Astana to host Games of the Future 2026

Article posted by Coliseum, July 30^th, 2025

Image: Phygital International

The capital city of Kazakhstan – Astana – has been officially confirmed as the Host City for next summer’s Games of the Future 2026.

World Phygital Community (WPC) said Astana is set to become the epicenter of the global phygital movement, bringing together phygital clubs, athletes and fans.

Phygital sports are a hybrid combining two formats of competition, digital and physical, with the main objective of scoring the highest number of points in the two formats. Phygital sport includes both individual and team competitions.

Clubs and athletes from 100 countries are expected to join this global celebration of sports, esports and technology in Astana. They will compete for a share of a $10 million prize fund.

The tournament is expected to welcome around 1,500 athletes, with events in 13 phygital disciplines hosted across the city from 18 July to 1 August 2026.

In each discipline, athletes first compete in a digital version of the sport to later switch to its physical counterpart; final results are determined by the combined performance across both stages.

Renowned as the ultimate fusion of physical athleticism and digital gaming, the Games of the Future 2026 will transform Astana into a hub of elite competition and cutting-edge innovation.

The 2026 edition will feature disciplines, including fan-favorites like Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, Phygital Dancing, and Phygital Shooter, while also showcasing the phygital versions for Hockey, Fighting (MMA and Boxing) and more.

The $10 million prize fund is set to raise the stakes at GOTF 2026, drawing global attention and attracting top-tier talent.

With around 1,500 participants expected to compete across multiple venues in Astana, the tournament marks a major milestone for the growing phygital movement.

To further amplify its impact and highlight Kazakhstan’s leadership in sport-tech and digital innovation, the city will host the Games of the Future City, a celebration of innovation featuring fan zones, interactive exhibitions, and community-driven tech activations.

The World Phygital Community (WPC) is a non-profit, international organization that aims to promote phygital sport worldwide by uniting physical and digital members globally.

It is responsible for providing guardianship of the rules and regulations of phygital sport and hosting the qualifying rankings tournament for the Games of the Future.

Dan Merkley, chair and managing director of the World Phygital Community, said: “The Games of the Future 2026 in Astana represents a significant step forward for the phygital movement in Central Asia.

“Phygital athletes and clubs from around the world will soon begin their journey through the Phygital Origins and Phygital Rivals stages of tournament play, and we anticipate a truly global field in 2026.”

Alibek Khasenov, head of the official delivery authority for GOTF 2026 in Kazakhstan added: “We expect to welcome participants from more than 100 countries and anticipate a large influx of fans from around the world.

“With our proven track record in hosting major events and our commitment to innovation, Kazakhstan is ready to deliver a world-class tournament.”

Kazakhstan was selected as the host for 2026 by the Phygital International Expert Committee following a competitive international bidding process in late 2024.

From its futuristic skyline to its robust hosting experience, Astana is uniquely positioned to offer phygital athletes and fans an unforgettable environment.

GOTF 2026 will feature not just competition, but immersive fan zones, tech showcases, and cultural programming for an unmissable experience.

The qualification process for GOTF 2026 will commence with the Phygital Origins and Phygital Rivals tournaments, running from August 1 to December 15, 2025.

These events will determine the top clubs and athletes eligible to compete in Astana. Applications for WPC members to host ranking tournaments are now open until July 31^st via the WPC+ platform.

While the Games of the Future 2026 in Astana are still a year away, anticipation continues to build as Abu Dhabi prepares to host the 2025 edition from December 18 to 23.

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