UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is pleased to announce that the U.S. Drone Soccer 2026 District II Championship, “Battle to the Beach,” will take place this Sunday, March 8, 2026, in the SUNY Poly Wildcat Field House. Sixteen teams of students, ages 12–18, from across New York State earned their spots in the District II Championship by competing and advancing through one of the district’s six qualifier events. “We’re excited to see students experience STEM in such an interactive and competitive way,” said
John Reade, SUNY Poly’s Director of Pre-Collegiate Outreach and a longtime CNY Drones volunteer. “Drone Soccer sparks curiosity and creativity while helping students develop teamwork, strategic thinking, and leadership skills. Opportunities like this demonstrate how SUNY Poly supports young innovators as they explore their passions and prepare for future careers.” “I’m pleased that SUNY Poly is leading the way as the U.S. Drone Soccer Association’s Northeast Hub,” said Lisa Marie Payne, Director of Programs at the U.S. Drone
Soccer Association and a SUNY Poly alumna. “U.S. Drone Soccer is a designated co-ed tech sport. We’re growing by an average of eight teams a month nationwide, with New York taking the lead. With SUNY Poly’s support, we’re able to successfully answer the call to help develop student interest in engineering, aerospace, and aviation fields.”
The top teams will battle for the District II Championship trophy and a chance to represent the New York/New Jersey District at Battle at the Beach, the 2026 U.S. Drone Soccer Association National Championship, May 18–19, 2026, at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The District II
Championship is made possible through the efforts of CNY Drones, a volunteer-run, community- based organization, in collaboration with SUNY Poly’s College of Engineering and its student clubs.
The District II Championship at SUNY Poly this Sunday will kick off with opening remarks at 9 a.m., followed by the first matches beginning at 10 a.m. After a full day of competition, the free, public event will conclude with closing ceremonies at approximately 4 p.m.
District II Championship teams hail from across New York State. Multi-year veterans include Mohonasen High School’s Mohon Drones and Madrid-Waddington Central School’s Yellow Jackets.
GST BOCES, home to New York’s largest drone soccer league, will be represented by top teams from the Owego-Apalachin, Spencer-Van Etten, and Bath-Haverling school districts. Also, teams from regional schools such as Little Falls, the Utica Academy of Science, and Citizenship & Science Academy of Syracuse are among the competitors in the 16-team field.
Twenty-four teams from eight U.S. Drone Soccer districts will be invited to the National
Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida. First-, second-, and third-place District II champions, along with three wildcard teams from New York, will make up the largest district contingent. The two-day competition will culminate in the crowning of a National Champion, who will represent Team USA at international competitions sanctioned by the World Air Sports Federation (FAI). Drone Soccer Growing in New York Drone Soccer was introduced to the United States by Drone Sports, Inc., initially beta-tested in Colorado before launching nationally in late 2021. Aligned with the Academy of Model Aeronautics
(AMA), the U.S. Drone Soccer Association — a 501(c)(3) educational organization established in 2023 — provides students with access to a STEM-based build program structured as a competitive sport.
U.S. Drone Soccer’s continued growth in New York, through CNY Drones, focuses on connecting schools and community groups by establishing local and district events. The volunteer organization facilitates the development of teams and offers official summer camps and educator training with their certified staff. Schools can offer classroom-based programs or establish competitive clubs.
Local gameplay feeds into official U.S. Drone Soccer Association Qualifiers, followed by a District and National Championship and international competitions. All events are sanctioned by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and the World Air Sports Federation (FAI). Schools and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to co-host feeder activities and learn more about U.S. Drone Soccer through events hosted at SUNY Poly.
About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly):
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, located in Utica, N.Y., is a vibrant and inclusive community where students, faculty, and staff are empowered through a forward-looking STEAM education and dynamic campus experience. Founded in 1966, SUNY Poly is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of impact, innovation, and service to the Mohawk Valley and beyond. As New York State’s premier public polytechnic, SUNY Poly fosters innovation and interdisciplinary learning across its four colleges—Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Health Sciences—preparing graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Guided by a bold vision for societal impact, SUNY Poly advances use-inspired research and transformative collaborations that drive economic development, technological progress, and humanitarian solutions—locally in the Mohawk Valley and globally across diverse communities. For more info, visit http://www.sunypoly.edu.
About CNY Drones:
CNY Drones, based at SUNY Poly, serves as the U.S. Drone Soccer Association’s District II Director, working in partnership with SUNY Poly. The volunteer-run organization offers technical expertise and logistical support, developing a strong competitive infrastructure in New York and New Jersey while mentoring both college and high school students. Through their 10-year collaboration with SUNY Poly, they have established a regional technical support hub that assists educators and serves as a model for other U.S. Drone Soccer Districts nationwide. CNY Drones volunteers support the National Championship with key staff and equipment, including this May’s event in Florida.
About the U.S. Drone Soccer Association:
The U.S. Drone Soccer Association is on the cutting-edge of STEM, guiding students through building, repair, coding, and flying strategy within a team sport framework. The technical and soft skills learned through Drone Soccer translate into higher education pathways and career opportunities. Easy to implement in safety-oriented, indoor enclosed arenas, Drone Soccer provides a high-energy co-ed sport for technical-minded students.
For more information on membership in the U.S. Drone Soccer Association, and activities in New York, visit: https://cnydrones.org. Educators and community groups can also find national information on U.S. Drone Soccer Association activities, approved equipment, and game rules at https://USDroneSoccer.org.
