Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, has been selected to host the 2026 edition of the Games of the Future, an innovative international phygital sports tournament blending traditional athletic competition with digital gaming.
The announcement was made by Alibek Khasenov, head of the Directorate for the Organization and Conduct of the Games of the Future in Kazakhstan, during the World Phygital Summit 2025 held in Dubai. The event is expected to draw participants from over 100 countries and a large global audience of fans and digital sports enthusiasts.
“We are confident the tournament will be held at the highest level, given Kazakhstan’s extensive experience in organizing major international events,” said Khasenov, expressing optimism about Astana’s preparedness to deliver a world-class event.
Phygital Sports: A New Frontier
The Games of the Future showcase phygital sports, a growing format that merges physical and digital competition — such as combining real-world running or cycling with virtual reality or gaming challenges. This hybrid model is gaining momentum, particularly among younger demographics and esports fans.
The inaugural Games of the Future were held in 2024 in Kazan, Russia, and featured around 2,000 athletes competing across 21 disciplines that fused real-world athleticism with popular video games. The event also attracted global attention with a $10 million prize fund. Kazakhstan fielded competitors in 13 disciplines, demonstrating the country’s early commitment to this emerging sports genre.
A Global Stage
Astana’s selection as host underscores Kazakhstan’s ambition to position itself at the forefront of the evolving global sports landscape. The city has already proven itself capable of organizing major events, and the tournament is likely to boost tourism and digital industry visibility.
The World Phygital Community (WPC), which oversees the tournament’s structure and qualification process, includes members from nearly 100 countries. Local qualifying tournaments in phygital sports disciplines are already underway, with winners earning spots at the 2026 finals in Astana.
Background and Vision
Kazakhstan’s bid to host the event was championed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who attended the 2024 Games and proposed bringing the tournament to Astana. The 2026 edition is anticipated to expand on the success of its predecessor with new disciplines, enhanced fan interactivity, and greater integration of technology in sports entertainment.
With preparations underway, Astana is poised to become a global capital for phygital sports this summer, blending innovation, competition, and culture in what organizers describe as the next evolution of the international sports arena.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that his country and European partners will soon be ready to present the United States with refined d...
Italy is awaiting a ruling from UNESCO that could officially place its cuisine on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list, a recognition that would high...
The United States Senate is set to vote on Thursday on a Republican-backed plan aimed at addressing expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, Sena...
Sudan’s Kordofan region is witnessing a rapid escalation of violence that echoes the devastation seen earlier this year in El Fasher, raising alarm ...
Iran and Saudi Arabia reiterated their commitment to enhance ties following a joint meeting with China in Tehran on Tuesday to follow up on implementa...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that his country and European partners will soon be ready to present the United States with refined documents outlining a potential peace plan.
Around 20 people have died after a major fire tore through a seven-storey office building in Indonesia capital Jakarta on Tuesday.
Ukraine "deeply appreciates" the humanitarian support of Pope Leo XIV. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a meeting between the two at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, on Tuesday, 9 December.
Sudan’s Kordofan region is witnessing a rapid escalation of violence that echoes the devastation seen earlier this year in El Fasher, raising alarm among rights experts and humanitarian agencies who warn that civilians are again bearing the brunt of the conflict.
Authorities in Japan lifted all tsunami warnings on Tuesday following a strong 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck off the northeastern coast late on Monday, injuring at least 30 people and forcing around 90,000 residents to evacuate their homes.
Pressure is mounting between Venezuela and the United States as both nations emphasise military preparedness and strategic positioning.
Paramount Skydance (PSKY.O) has launched a $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O). The escalation follows a high-stakes battle that had appeared to end last week when Netflix secured a $72 billion deal for the studio giant’s assets.
Tehran has protested to Washington because of the travel ban on its football team delegation as well as Iranian fans who would like to travel to the United States for the upcoming World Cup matches in 2026.
Russia has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s new National Security Strategy, calling it largely consistent with Moscow’s own vision, as Washington pushes forward with efforts to broker an end to the war in Ukraine.
Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, outlined the country’s energy and gas sector developments at the 15th Türkiye Energy Summit in Istanbul.
A second aid ship carrying 10,080 tents provided by Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has departed from Mersin International Port to help address the shelter needs in Sudan, where a humanitarian crisis is ongoing.
Iran and Saudi Arabia reiterated their commitment to enhance ties following a joint meeting with China in Tehran on Tuesday to follow up on implementation of the 2023 Beijing Agreement which resulted in resumption of their diplomatic relations after eight years.
Kazakhstan has begun redirecting part of its crude exports, sending oil from the Kashagan field to China for the first time.
Azerbaijan and Slovakia are set to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation as President Ilham Aliyev meets Richard Raši, Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic on Tuesday, 9 December.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment