Phygital International has confirmed UFL as the official game title for one of its most popular disciplines – Phygital Football – at the Games of the Future 2026 in Astana.
Taking place from 4–9 August 2026 at the Athletics Sports Complex “Qazaqstan”, the competition will bring together leading phygital football teams from around the world to compete for a US$625,000 prize pool.
Built around competitive integrity, responsiveness and player control, the free-to-play football simulator has rapidly built a global community, making it a natural fit for the fast-paced demands of phygital competition.
In Phygital Football, teams first compete on the virtual pitch in UFL before transitioning directly into a live 5v5 football match, with scores from both stages combined to determine the overall winner. The format creates a direct link between digital decision-making and physical performance, requiring athletes to demonstrate tactical consistency across both environments.
At Games of the Future 2025, Phygital Football was the most followed phygital discipline, generating 87.6 million cumulative views across streaming platforms throughout the competition.
William Al-Badeesh, Publisher Relations & IP Licensing Lead at Phygital International, said: “When you’re building a phygital competition, the game title isn’t just a licensing decision, it’s a sporting one. UFL’s emphasis on player control and true competitive balance means the digital stage genuinely reflects ability, not game mechanics. That’s what makes it the right title for Phygital Football, and why we’re bringing it to Astana.”
UFL joins a strong line up of game titles including 3on3 Freestyle, Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2, providing a solid representation of major esports titles in the digital stages.
Several teams have already secured their place in Astana, including CD Holcattes from Guatemala, Peñarol from Uruguay and Orlando Pirates from South Africa, alongside reigning champions Mexico Quetzales Armadillos.
Remaining teams will be decided at Phygital Contenders Astana 2026, taking place from 10–14 June, where clubs from Brazil, Cyprus, Peru and other international markets will compete for final entry to the competition.
Further updates on teams, gaming titles, schedules and broadcast details will be shared via official Games of the Future website and social media channels @gamesofthefutureofficial. Fans can also revisit highlights from previous editions on Phygital+, Phygital International’s dedicated streaming platform.
Media interested in attending the Games of the Future 2026 can now register for accreditation here.
