Over 500 humanoid robots from 16 nations will race, fight, and perform at Beijing’s Ice Ribbon during the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games.
From August 14 to 17, the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games will be held at the China’s National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, also known as the “Ice Ribbon” from the 2022 Winter Olympics. The event will bring together 280 teams and more than 500 humanoid robots from 16 countries across five continents to compete in 26 disciplines and 538 events.
The competition features 192 university teams and 88 corporate teams. Top Chinese universities, such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Wuhan University, will partner with leading robotics companies like Tiangong, Unitree, and Booster Robotics. International teams will travel from the United States, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Japan, and 11 other nations.
China has rapidly become one of the world’s largest robotics markets, with strong investment in AI-driven humanoid technology. The Games will serve as both a showcase for cutting-edge engineering and a testing ground for real-world applications.
Races, Robot Football, and Martial Arts
One of the main attractions will be the 100-metre sprint, with 90 teams already signed up. In the robot football tournament, all matches will be fully controlled by AI algorithms, with no human intervention. For the first time globally, the event will introduce a 5-on-5 format alongside the traditional 3-on-3 games.
Martial arts and free-fighting events will feature robots demonstrating moves inspired by combat sports from around the world. Robots will also compete in performance and scenario-based challenges such as gymnastics, solo dance, hospitality service, cargo handling, and pharmaceutical sorting.
Strong Momentum from Robot Sales
The Games follow the 2025 World Robot Conference, which closed in Beijing on August 12. That event recorded sales of 19,000 robots and related products, generating more than 200 million yuan (about £21.7 million) in revenue. The strong commercial results highlight the growing demand for robotics in both industrial and consumer markets. Beijing has recently opened the worlds first 4S (sales, service, spare parts, and surveys) robot store called Robot Mall. Next door, an AI run robot restaurant has also just opened.
Additional reporting by CNS.
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