Racing Drones Market Report 2026

The racing drones market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.72 billion in 2025 to $2.02 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing popularity of fpv drone racing leagues driving demand for high-performance racing drones, increased sales of lightweight frames and powerful motors enabling competitive maneuverability, rising demand for lipo batteries to support high-speed racing performance, expansion of repair and maintenance services as drone racing participation grew, early adoption of drone customization and tuning services to optimize racing performance.

The racing drones market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.83 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing commercialization of professional drone racing events boosting demand for advanced racing drones, rising adoption of next-generation transmission systems for lower latency fpv control, growing demand for modular drone frames enabling frequent component upgrades, expansion of premium customization services driven by competitive differentiation, advancing battery technologies improving speed, endurance, and overall racing drone performance. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for lightweight and durable drone frames, increased adoption of fpv racing events and global competitions, growing market for custom-built and upgraded drone components, expansion of drone repair, maintenance, and tuning services, increasing use of high-performance lipo batteries for enhanced speed.

The growing popularity of esports is expected to drive the growth of the racing drones market in the coming years. Esports popularity refers to the widespread interest and increasing audience engagement in competitive video gaming across global digital and live platforms. This growth is primarily fueled by greater accessibility to games and the rise of streaming platforms that allow audiences worldwide to watch and interact in real time. Racing drones enhance esports by providing high-speed, real-time competitive experiences that combine physical skill with digital precision, attracting both players and spectators to immersive gameplay. For example, in November 2024, the Greater London Authority (GLA), a UK-based government agency, reported that an expenditure of up to $20,050 USD (£15,000) was approved to commission a report on esports in London for 2024-25. This funding was evenly divided, with $10,025 USD (£7,500) allocated from the Culture, Creative Industries, and 24-Hour London budget and $10,025 USD (£7,500) from the Major Sports Events budget. Consequently, the growing popularity of esports is driving the growth of the racing drones market.

Leading companies in the racing drones market are investing in advanced FPV transmission technologies that offer clearer visuals and reduced latency, enhancing pilot control and responsiveness during races. These FPV transmission systems enable real-time video relay from the drone’s camera to the pilot’s display, allowing immersive first-person control. For example, in January 2025, SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd., a technology company based in China, introduced the O4 Air Unit Series. This new lineup features cutting-edge digital video transmission and imaging technology, providing ultra-low latency and a range of up to 15 km for an elevated FPV flight experience. The series supports 4K recording at up to 120 fps (in the Pro version), with a 1/1.3″ sensor that captures vivid detail and dynamic range. It also includes RockSteady 3.0+ stabilization, dual antenna setup, Betaflight OSD support, and compatibility with DJI’s newest goggles and remote control systems.

In April 2024, Infinite Reality, Inc., a US-based technology and entertainment firm, acquired Drone Racing League for $250 million. The purpose of this acquisition was to amplify fan engagement and transform the spectator experience in sports and entertainment using immersive technology. By integrating Drone Racing League’s sophisticated ecosystem and tech solutions, Infinite Reality intends to reimagine how audiences connect with competitive events. The Drone Racing League Inc. is a US-based organization that specializes in hosting and producing drone racing events, known for delivering high-impact 3D drone racing content with mass appeal.

Major companies operating in the racing drones market are Da-Jiang Innovations Science and Technology Co. Ltd., 3D Robotics Inc., Autel Robotics Co. Ltd., Guangzhou Walkera Technology Co. Ltd., Parrot Drones SAS, MJX R/C Technic Co. Ltd., ImmersionRC Limited, Orqa d.o.o., Shenzhen iFlight Innovation Technology Co. Ltd., Shenzhen Hubsan Technology Company Limited, Skytech Drone Systems Inc., Lumenier LLC, Swagtron Inc., EMAX Model Co. Ltd., BETAFPV Technology Co. Ltd., Shenzhen Eachine Technology Co. Ltd., Pyrodrone LLC, Uvify Inc., Shenzhen GEPRC Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., Airjugar Technology Co. Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the racing drones market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the racing drones market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on drone components such as motors, batteries, frames, and electronic controllers are increasing production costs and disrupting supply chains for the racing drones market. Regions heavily dependent on imports particularly Asia-Pacific and North America face higher retail prices and delays, especially in segments like ready-to-fly drones and component upgrades. While tariffs create short-term cost pressures for manufacturers and racing organizations, they also encourage local production, component sourcing, and innovation in domestic drone manufacturing ecosystems, creating long-term competitive advantages.

The racing drones Market Research Report is one of a series of new publications that offers data on the racing drones market, including global industry size, regional distribution, market shares of leading competitors, comprehensive segmentation, and insights on market trends and opportunities. This racing drones market research report provides a holistic view, offering detailed analysis of both current conditions and future outlook for the industry.

Racing drones are fast and nimble unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) specifically engineered for competitive racing, where pilots steer them through intricate obstacle courses using first-person view (FPV) systems. These drones are optimized for high performance, incorporating lightweight structures, powerful motors, and quick-response controls that enable swift acceleration and sharp turning capabilities.

There are three primary types of racing drones: ready-to-fly, bind-and-fly, and almost ready-to-fly. Ready-to-fly racing drones come completely assembled and pre-tuned, allowing immediate use straight out of the box without any need for additional setup or parts. These drones are integrated with advanced features such as first-person view (FPV), GPS-based navigation, autonomous flight functions, and hybrid or electric power systems. The essential components of these drones include the airframe, motors, cameras or sensors, propellers, battery, flight controller, and other crucial parts. They are employed in multiple applications including sport racing, freestyle racing, drone-based cinematography, and surveillance. Their users range from government entities and environmental consultancies to real estate developers, private enterprises, and non-governmental organizations.

The countries covered in the racing drones market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The racing drones market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as repair and maintenance services, drone racing event management, component upgrades, drone customization services, and tuning services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The racing drones market also includes sales of custom-built racing drones, lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries, transmitters and radio controllers, antenna systems, and drone frames. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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