Overview
Drone Soccer 3×3 is a team sport played in the air. Two alliances, each made of three teams flying one caged 'drone ball', face off inside a netted arena with a hanging hoop goal at each end.
Each alliance assigns three roles — Defender, Attacker and Golden Ball Drone. Only the Golden Ball Drone can score, by flying completely through the opponents' hoop.
This is not the Drones category: Drone Soccer is an alliance-based match game, while Drones is a solo precision-piloting mission.
What teams must accomplish
- Work as a three-team alliance to score more goals than the opposing alliance in each match.
- Protect your own hoop while setting up scoring chances for your Golden Ball Drone.
- Progress from the group stage through the knockout rounds.
Skills being tested
- Manual piloting in a crowded, fast-moving airspace
- Team communication and tactical roles
- Quick recovery after collisions
- Battery and equipment management across several matches
Age eligibility & divisions
One division; each age category competes separately.
| Age category | Published ages |
|---|---|
| Kids | 10 to 12 years |
| Teens / Senior | 12+ to 18 years |
| Adults | 18+ years |
Team composition
- Teams of 2 to 3 members. Individual entries are not accepted.
- Each team names one Technician — the only team member allowed in the waiting and competition area. The Technician may change between attempts or matches.
- Every team member must be at least 10 years old.
- Each team needs a coach aged 20 or over. A coach must bring one assistant for every three teams they register.
- One robot per team. Robots may not be swapped during the competition or shared between teams.
- An alliance is made of three teams. For 2027 the official rules state that all three teams in an alliance should come from the same school or institution.
- If one team is absent the alliance may play with two drones, provided one is the Golden Ball Drone.
Robot & equipment requirements
- Only the drone-ball model specified by the organisers may be used, without modification to the drone, controller or motors.
- Remote-controlled operation.
- LEDs that can show at least red and blue, so each alliance flies in its own colour.
- Maximum size 20 × 20 × 18 cm (±1 cm) and maximum weight 140 g.
- At least one spare battery.
Format & scoring overview
Format
- Arena: a 4 m × 6 m netted field with an 80 cm hoop goal hanging at each end.
- Matches last four minutes with no half-time; the clock does not stop.
- Group stage followed by knockout rounds, a Final and a Small Final (3rd/4th).
- After a goal the scoring alliance must return to its own half.
Scoring
- A goal counts only when the Golden Ball Drone passes completely through the opponents' hoop.
- Group stage: 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss. Ties are separated by goals scored, then goals conceded, then penalties.
- Drawn knockout matches go to a penalty shoot-out (10-second attempts, three each, then sudden death).
- 1st, 2nd and 3rd place are announced in each age category.
Essential safety requirements
- Matches are flown inside a fully netted arena.
- Deliberately trying to damage an opponent's drone results in a red card and ejection.
- Drone balls and controllers are checked at an initial technical inspection; failing it means disqualification.
- Rule ZERO applies: if you are not sure something is allowed, assume it is not and ask the organisers.
Preparation checklist
- Confirm with the organisers which drone-ball model is specified for MRC Ghana 2027.
- Form an alliance of three teams from your school or institution.
- Agree alliance roles (Defender, Attacker, Golden Ball Drone) and practise together.
- Check LED colours, weight and size; prepare spare batteries.
- Practise penalty attempts and returning to your half after goals.
Awaiting clarification
- For MRC Ghana 2027, ages are counted on 19 February 2027, the first day of the competition. The official rules do not set this date themselves, and adjacent bands share boundary ages (for example '10 to 12' and '12+'); the Ghana organising committee will confirm the category for anyone on a boundary age.
- The official rules require 'the specified Drone Ball model' but do not name it on the rules page. The Ghana organisers will confirm the model.
- The tournament structure depends on the number of alliances entered; the group and knockout format will be confirmed before the event.
Videos
Drone Soccer — official category video
Short official H.E.R.O. video introducing Drone Soccer. Not a rules explanation — read the official rules.
Source: Hellenic Educational Robotics Organization on YouTube · Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
Ready to compete in Drone Soccer 3×3?
19–20 February 2027 · Accra, Ghana · Venue to be announced