This weekend’s Drone Fest at Palm Springs High School could be first of its type

Remember to look to the skies this weekend as PS Drone Fest takes flight Friday at Palm Springs High School. The festival launches a weekend packed with activities and sports centered around drones, kicking off with an elaborate light show set to the music of world-renowned musician Esther Anaya, who will perform live during the event.

According to Tim Ingram, president of FIDA (Federation of International Drone Soccer Association) USA, the festival aims to highlight the positive aspects of drone technology and inspire interest in the industry. The event will feature keynote speakers, drone racing, workshops, industry leaders and influencers, food vendors, and live music and entertainment throughout the weekend.

The festival’s highlight is the FIDA Drone Soccer World Cup Qualifier, where teams from around the world will compete to represent their nation at the 2025 FIDA World Cup in Seoul, South Korea. The tournament will feature over 50 teams, including approximately 20 local and 30 international teams.

According to Ingram, the three-day festival is not only a first for Palm Springs but also the first of its kind in the world.

“There’s never been a festival like this anywhere,” he said. “There have been a lot of trade shows that are mostly business-to-business, but we’ve created something that is essentially business-to-individual and much more entertainment-oriented than a normal trade show.”

According to Ingram, drone soccer is a fast-growing international sport inspired by the Harry Potter movies. It blends aviation, competition, and teamwork. The game features two teams, red and blue, each consisting of five pilots, totaling 10 players on the field. Every team comprises three defenders and two strikers who work together to navigate drones through a goal area.

The game is played in three-minute periods, during which pilots must skillfully maneuver their drones while bouncing off opponents in an attempt to score.

Beyond entertainment, drone soccer has strong educational benefits. The sport introduces children as young as 4 to drone technology and is increasingly integrated into school systems as a gateway to STEM education. Drone soccer has gained significant recognition on the global stage, with international tournaments featuring teams from 28 countries. It is officially recognized by FIDA and has even been demonstrated as a sport at the Olympics.

Drone soccer is also played in schools, with Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) leading the way in adopting the program, according to Ingram. The district has been using the drone soccer system for two years and actively developing competitions.

“We want to show people the realities of the drone industry, and with the massive shortfall of drone pilots, we want to get kids interested in the field,” Ingram said. “It’s a future for kids, and it’s a sport that’s really fun for them too.”

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Details: For more information on this weekend’s event, turn to this website.

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