Hong Kong’s ambition to cultivate a robust low-altitude economy is being bolstered by a surge of youth engagement in competitive drone sports, ranging from high-speed FPV racing to team-based drone soccer. This integration of technology, engineering, and competitive strategy is rapidly moving from school extracurriculars into the mainstream, positioning the city as a regional hub for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) innovation and talent development.
The growing momentum was clearly on display at a recent five-a-side drone soccer tournament held at Cyberport, which attracted primary and secondary student competitors from across the city and the wider Greater Bay Area (GBA). These high-tech competitions demand not only piloting skills but also technical acumen. Lawrence Tong, a Secondary Two student who captained his team, highlighted the blend of engineering knowledge and rapid tactical execution required. “We look at our opponents’ setups, tweak configuration before the match, and rapidly swap components like cracked propellers mid-tournament,” he explained. For Tong, who started programming drones in Primary One, the sport involves mastering maintenance, flight control, and agile in-game decision-making, skills he hopes to turn into a future academic path within drone technology.
Drone Sports Align with National Standards
The Cyberport event, organized by the DNT FPV Drone Association Hong Kong, China, marked a critical step toward formalizing the sport. Association chairman Sky Yeung noted that the rules, drone specifications, and goal dimensions used in the tournament mirrored the standards set for the 15th National Games.
This year marks a major milestone: the Games’ mass participation program includes an aircraft modeling competition featuring drone soccer, drone racing, and indoor radio-controlled air combat.
Yeung framed these tournaments as both competitive showcases and specialized classrooms. Participants must learn to balance flight performance and endurance, requiring deep understanding of aerodynamics and system tuning. Pilots adjust critical components—including battery management, electronic speed controllers, and PID parameters—to ensure stable handling and maximize flight time. These technical competencies, according to Yeung, directly translate to essential commercial applications, such as cargo operations, infrastructure inspection, and search and rescue missions. The DNT FPV Drone Association currently provides courses and activities to approximately 150 local schools, actively nurturing the young talent needed for Hong Kong’s burgeoning low-altitude sector.
Dedicated Infrastructure Removes Bottlenecks
Safety and suitable infrastructure have long posed a challenge for the fastest category of drone competition: FPV (First Person View) racing. These drones, which transmit live video to the pilot’s goggles, can reach speeds in excess of 300 kph, requiring secure, dedicated venues.
Until recently, many Hong Kong flyers traveled to GBA cities to find appropriate tracks. That situation fundamentally changed in October with the launch of the city’s first dedicated, enclosed drone sports centre located at Cyberport.
Eddie Lok, Head of Engineering Services at Cyberport Management Company, confirmed the high demand for the new facility, noting steady bookings from both training providers and enthusiasts. With drone disciplines now recognized at global competitions such as the National Games and the World Games, Cyberport is establishing itself as a key regional player. The goal is to host cross-boundary fixtures with Mainland Chinese teams and attract international tournaments.
As the Cyberport 5 expansion nears completion, Lok stated the campus remains committed to supporting government initiatives to develop the low-altitude economy, promising continued investment in facilities that align with industry needs, ensuring Hong Kong’s young pilots and engineers are ready to lead the future of UAV technology.