Future Phygital Games, set for 2026, to attract more than 1500 athletes to Astana
Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, has been chosen as the host for the groundbreaking Phygital Games of the Future in 2026. This global event, which merges traditional sports with digital innovation, is set to take place from July 18 to Aug. 1, 2026.
Organised in partnership with the World Phygital Community, a network of 98 countries promoting this emerging sport, the Phygital Games will bring together over 1,500 athletes from approximately 100 countries. The event aims to showcase the convergence of physical and digital sports on an unprecedented scale.
The 2026 Games will feature 13 disciplines that blend physical and digital elements, spanning four main categories: sports, technology, tactics, and battle. Specific disciplines include football, basketball, boxing, hockey, battle royale, and MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) games. Each discipline is designed to test both physical prowess and digital skills, offering a unique competitive experience.
Competitions will take place across several major venues in Astana, including the Qazaqstan Athletics Complex, Barys Arena, and the Alau Ice Palace. A special exhibition, City of the Future, will also be held, showcasing advancements in robotics, virtual/augmented reality, and digital education.
The selection of Astana as the host city was due to its long-standing sports traditions, innovations, and technologies. Phygital International CEO, Nis Hatt, stated that the tournament will attract global attention, while Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov expressed commitment to strengthening cooperation in developing phygital sports.
The Phygital Games of the Future 2026 in Astana will be a pioneering global event, showcasing the convergence of physical and digital sports on an unprecedented scale. The preparations for this event are on track, with ranking tournaments running from July to December 2025. The event is expected to boost interest in phygital sports among Kazakhstan’s youth, with over 1.5 million Kazakhstani residents already involved in cybersports.
| Aspect | Details | |-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dates | 2026 (main event); ranking tournaments July–December 2025 | | Location | Astana, Kazakhstan | | Disciplines | 13 phygital (e.g., football, basketball, boxing, hockey, MOBA, battle royale) | | Categories | Sports, Technology, Tactics, Battle | | Athletes | ~1,500 from ~100 countries | | Major Venues | Qazaqstan Athletics Complex, Barys Arena, Alau Ice Palace | | Organizers | Phygital International, World Phygital Community (98 countries) | | Special Features | "City of the Future" tech exhibition |
- The Phygital Games of Future 2026, taking place in Astana, Kazakhstan, promises to exhibit the harmonious blend of sports, technology, artificial-intelligence, and gaming, with disciplines like football, basketball, and MOBA games merging physical prowess with digital skills.
- Accompanied by a special tech exhibition called City of the Future, featuring advancements in robotics, virtual/augmented reality, and digital education, the event will also present gadgets and technologies that embody the essence of phygital sports.
