Meet Makayla Galler, USA Drone Soccer Staff Captain

In case you’ve by no means seen drone soccer in individual, let me let you know — it’s as wild and electrifying because it sounds. I obtained to witness my very first stay drone soccer match at Palm Springs Drone Fest 2025, and who higher to interrupt all of it down than Makayla Galler, a standout determine within the drone soccer world.

She’s earned so many titles she’s misplaced monitor, so I went forward and gave her yet another: Drone Soccer Queen.

Watch our interview collectively right here, together with clips of drone soccer really taking place:

So how does Drone Soccer work?

“It’s form of like Quidditch from Harry Potter,” Galler mentioned. “It’s a five-on-five sport the place the drones are both descending or ascending… there’s sometimes three defenders flying in entrance of the purpose, and the opposite two drones are going out to attain.”

That’s ten drones flying without delay. They’re bumping, dodging, and even smashing into one another in mid-air. It’s quick, it’s decently loud, and it’s completely thrilling to look at.

So, how does drone soccer scoring work?

It largely comes right down to a drone referred to as the Striker.

“That drone is the one drone that may really get a rating,” Galler mentioned. “It flies by the ring, and it has to cross the midpoint line of their enviornment to get one other level. All of the drones should have crossed that time as nicely to attain once more.”

Drone soccer matches are performed in a best-of-three format, and between every spherical, groups get 5 minutes to restore their drones — which they usually desperately want.

What expertise do you must play drone soccer?

The reply may shock you.

“Anyone will be good at it,” Galler mentioned. “It simply takes some follow… when you get that confidence and know, like, ‘Hey, I can do that,’ you begin to progress.”

It’s not nearly flying, both. Mechanical expertise play an enormous function — figuring out your manner round a screwdriver or soldering iron could make all of the distinction when a prop snaps mid-match.

“Attending to be taught as a scholar actually is fairly cool,” she added.

The place can drone soccer take you?

Galler and I met up in Palm Springs, a metropolis we each traveled to. She’s presently a scholar at Arizona State College, the place she is learning Aeronautical Administration Expertise. There, stuudents find out about all issues Unmanned Aerial Methods and Air Transportation Administration.

However as USA Drone Soccer Staff captain, she’s competed all kinds of locations, even internationally.

Her favourite vacation spot to date?

“I might say South Korea,” she mentioned. “Again in 2023 on the IDA World Championship… That was probably the most superb expertise I’ve ever had.”

South Korea, she says, is just like the epicenter of drone soccer innovation.

“I believe they’re like ten years upfront or one thing on the market,” she laughed, including that drone soccer’s progress is simply starting.

“From right here, I believe it’s going to go manner over, past — all around the world,” she mentioned. “I do know right here within the U.S. they’re popping up in every completely different state… I believe this sport might be going to make the Olympics sooner or later.”

You heard it right here first. Subscribe to my YouTube channel to look at the complete interview, and get extra movies like this. And for much more behind-the-scenes drone content material, comply with @TheDroneGirl on Instagram. And don’t overlook to present Makayla Galler a comply with, too! She’s on Instagram as @pilotmakg.

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