The opening ceremony of the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games took place at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China, on August 14, 2025.
During the ceremony, robots demonstrated sprinting, soccer, boxing, and other sports.
The competition begins Friday, with more than 500 humanoid robots in 280 teams from 16 countries, including the U.S., Germany, and Japan.
A model poses near robots during the opening ceremony. AP Robots prepare to take part in the opening ceremony. REUTERS A humanoid robot walks on the track. Getty Images Robots demonstrate the sport of boxing during the opening ceremony. AFP via Getty Images Humanoid robots compete in the 100m race. Getty Images A robot practises for the 100m sprint. AFP via Getty Images 5v5 soccer preliminaries. Getty Images A man and a humanoid robot play a musical instrument ahead of the opening ceremony. REUTERS Human performers dance near robots during the opening ceremony. AP A woman takes a selfie with a robot before the opening ceremony. AFP via Getty Images A humanoid robot dressed up in a floral costume participates in the opening ceremony. REUTERS Robots demonstrate football during the opening ceremony. AFP via Getty Images A worker prepares a robot before the opening ceremony. AP Robots march in for the opening ceremony. AP Robots dressed like terracotta warriors are setup before the opening ceremony. AP Engineers and robots take part in the opening ceremony. AFP via Getty Images Participating team debug humanoid robots during the 5v5 soccer preliminaries. Getty Images Humanoid robots are seen before the opening ceremony. Getty Images A humanoid robot gestures. Getty Images Humanoid robot boxers in action during the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games opening ceremony. WU HAO/EPA/Shutterstock Robot named Little Giant dressed up in Monkey King costume. REUTERS A robot with a Labubu doll practises before the opening ceremony. AFP via Getty Images Team members put on a terracotta warrior costume on a Hecbot humanoid robot. REUTERS Humanoid robots take part in a test 100m run ahead of the opening ceremony. REUTERS 
