Phygital Contenders Astana 2026 gets underway today in Kazakhstan’s capital, marking the final qualification event on the road to Games of the Future 2026 and an important milestone in the continued growth of the global phygital sports ecosystem.
Taking place from 10–14 June, the tournament brings together more than 200 participants representing over 20 phygital community members across Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball and Phygital Dancing, as athletes and clubs compete for the remaining places at Games of the Future 2026.
Ahead of the opening competitions, representatives from Phygital International, local organizers and key stakeholders gathered at an official press conference, including Amanbay Nurmukhanbetov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Sports and Physical Culture under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Yerzhan Shakeev, Head of the Sports Events Department of JSC Kazsportinvest, highlighting the city’s role in hosting major international sporting events and supporting the development of phygital sport.
With competition now underway and qualification places at stake, contenders will battle for the opportunity to secure their place among the world’s leading phygital athletes and clubs later this year.
“Phygital Contenders Astana 2026 represents the culmination of a season-long journey for clubs and athletes from around the world, and an important milestone in the continued development of phygital sport globally. The level of competition required to reach this stage reflects both the depth of talent emerging across the ecosystem and the growing international demand to compete at the highest level.” added John Hewitt, International Marketing & Communications Director at Phygital International
The event also reinforces Astana’s position as a host city capable of delivering major international sporting competitions, welcoming athletes, officials and fans from across the global phygital community.
Amanbay Nurmukhanbetov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Sports and Physical Culture under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted at the press conference: “Hosting Phygital Contenders Astana 2026 and the subsequent Games of the Future 2026 is not only about the country’s sporting image, but also about systematic work to develop hybrid formats among the youth. The state supports the phygital direction, as it sees it as a real tool for involving new generations in active sports.”
Competition will take place across three disciplines at venues throughout the city.
Phygital Football, one of the most popular disciplines within the phygital ecosystem, will see 16 teams compete across four groups at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Combat Sports Palace from 10–14 June.
At Alau Ice Palace, 10 teams will contest the Phygital Basketball tournament from 10–13 June, including several internationally recognised clubs making their debut on the global phygital stage.
Meanwhile, Phygital Dancing will take centre stage on 10–11 June at Comfort Hotel Astana, where 11 athletes will showcase their talent, creativity, and performance skills in pursuit of qualification.
Taking the action to a global audience
As competition gets underway, fans around the world will be able to follow the action through Phygital+, the official digital broadcasting platform of phygital sport.
Live coverage will begin with Phygital Basketball on 12 June, followed by Phygital Football on 13 June, while highlights, results, and key moments from across all disciplines will be shared throughout the week.
From the first qualification matches to the final places secured for Games of the Future 2026, Phygital+ will provide fans with access to every key moment from Astana.
Alongside the live broadcasts on Phygital+, fans can follow @gamesofthefutureofficial across social media for daily updates, athlete stories, behind-the-scenes content, and highlights from Phygital Contenders Astana 2026.
