The opening ceremony on August 14.
On August 14, the world’s first comprehensive competition featuring humanoid robots—the “2025 World Humanoid Robot Games”—officially kicked off at the National Speed Skating Oval, also known as the “Ice Ribbon,” in Beijing. A total of 280 teams from 16 countries and regions gathered in the capital, ready to compete in 487 matches across 26 events, including athletic contests, performance showcases, scenario-based challenges, and peripheral competitions, from August 15 to 17. The event will highlight cutting-edge advancements in humanoid robotics, particularly in intelligent decision-making and motion coordination.
The opening ceremony dazzled with performances blending technology and culture. In the dance piece “Welcome to the World of Carbon-Based Life,” human dancers and robots moved in seamless harmony, symbolizing a dialogue between carbon and silicon. Another highlight, the fashion show “Celestial Craftsmanship,” merged intangible cultural heritage with futuristic design. Over a hundred teams showcased their robotic creations at the Ice Ribbon, featuring everything from street dance and traditional opera performances to collaborative acts with professional dancers. The ceremony culminated with the lighting of the “Intelligent Core”—a metallic pyramid embedded with blue crystal chips—officially marking the start of the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games.
Robot delegations enter the stadium during the opening ceremony.
Centered around the theme “Intelligent Competition for the Future,” the opening ceremony illustrated the fusion of artificial intelligence and sportsmanship. The games feature 21 main events and five peripheral competitions. The main events include athletic contests like the 100-meter dash, 400-meter dash, 1,500-meter run, standing long jump, floor exercise, and 5v5 soccer, as well as performance-based events such as solo and group dance and martial arts. Scenario-based challenges cover tasks like material handling in factories, medicine sorting in hospitals, and cleaning services in hotels. The peripheral events include basketball, table tennis, group dance, freestyle combat, and kung fu combat.
Robots demonstrate freestyle combat during the opening ceremony.
As the world’s first multidimensional humanoid robot competition encompassing “sports, art, and practical applications,” the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games adhere to principles of fair competition, open innovation, safety, and industry collaboration. The event encourages participating teams to push the boundaries of robotic motion through technological breakthroughs and interdisciplinary cooperation, exploring the limitless possibilities of human-robot coexistence.
Beyond being a competitive platform, the games serve as a vital stage for showcasing global technological achievements and fostering dialogue on future industries. According to the organizing committee, the event aims to drive advancements in core technologies such as motion control and environmental perception, while demonstrating the intelligence and versatility of humanoid robots. It seeks to promote international exchange and development in the field, injecting new momentum into the global robotics industry.
