NK Drone Racing 2026 - Ranking 1
Dutch Nationals
09 May 2026 | Winterswijkse Luchtvaart Club
The Dutch National Drone Racing Championship 2026 (NK Drone Racing) officially kicks off with Ranking #1 at the Winterswijkse Luchtvaart Club. After a successful return of the championship in 2025, Dutch Drone Racing continues to build a professional, competitive, and internationally recognized series for the best FPV drone pilots in the Netherlands.
Organized by Stichting Dutch Drone Racing and supported by the Koninklijke Nederlandse Vereniging voor Luchtvaart (KNVvL) and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the championship follows the official F9U regulations, ensuring fair and transparent competition at the highest level.
Ranking #1 marks the start of the road to the national title. With only three ranking events in the season, every result counts. The top 16 pilots in the standings will ultimately qualify for the NK Final.
The championship opens at the Winterswijkse Luchtvaart Club, a well-known and proven venue within the Dutch drone racing scene. This location has previously hosted NK-level competition and offers the perfect setting for high-level outdoor racing.
The club is also home to former Dutch Champion Niels Meerdink, making it a meaningful and inspiring place for both seasoned competitors and upcoming talent.
With its open layout and strong aviation roots, Winterswijk provides a fast, technical, and fair race environment—ideal for kicking off the championship season.
🚁 High-level FPV drone racing with the best pilots in the Netherlands
🏁 A professionally designed outdoor track focused on speed, precision, and strategy
🎯 Official F9U race format with accurate timing and strict race management
🤝 A competitive yet community-driven atmosphere
Qualifying
Pilots start with qualifying rounds in heats of six. The fastest three consecutive laps determine their ranking. Each pilot receives an equal number of attempts.
Top 16 Advancement
The 16 fastest pilots advance to the elimination stage.
Eliminations
Pilots compete in a double-elimination format (FAI-style), racing in heats of four. Each race follows a first-to-3-laps format.
Final – Chase the Ace
The event concludes with a Chase the Ace final, where a pilot must win twice to secure victory. This can result in two to five final heats, keeping the outcome uncertain until the very end.
In case of a tie:
The NK Final later in the season includes a 1.2x points multiplier, ensuring maximum tension until the final race.
As an officially recognized championship under KNVvL and FAI guidelines, NK Drone Racing serves as the foundation for selecting the Dutch national team for international FAI competitions.
Following the strong comeback of the NK in 2025, the 2026 season continues to grow in professionalism and scale. With multiple venues across the Netherlands and strong collaboration with clubs, Dutch Drone Racing is building a sustainable and future-proof national championship.
Ranking #1 in Winterswijk is where the journey begins.
A proven location, a fresh season, and the first step toward becoming the Dutch Drone Racing Champion 2026.
More information about registration, rules, and event details will be announced soon via the official Dutch Drone Racing channels.
See you at the start line! 🚀🏁
Pilots with a paid ticket for this event.
