World Humanoid Games: Robots play soccer, race and leave crowds stunned

On August 15, Beijing hosted a first-of-its-kind spectacle — the World Humanoid Robot Games — with over 500 android athletes taking the stage. From sprinting duels and kung fu face-offs to chaotic yet thrilling soccer matches, the event delivered a surreal mix of clumsy falls and bursts of jaw-dropping agility. Audiences gasped as machines mirrored human movement with eerie precision, and viral clips have already turned the Games into a global talking point. Take a look…

Tiangong Ultra, a humanoid robot, blazes across the finish line to clinch first place in the E-Town Humanoid Robot Half Marathon in Beijing, China.

Booster Robotics’ T1 humanoid robots spring into action at the debut World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.

A PNDbotics humanoid robot tackles the 100-metre obstacle race at the Games, staged inside the National Speed Skating Oval.

In a hospital-simulation challenge, a humanoid robot deftly sorts medical equipment at the National Speed Skating Oval during the Games.

Unitree Robotics’ humanoid fighters wait ringside before stepping into a kickboxing match in Beijing.

A Tiangong humanoid robot competes in the 100-metre race during the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China.

Jubilation erupts as Team Robotera celebrates with their humanoid after a gold-winning high jump performance at the Games.

A humanoid robot competes in the high jump event at the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China.

A participant assists a BXI Robotics humanoid robot during the high jump event.

An attendant gestures next to silver medalists Jianghuai Sky Jumpers in the high jump competition.

A humanoid robot takes part in a simulated hotel cleaning challenge held at the National Speed Skating Oval.

Team members prepare a robot for a medical sorting in hospital scenario competition at the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China

A Unitree Robotics humanoid robot races through the 100m obstacle course at the debut World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China.

Another humanoid goes domestic in a hotel-cleaning simulation at the National Speed Skating Oval.

On the football field, Booster Robotics’ T1 humanoid charges at the ball, trying to score alongside human players.