Meet Makayla Galler, USA Drone Soccer Staff Captain

For those who’ve by no means seen drone soccer in individual, let me let you know — it’s as wild and electrifying because it sounds. I acquired to witness my very first reside drone soccer event 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 observe, so I went forward and gave her another: Drone Soccer Queen.

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

So how does Drone Soccer work?

“It’s sort 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 directly. 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 observe.

So, how does drone soccer scoring work?

It principally comes all the way 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 means of the ring, and it has to cross the midpoint line of their area 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 typically desperately want.

What expertise do it’s essential to play drone soccer?

The reply would possibly shock you.

“Anyone might be good at it,” Galler mentioned. “It simply takes some observe… 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 a giant position — figuring out your means round a screwdriver or soldering iron could make all of the distinction when a prop snaps mid-match.

“Attending to study 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 at the moment a scholar at Arizona State College, the place she is learning Aeronautical Administration Know-how. There, stuudents find out about all issues Unmanned Aerial Techniques and Air Transportation Administration.

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

Her favourite vacation spot thus far?

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

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

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

“From right here, I feel it’s going to go means over, past — everywhere in the world,” she mentioned. “I do know right here within the U.S. they’re popping up in every completely different state… I feel this sport might be going to make the Olympics at some point.”

You heard it right here first. Subscribe to my YouTube channel to observe the total 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 neglect to provide Makayla Galler a comply with, too! She’s on Instagram as @pilotmakg.

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