The opening match of the 2026 Wuyue Cup Taizhou division kicks off at Taizhou Sports Center. [Photo/Tide News]

The opening match of the 2026 Wuyue Cup Taizhou division took place at Taizhou Sports Center in East China's Zhejiang province on April 10. The event featured a technology-driven performance that combined soccer, robotics, and cultural elements.

The show incorporated logistics drones, martial arts robots, and drum-performing robots, creating an immersive experience for spectators. As the lights went out at 7 pm, multiple drones rose into the sky to form a countdown, followed by aerial displays of local cuisine and laser projections of landmarks across the city.

Robotics played a central role throughout the performance. In one drum sequence, robots led more than 100 traditional drums, while a 400-meter dragon moved in sync with the rhythm. Martial arts robots also performed alongside human actors, demonstrating synchronized movements and eliciting a strong audience response.

During the kickoff ceremony, a logistics drone delivered the match ball to the center of the field. Flying at an altitude of 60 meters and a speed of 10 meters per second, the drone completed a 380-meter route in about 40 seconds before landing.

Sky Gride, a company based in Taizhou Bay New Area and developer of the logistics drone, said the drone, with a payload capacity of 10 kilograms and a flight time of about 30 minutes, reflects the application potential of low-altitude logistics technology.

The event highlights Taizhou's manufacturing capabilities and aims to promote integration between emerging industries and sports.