Teams from across the state competing for trip to National Championship

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.