The World Phygital Community has taken a significant step in the evolution of phygital sport by introducing a blockchain-based governance and data framework, marking a key part of its strategy to build a regulatory model designed specifically for phygital competition and participation. Built to modernize how the sport is governed globally, the framework strengthens transparency, streamlines decision-making, and establishes a community-driven system that can evolve alongside the phygital movement.
The blockchain-based framework enables transparent voting, secure decision-making, and verifiable records across WPC governance. Its first application took place at the WPC General Meeting in Abu Dhabi in December, held alongside the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025. Members used the system to vote on proposals related to rankings, qualification pathways for PI tournaments, member communications, and the appointment of an independent Audit Commission, with all outcomes recorded and shared with the community.
Dan Merkley, Chairperson and Managing Director of the World Phygital Community, said: “Introducing a blockchain-based governance model is a significant step forward for our community. By introducing blockchain-based governance at an early stage of the movement’s development, WPC is able to establish regulatory standards before scale creates complexity.”
Looking ahead, the initiative is intended to extend beyond governance into competition integrity. WPC is developing blockchain-based tools to securely record phygital competition results, rankings, and performance data, ensuring outcomes remain permanently verifiable as digital competition continues to play a central role in the sport.
This rollout represents the first step in a longer-term roadmap toward a more decentralized governance model, with the aim of supporting sustainable growth, meaningful participation, and trust at every level of the phygital movement. With 119 member federations across 115 countries, the initiative is designed to ensure WPC’s governance infrastructure can scale consistently as the global community continues to expand.
