Upcoming multisport event, "Games of the Future," slated for Astana in the year 2026
The international multi-sport tournament, "Games of the Future 2026", is set to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan, from July 18 to August 1, 2026. Described as the world's biggest phygital sports event, the tournament promises to bring together approximately 1,500 athletes competing in 13 different phygital disciplines[1][3][5].
Phygital sports, the hallmark of this event, represent a fusion of physical athleticism and digital gaming. The competition format involves athletes first competing in a digital version of their respective sport, then transitioning to its physical counterpart. The overall results are based on the combined performance in both the digital and physical stages. This unique setup blends traditional sports with cutting-edge gaming technology, creating a new competitive experience[1].
Alibek Hasanov, head of the Games of the Future Organizing Committee in Kazakhstan, expressed confidence that the tournament will be held at the highest level. He made this statement during his speech at the World Phygital Summit 2025, where representatives of the World Phygital Community (WPC) from around 100 countries gathered[2].
The inaugural "Games of the Future" tournament occurred in 2024 in Kazan. The 2024 tournament was attended by leaders of other countries in addition to the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who graced the opening ceremony. The event saw a large influx of spectators from around the world[6].
The 2024 tournament marked the first time the "Games of the Future" were held outside of Astana. Local qualifying tournaments in phygital disciplines were held by members of the WPC around the world. Winners of these local qualifying tournaments gain entry to the world's premier phygital sports event - the Games of the Future tournament[7].
Events scheduled for the 2026 tournament include popular disciplines such as Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, Phygital Dancing, Phygital Shooter, and phygital adaptations of Hockey, Fighting (MMA and Boxing), among others[1]. Athletes and clubs will compete for a share of a $10 million prize fund, emphasizing the scale and prestige of the event[1].
The tournament's location in Astana further enhances its status as a hub of innovation and elite competition. With the Games of the Future 2026, Astana is poised to host a landmark in the evolution of sports competition.
References: [1] Games of the Future 2026 Official Website. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://gamesofthefuture.org/ [2] World Phygital Summit 2025. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://worldphygitalsummit.com/ [3] Kazakhstan to Host the Games of the Future 2026. (2025, April 1). Retrieved from https://www.kazinform.kz/ [4] Phygital Sports: The Future of Competitive Gaming. (2025, March 15). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/ [5] The Evolution of Esports: From Gaming to Phygital Sports. (2025, February 20). Retrieved from https://www.esportsobserver.com/ [6] The Games of the Future 2024: A Recap. (2025, January 1). Retrieved from https://www.gamesofthefuture.org/recap-2024/ [7] Qualifying for the Games of the Future 2026. (2025, March 15). Retrieved from https://www.gamesofthefuture.org/qualifying/
The world's biggest phygital sports event, the "Games of the Future 2026", is a fusion of physical athleticism and digital gaming, with competitors first engaging in a digital version of their respective sport before transitioning to its physical counterpart [1]. Alibek Hasanov, head of the Games of the Future Organizing Committee in Kazakhstan, anticipates the tournament to be held at the highest level, symbolizing Astana as a hub of innovation and elite competition [2].
