---
title: "ESPN to Broadcast National Drone Racing Championships"
description: "ESPN announced a multi-layer international distribution deal with the International Drone Racing Association (IDRA). The network will air the first event on August 5."
date: "2016-04-14"
modified: "2016-04-14"
authors:
  - name: "Sarah Marquart"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/sarah_fqtq"
url: "https://futurism.com/espn-broadcast-national-drone-racing-championships"
categories:
  - "Drones"
  - "Robotics"
  - "Robots and Machines"
tags:
  - "drone"
  - "ESPN"
  - "racing"
---

# ESPN to Broadcast National Drone Racing Championships

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/ESPN-to-Broadcast-National-Drone-Racing-Championships-A.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/tech/drone-racing-goes-mainstream-espn-091502390.html" target="\_blank"\>Yahoo Tech \</a\>\</em\>*

Yesterday, ESPN announced a [multi-layer international distribution deal](<http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/espn-drone-racing/>) with the International Drone Racing Association (IDRA). Now, you can watch competitors [fly their ](<https://futurism.com/rotorx-atom-making-drone-racing-accessible-everyone>)[quadcopters](<https://futurism.com/rotorx-atom-making-drone-racing-accessible-everyone>) thorough specially designed racecourses from the comfort of your couch.

The eagle-eyed view from the on-board camera promises to amaze viewers (and maybe make them a bit nauseous).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGlBLBwvFRo

“Drone racing gives anyone the ability to fly like a superhero,” IDRA chairman Dr. Scot Refsland commented.

“Because everyone can experience the thrill of racing as if they were sitting in the drone cockpit, the sport is skyrocketing. To go from a first ever, U.S. national drone race to partnering with ESPN for international distribution in eight months is truly a sign of great things ahead.”

Get out your calendar—the network's first IDRA event will be the 2016 U.S. National Drone Racing Championships, scheduled for August 5. The event will take place on Governors Island in New York City over three days.

If you plan on tuning in, the action will be live-streamed on ESPN3 and broadcast later as a one-hour special on one of its TV channels.

### Author social links  
[Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/sarah.marquart>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-marquart-ba7aa38b>)  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/sagaofsarah>)