Riyadh has just exercised the record in the books. The Saudi capital was the venue of a drone show in February 22, 2026, which did not just light up the sky. It was a redefinition of world standards. An enormous air show held at Saudi Founding Day festivals won two Guinness World Records, establishing Riyadh as the epicentre of large-scale drone innovation.
Riyadh Drone Show Breaks Two Guinness World Records On Founding Day
حققنا رقمين قياسيين عالميين مسجلين في موسوعة غينيس للأرقام القياسية، وذلك عبر عرض جوي مبتكر باستخدام الطائرات بدون طيار (الدرونز)، أُقيم في سماء مدينة الرياض بمناسبة #يوم_التأسيس السعودي.
وشمل الإنجاز الأول تسجيل أكبر رمز استجابة سريعة (QR Code) يتم تشكيله بواسطة طائرات الدرونز،… pic.twitter.com/91oaKE7Vfn
— stc السعودية (@stc_ksa) February 24, 2026
Scene Now reported that the Founding Day drone show had the highest number of participants in a multirotor drone QR code formation, and the highest number of moving aerial images formed by multirotor drones. The hundreds of drones were synchronised and produced clear digital images of the Riyadh skyline. The drones at one time were a complete scannable QR code in the sky during the night. Then they changed to a moving aerial view which expanded over a huge space, maintaining its clarity throughout its motion. The two structures were both recognised by Guinness World Records, thus making the event a part of history.
The Reason Behind Why This Drone Show Was Different
Drone shows are not new, but this was one that was different due to technical accuracy. Multirotor drones are highly coordinated; all the movements have to be flawless. A single misplaced drone is sufficient to shatter the image. Not only did this show not lose its form, it also carved out shapes in the air and remained crisp and legible. There was a reason as to why the QR code formation raised eyebrows. It was not ornamental, but practical. It could be scanned by viewers, and the positioning and timing were accurate.
The Skyline Of Riyadh Is In The Limelight
The records were aired over Riyadh, making the city itself a part of the spectacle. The skyline was painted on a canvas, the light was used instead of ink and the drones instead of pixels. The day of founding already has strong cultural overtones in Saudi Arabia. The inclusion of a world-record drone show provided a worldwide advantage to the celebration. It demonstrated that even the national moments could be mixed with modern technology without the loss of meaning.
A Silent Yes To The Team Behind It
The drone performance was included in Founding Day involvement organised by stc Group that contributed to the provision of the scale and technical complexity of such grand performance. These two successes were authenticated by Guinness, who not only acknowledged the visuals but also the engineering field behind these images.
Also Read:Saudi Arabia Opens Hajj 2026 Registration For Domestic Pilgrims Via Nusuk App
Why These Records Matter
Guinness World Records does not give titles easily. All attempts are based on rigorous standards, external verification and live evaluation. The drone show in Riyadh has established a new benchmark of aerial performances in the world, as the drones won two titles in a single event. It increased the standards of what can be accomplished with public drone displays, particularly in the case of national celebrations.
Cover Image Courtesy: stc group/X
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What records did the Riyadh drone show break?
It set records for the largest drone QR code formation and the largest moving aerial image.
When did the record-breaking show take place?
The event was held on February 22, 2026, during Founding Day celebrations.
Why was the QR code formation significant?
It proved extreme precision, as the code was functional and scannable mid-air.