China has officially launched its first humanoid robot football league. And while the players may not breathe, they’re already learning to dribble, shoot, fall, and get back up.
The RoBoLeague, which began on June 28, 2025 in Beijing, pits AI-controlled humanoid robots against each other in fully autonomous 3-on-3 soccer matches. The first match featured robot teams developed by Tsinghua University and China Agricultural University. Tsinghua’s squad won the game with a final score of 5-3.
The robots were provided by Booster Robotics and are roughly equivalent in capability to 5- or 6-year-old children, according to videos posted online. But unlike your average kindergartener, these bots play without any human guidance. Every move, from chasing the ball to strategizing gameplay, is powered by artificial intelligence.
Not a Stunt
At first glance, it might sound like a publicity gimmick. But it’s not. This match was the first of its kind in China: a fully automated soccer game where humanoid robots operated entirely on their own. And it’s just the beginning.
Behind the friendly scoreline is a deeper ambition. China is betting that competition, especially in sports, will help accelerate advances in humanoid robotics and AI, turning its robot athletes into smarter, more stable, and more agile machines that could one day work in warehouses, elder care, or even the military.
The RoBoLeague is part of a broader national push. In April, Beijing hosted a half-marathon where humanoid robots attempted to run 21 kilometers alongside humans. One bot finished the race in 2 hours and 40 minutes, well behind the human winner, but a significant achievement nonetheless. In May, a martial arts match between two humanoid robots took place in Hangzhou. In August, Beijing will host the World Humanoid Robot Games.
How It Works
Each match in the RoBoLeague is played on a small soccer pitch using three robots per side. These robots use integrated AI systems to make real-time decisions, from ball tracking to player positioning and goal attempts. They’re programmed to operate without human control and can even recover after being knocked over or falling during play.
Still, the robots are far from perfect. Video clips of the match show frequent falls, awkward tackles, and plenty of unintentional collisions. The organizers admitted that the robots struggle with object tracking, especially keeping track of a fast-moving soccer ball, and navigating obstacles. To compensate, rules were adjusted. Minor collisions aren’t penalized, and robots that become incapacitated can be swapped out.
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