The Games of the Future 2025 event in Abu Dhabi, powered by ADNOC, has concluded after six days of competition that marked a milestone in the fusion of physical sport, video games, and technology. The tournament, held from December 18 to 23 at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, brought together over 850 participants from more than 60 countries.
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What are phygital sports?
The term “phygital” combines the words “physical” and “digital.” These disciplines require competitors to demonstrate both real athletic skills and proficiency in video games or technology. For example, in Phygital Football, players perform physical movements that are simultaneously translated into actions within a digital game.
Games of the Future 2025, a competition for all ages
Athletes, ranging in age from 13 to 72, competed in 11 disciplines that included phygital sports, tech sports, and esports. This wide diversity demonstrated the inclusive and intergenerational nature of the event, which successfully attracted both young and veteran competitors.
Thousands of fans filled the arenas, while hundreds of millions followed the broadcasts through digital platforms, social media, and streaming services worldwide.
The most outstanding disciplines of Games of the Future 2025
The tournament featured three main competition categories:
- Traditional esports: Included popular titles such as Dota 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Fortnite, where players competed exclusively in the digital world.
- Phygital sports: These formats merged physical action with digital components. Highlights included Phygital Football (sponsored by ADNOC), Phygital Basketball 3on3 FreeStyle (presented by M42), Phygital Shooter CS 2, Phygital Dancing Solo, and Phygital Fighting FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves.
- Tech sports: The Battle of Robots mobilized 2.48 tons of robots to the United Arab Emirates. Phygital Drone Racing combined precision piloting with athletic skills. Additionally, the event set a regional precedent by featuring the VR-Game HADO virtual reality competition in the Middle East for the first time.
A new sports format
The packed arenas and immersive experiences confirmed the tournament’s ability to create a dynamic, accessible, and engaging format for a new generation of spectators.
According to Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International, the event’s success reflects what can be achieved when innovation, ambition, and collaboration converge.
“The past six days offered a glimpse into the future of sport, where physical performance, technology, and digital culture unite to inspire a new generation of fans and athletes,” Hatt stated.
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The executive also highlighted the crucial support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, ASPIRE, and Ethara, whose commitment to excellence continues to strengthen the global sports profile and innovation leadership of the Emirati capital.
Global broadcast in 13 languages
The event reached global audiences through its live broadcast via a dedicated OTT platform. The coverage was supported by 27 broadcast and streaming partners in over 13 languages, ensuring unprecedented accessibility and positioning the tournament as a benchmark in multiplatform digital sports broadcasting.
The tournament moves to Kazakhstan in 2026
With the conclusion of Games of the Future 2025 in Abu Dhabi, attention now shifts to Astana, Kazakhstan, which will host the 2026 edition next summer. The Kazakh city will also host Phygital Rivals tournaments in June, with local and international participation.
Phygital International confirmed that the bidding process for future host cities is open. Interested cities can apply to host the tournament in 2028, 2029, or 2030, as the event continues its global expansion.
“The passing of the Phygital Flame to Astana represents an exciting next stage for the phygital movement,” Hatt added, assuring that the 2026 edition will build upon the foundations laid in Abu Dhabi.
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