the theme of “Interplanetary Flight,” and attracted attention for its space-like lighting and challenging course.

This competition uses FPV aircraft that are 1.7 times larger than 5-inch drones. The competition was shown on TV Tokyo Sports’ YouTube channel, spreading the appeal of drone racing to a wide audience; information on holding the competition after 2021 is currently undecided, but it is a high-profile event.

Drone Impact Challenge

The competition is organized by an organization that aims to contribute to society through drone technology. Competitors from Japan, China, Korea, Indonesia, and other countries gather to compete in this international competition. In addition to the competition, the event also includes a symposium to discuss the possibilities and applications of drone technology and a hands-on drone class for children, making it a multifaceted event.

The event is attracting attention as a place to enjoy both competition and learning while feeling the impact of drone evolution on society.

JDRA

JDRA (Japan Drone Racing Association) is the organizer of drone racing competitions held throughout Japan. Among these, events such as the “Japan Drone Championships,” in which the fastest drones from all over Japan compete, have attracted much attention.

In addition, a wide variety of types of competitions are held, including micro drone races and mission-completion type races. JDRA is promoting the appeal of competitions and improving skills through drone racing.

JMA TINY DRONE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Organized by the Japan Multicopter Association (JMA), this is an unusual competition in which participants compete in skills using ultralight drones weighing less than 40 g. The race began in 2019 in the arcades of the “Oyama Bokancho Shopping Arcade”. Since then, the event has been held in various locations throughout Japan starting in 2021. Participants compete for the total points earned in each event, and if they are able to finish at the top of the annual league, they can win a total of 1 million yen in prize money.

World Drone Racing

It is recommended not only for those who want to challenge higher level races, but also for those who want to try it as a sightseeing trip. The following is a detailed description of drone racing competitions around the world.

World Drone Prix

This is a drone racing competition with a total prize fund of 113 million yen. It is being highlighted as “one of the world’s largest drone races. The competition also attracted attention when a team led by a 15-year-old boy pilot won the championship.

FAI World Drone Racing Championships

The FAI-approved drone racing competition is as large as the World Drone Prix and features a spectacular light-colored course and state-of-the-art technology gimmicks. The first place prize is 30 million yen. The event is held in Shenzhen, China, a mecca for advanced drone companies, and Japanese teams are known to participate.

Drone Champions League

It is Europe’s premier drone league, and since its inception in Australia in 2016, its popularity has spread around the world. In 2021, the Japanese professional team RAIDEN RACING was crowned world champion.

X-FLY

The drone racing project started in Shanghai, China in 2017. The Great Wall of China, one of China’s most iconic landmarks, is the stage for the competition, which is held five times a year. The season’s champion is determined by the cumulative total of team points, and the exciting competition has attracted attention in the business world.

DroneGP

This is a professional drone league from Shanghai, China. It also offers a cash prize of approximately 340,000 yen for the winner. It has a long history and started in March 2018 and has been attracting a lot of attention since the first round. Characteristically, only 12 racers are allowed to participate, and only those with a proven track record in the past are eligible. All races are held at night, and high-level competitions are held on dynamic and glittering courses decorated with LED lights.

the world games

the world games” are international competitions in which athletes of the world’s highest standard compete in a selection of events not included in the Olympic Games. Organized by the International World Games Association (IWGA) and supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the games are held once every four years, in the year following the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Japan’s national team also participates, and in 2022, junior high school student Kazuma Kaminoseki won the 6th place in the world with an excellent performance.

summary

Was there a drone racing competition that caught your interest? Drone racing is gaining momentum around the world as a fusion of the latest technology and sports. Various competitions are being held in Japan and abroad. The appeal of drone racing is the sense of unity and excitement as racers compete for cash prizes, honors, and even more importantly, the chance to improve their skills.

For those who are interested in entering drone competitions and want to start practicing, indoor practice facilities are recommended. One of the best known is the ” Mobinavidome, ” one of the largest indoor training facilities in Japan dedicated to drones, located in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. This facility was constructed at low cost using a tent warehouse, providing a weather-resistant facility with a short construction period. This facility will help improve your skills by allowing you to practice drones in a brightly lit environment.

For those who do not have an indoor practice facility nearby or who want to set up a drone practice site as a company, we recommend the “tent warehouse” option, which is also used by the facility ” Mobinavidome “.

Tent warehouses can be built in a short construction period and require little lighting during the day because of the light inside the warehouse. Because of their low cost and weather resistance, they can also be used as drone training sites.

If you are looking to commission a tent warehouse, we recommend Taiyo Kogyo Corporation, which has been in business for 100 years & has the No.1 market share in Japan.