Game On! Humanoid Robots Battle in Global Sports Championship

In Beijing, whistles blew and the crowd cheered, not for human athletes, but for robots.

The World Humanoid Robot Games opened with an electrifying soccer match between two robot teams, marking the start of a three-day celebration of sports and technology.

Over 280 teams from 16 countries, including the U.S., Germany, and Brazil, have gathered to compete in both traditional sports like boxing, football, and track and field, as well as robot-specific challenges such as sorting medicines, handling materials, and performing cleaning services.

Among the 280 teams, 192 represent universities and 88 come from private enterprises, including major robotics companies like Unitree and Fourier Intelligence. Competitors are showcasing humanoid robots developed by leading Chinese manufacturers such as Booster Robotics.

China is investing billions into humanoid robotics, driven by the need to address an ageing population and compete with the U.S. in advanced technologies.

With tickets priced between $25 and $80, the event blends futuristic spectacle with serious tech ambitions, promising to be a defining moment in the evolution of sports and robotics.