“Rumble in the Valley”

In July of 2027, SUNY Polytechnic's Utica, NY campus will transform into an Olympic-style village, creating a dynamic, immersive experience for participants and visitors. Over 20 countries will send their best drone soccer teams to the Mohawk Valley to determine who will become the official world drone soccer champions!

​

The FAI World Drone Soccer Championship will include:

​

• Opening ceremony (“first impression” showcase) 

• Cultural food and entertainment experiences Drone light/fireworks displays

• Family-friendly activities and youth engagement zones

• Recreational sports and campus-wide programming

• Celebration of regional diversity (42 ethnic groups represented)

 

 

The Path to Recognizing Official Competition and World Rankings

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the non-governmental, not-for-profit organization that manages the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement. The IOC was founded in Paris in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas, and is based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), or World Air Sports Federation, is the world governing body for all air sports. The FAI has a long-standing relationship with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The FAI is also headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, in fact the IOC recommended the founding of the FAI in 1905 to represent the growing number of aviation-related sports. In 1985, the IOC recognized the FAI as the global governing body for air sports.

 

The FAI's members affiliate with the IOC's National Olympic Committees (NOCs), which authorize or sanction organized national and world championships.

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is the United States representative to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). The NAA is a founding member of the FAI and its largest member. The NAA is a nonprofit organization founded in 1905 that promotes the science, art, and sport of aviation and space flight. The NAA is headquartered at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C.

The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is a long time associate member of the National Aeronautic Association (NAA). The AMA is recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale as the only organization that can direct USA participation in international aeromodeling activities.

The U.S. Drone Soccer Association is recognized by the Academy of Model Aeronautics as the Special Interest Group (SIG) for FAI F9A Drone Soccer for the United States of America.

The U.S. Drone Soccer annual National Championship teams represent the USA on the world stage as FAI F9A Team USA through FAI Sport Licensure and official FAI F9A international event sanctioning to establish true world ranking and world championship team status and recognition.