Setting the stage for the start of the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 (GOTF 2025) powered by ADNOC on 18 December, today has seen the official Opening Ceremony for this next-gen phygital sports event.
Celebrating the growth of phygital sports globally and the landmark moment of Abu Dhabi as the host of GOTF 2025, the lavish ceremony welcomed dignitaries from across the world, igniting a shared sense of momentum and excitement for a new era of sport and innovation.
Following a welcome speech from H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President on Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs (ATRC), the Opening Ceremony delivered a stunning show that introduced all eleven phygital disciplines featured at this year’s Games, combining immersive visuals, compelling athlete moments and technology-led storytelling. Built around the creative identity “Next Gen Human. Play the Future,” the ceremony set the tone for the next six days of elite phygital competition that merges physical performance with digital mastery.
The opening ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Lieutenant General His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.
Commenting on the Opening Ceremony, Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International, said: “This moment is the culmination of many months of planning – not just for us and our delivery and event partners, ASPIRE and Ethara, but for the athletes, coaches, clubs and everyone within the phygital sport ecosystem. It is a joy to see it to come to life and the excitement in the room. The next six days of competition will show the world that this is the future of sport.”
With the Opening Ceremony, the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 now moves into competition mode, with clubs and athletes from around the world competing across eleven phygital disciplines from 18–23 December, with the MOBA PC.Dota 2 competition already underway.
