The Games of the Future (GOTF) 2026 will take centre stage in Astana, Kazakhstan, bringing together approximately 900 athletes. For the World Phygital Community (WPC), GOTF 2026 sets the stage for the upcoming ranked qualification season for GOTF 2026.
With a multi-million dollar prize pool up for grabs, the discipline lineup at the Games of the Future 2026 will include four core disciplines—Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, Phygital Dancing, and Phygital Shooter—which are played across the WPC tournament ecosystem. These will be joined by additional disciplines currently outside the WPC ranked tournament circuit, further expanding the reach of phygital competition.
From 1 August 2025 to 15 March 2026, WPC members will host Phygital Origins and Phygital Rivals tournaments. These events will determine the rankings of athletes and clubs in each of the core disciplines, serving as the first stage of qualification for next year’s GOTF in Astana.
“The phygital format creates exciting new opportunities to engage talented youth in sports, aligning with the evolving expectations of the modern sports community. These innovative competition formats are shaping a dynamic and relevant agenda at the intersection of sports and technology”, emphasized Serik Zharasbayev, Vice Minister of Tourism of Kazakhstan.
Dan Merkley, Chairperson and Managing Director of the World Phygital Community, said: “The announcement of prize funds and disciplines has generated fresh anticipation among WPC members and participating clubs, each aiming for a place at the Games of the Future in Astana. With Phygital Origins and Phygital Rivals tournaments on the horizon, we look forward to welcoming fresh talent, active clubs, and growing domestic circuits across our global ecosystem.”
With the deadline to register tournaments fast approaching and qualification season set to begin in August, clubs across the WPC member network are beginning to prepare for the upcoming season to compete for a place at GOTF 2026. The coming months will spotlight the talent and their competitive spirit that will driving phygital sport forward next year. As the journey to Astana begins, the global phygital community comes together once again to shape the future of this rapidly evolving sport.
