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.

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.A model poses near robots during the opening ceremony. AP

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Robots prepare to take part in the opening ceremony. REUTERS

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.A humanoid robot walks on the track. Getty Images

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Robots demonstrate the sport of boxing during the opening ceremony. AFP via Getty Images

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Humanoid robots compete in the 100m race. Getty Images

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.A robot practises for the 100m sprint. AFP via Getty Images

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.5v5 soccer preliminaries. Getty Images

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.A man and a humanoid robot play a musical instrument ahead of the opening ceremony. REUTERS

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Human performers dance near robots during the opening ceremony. AP

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.A woman takes a selfie with a robot before the opening ceremony. AFP via Getty Images

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.A humanoid robot dressed up in a floral costume participates in the opening ceremony. REUTERS

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Robots demonstrate football during the opening ceremony. AFP via Getty Images

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.A worker prepares a robot before the opening ceremony. AP

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Robots march in for the opening ceremony. AP

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Robots dressed like terracotta warriors are setup before the opening ceremony. AP

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Engineers and robots take part in the opening ceremony. AFP via Getty Images

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Participating team debug humanoid robots during the 5v5 soccer preliminaries. Getty Images

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Humanoid robots are seen before the opening ceremony. Getty Images

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.A humanoid robot gestures. Getty Images

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Humanoid robot boxers in action during the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games opening ceremony. WU HAO/EPA/Shutterstock

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Robot named Little Giant dressed up in Monkey King costume. REUTERS

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.A robot with a Labubu doll practises before the opening ceremony. AFP via Getty Images

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Team members put on a terracotta warrior costume on a Hecbot humanoid robot. REUTERS

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at National Speed Skating Oval, in Beijing, China, August 14, 2025.Humanoid robots take part in a test 100m run ahead of the opening ceremony. REUTERS