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“Astana is a city that embodies the spirit of the future,” said Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International.
The countdown to the world's biggest phygital sports spectacle has officially begun.
The capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, has been confirmed as the host city for the 2026 edition of the Games of the Future (GOTF), scheduled to run from July 18 to August 1, 2026.
The groundbreaking event, blending physical sports with digital gaming, is expected to attract 1,500 athletes and offer an eye-watering $10 million prize pool.
The confirmation was made during an official meeting with Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, followed by a press conference featuring top stakeholders: Serik Zharasbayev, Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports; Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International; and Alibek Khassenov, President of Kazsportinvest JSC.
Phygital sports, a hybrid of physical athleticism and competitive digital gaming is rapidly transforming global competition. The Games of the Future 2026 will showcase 13 dynamic disciplines, including crowd favourites like Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, Phygital Dancing, and Phygital Shooter, alongside new-age renditions of Hockey, MMA, and Boxing.
In each discipline, athletes will first test their mettle in digital formats before switching to their real-world counterparts. The overall performance is determined by a combined score, creating an adrenaline-pumping, futuristic sporting experience unlike any other.
“Astana is a city that embodies the spirit of the future,” said Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International.
“With its world-class infrastructure and deep investment in youth and technology, it is the ideal stage to shape the global future of phygital sport.”
To heighten fan engagement, the city will also host the Games of the Future City, a vibrant festival zone featuring fan activations, innovation exhibitions, and tech-infused community experiences.
Kazakhstan’s winning bid was selected through a competitive international bidding process. Phygital International entrusted Kazsportinvest JSC, a seasoned organizer behind major global events like the 2011 Asian Winter Games and 2017 Winter Universiade, to deliver the 2026 event.
“This tournament is more than just a competition; it’s a symbol of what the future of sports looks like,” stated Alibek Khassenov, President of Kazsportinvest JSC.
“We are proud to lead Kazakhstan into this new era of sport-tech fusion.”
Before the world turns its gaze to Kazakhstan, Abu Dhabi is gearing up to host the 2025 edition of the Games of the Future from December 18 to 23.
Following the resounding success of the inaugural event in 2024, the UAE capital promises another thrilling chapter in the rise of phygital sport.
©Citizen Digital, Kenya 
