Aug. 6, 2026
A Competition for Novel Drone Designs – Open to the Public
The DARPA Lift Challenge is a national competition to reinvent vertical and heavy-lift aviation. The final four days of competition are open to the public from Aug. 6-9, 2026, from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET in Dayton, Ohio. Admission is free.
DARPA invites the community to watch competitors demonstrate novel drone designs that are both lightweight and powerful. After months of development, teams representing established companies, startups, universities, and garage-innovators will assemble for a “chase the leader” competition. Drones weighing no more than 55 pounds will attempt to carry four times their weight (220 pounds) or more over a demanding 5-nautical-mile course. Those with the highest payload-to-weight ratios and novel designs will win $6.5 million in prizes.
But it’s not just a prize competition – it's a catalyst for long-term growth and innovation across the American drone industry. Participants will play a critical role in advancing vertical lift technologies that will have far-reaching benefits for military missions and civilian needs.
BYOB - As in Binoculars!
This is a large venue, so we encourage you to bring binoculars. We'll also display the drone runs on Jumbotrons at the venue and via livestream on our YouTube channel throughout the event.
Virtual Livestream
The full competition will be live streamed on YouTube for the duration of the competition from Aug. 2-9.
Join Us!
This is a free, outdoor event held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. To help with planning, we ask spectators to register in advance.
Get details and reserve your seat!
