In a groundbreaking event, fully autonomous humanoid robots faced off in China’s first AI-powered football tournament, thrilling spectators with fast-paced action and impressive teamwork without any human input.

The 3v3 match, held Saturday night at the Beijing Smart E-sports Event Center, served as a test run for the upcoming 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games, reported the Daily Times. These advanced robots showcased real-time strategy, coordination, and self-recovery after falls, pushing the boundaries of AI and robotics.

Unlike traditional robot competitions, these humanoid players operated entirely on AI algorithms. They moved independently, passed accurately, and even got carried off the field on stretchers, mimicking real-life sports scenarios and adding excitement to the match.

Four top teams advanced to the finals. Beijing’s Blaze Team wowed with their agility, while Tsinghua University’s Power Intelligent Team stood out with flawless communication. The Mountain-Sea Team impressed with energy efficiency, ensuring consistent performance throughout the high-pressure matches.

In the championship game, THU Robotics from Tsinghua University defeated the Mountain-Sea Team with a 5-3 score. The match followed April’s successful humanoid robot half-marathon, where 20 teams completed over 21 kilometres, highlighting robotic endurance and adaptability.

The 2025 World Robot Conference is now set for August 8–12 in Beijing, featuring over 200 exhibitors. Companies like Unitree and AgiBot will debut their latest humanoid models, while new global standards and reports will shape the future of robotics.