Astana has been officially confirmed as the Host City for the Games of the Future 2026, set to take place in summer next year.
Announced in front of WPC members and phygital supporters during the World Phygital Summit 2025 in Dubai, Astana is set to become the epicenter of the global phygital movement, bringing together phygital clubs, athletes and fans, with clubs and athletes from 100 countries anticipated to join this global celebration of sports, esports and technology.
Dan Merkley, Chairperson and Managing Director of the World Phygital Community, said: “The Games of the Future 2026 in Astana represents a significant step forward for the phygital movement in Central Asia. Phygital athletes and clubs from around the world will soon begin their journey through the Phygital Origins and Phygital Rivals stages of tournament play, and we, and we anticipate a truly global field in 2026.”
Speaking at the World Phygital Summmit 2025, Alibek Khasenov, Head of the official delivery authority for GOTF 2026 in Kazakhstan commented: “We expect to welcome participants from more than 100 countries and anticipate a large influx of fans from around the world. With our proven track record in hosting major events and our commitment to innovation, Kazakhstan is ready to deliver a world-class tournament.”
From its futuristic skyline to its robust hosting experience, Astana is uniquely positioned to offer phygital athletes and fans an unforgettable environment. GOTF 2026 will feature not just competition, but immersive fan zones, tech showcases, and cultural programming for an unmissable experience.
The qualification process for GOTF 2026 will commence with the Phygital Origins and Phygital Rivals tournaments, running from August 1 to December 15, 2025. These events will determine the top clubs and athletes eligible to compete in Astana. Applications for WPC members to host ranking tournaments are now open until July 31st via the WPC+ platform.
Stay tuned for more updates soon!
