The Drone Racing World Cup 2025 concluded today in the capital, Riyadh, in a global event held under the patronage of Riyadh Season and organized by the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones in cooperation with the International Air Sports Federation.

The tournament saw participation from more than 140 pilots representing 50 countries, earning it a place in the Guinness World Records as the largest edition by number of participating countries.

Top Finishers

In the finals, 64 competitors qualified, with the podium going to:

  1. Minchan Kim (South Korea) - 1st place and a prize of SR375,000.
  2. Killian Rousseau (France) - 2nd place and a prize of SR285,000.
  3. Joaquin Ybanez (United States) - 3rd place and a prize of SR185,000.

A Historic Middle East Edition

Riyadh's hosting of the Drone Racing World Cup marks the first time the tournament has been held in the Middle East and North Africa region, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening its presence in the technology and sports sectors and supporting innovation in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Accompanying Events and Visitor Experiences

Alongside the competition, the event offered visitors a range of interactive experiences, including:

  • A free flight zone for trying out drone piloting.
  • Speed racing challenges.
  • Use of virtual reality (VR) technology to simulate the race atmosphere.
  • Educational workshops on designing and building drones.

The event also featured a prize draw for visitors, adding to the exciting, interactive atmosphere.

A Global Achievement for the Kingdom

By securing a Guinness World Records title for the Riyadh edition of the tournament, the Kingdom continues to affirm its position as a global platform for hosting major sporting and technological events, reinforcing its leadership in hosting future events and supporting innovation on the international stage.