It’s now just 100 days until the start of the Games of the Future 2026 — and the anticipation across the World Phygital Community is unmistakable.
For WPC members who have spent the 2025/26 season delivering ranked tournaments and building phygital sport in their communities, the finish line is in sight as focus now turns to the qualification process and preparations for competition in Astana.
The field for GOTF 2026 is beginning to take shape. Top-ranked clubs from the 2025/26 season have already locked in their places through direct qualification, with clubs from South Africa, Argentina and Guatemala among those who have secured their spot at the GOTF 2026, alongside the winning clubs and athletes from GOTF 2025.
Final qualification will be determined at Phygital Contenders Astana (10-15 June), where competitions in Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball and Phygital Dancing will decide the final slots and complete the line-up for the grand finals.
GOTF 2026 is set to welcome more than 900 participants from over 50 nationalities, competing for a multimillion-dollar prize pool in front of more than 100,000 expected fans. It will serve as the defining moment of the phygital season — bringing together the world’s leading clubs, athletes and communities on a truly global stage. Taking place across four state-of-the-art venues in the city, the event will showcase the full scale and ambition of phygital sport. Comic Con Astana (5–9 August) will also take place during GOTF 2026, adding to the festival atmosphere that defines the Games of the Future, bringing together global communities across gaming, pop culture and digital entertainment.
Alongside the competition, the next WPC General Meeting will take place in Astana on 29 July 2026. The meeting will bring members together to review the 2025/26 season, align on strategic priorities and define the next phase of development for the community.
Dan Merkley, Chairperson and Managing Director of the World Phygital Community, said: “With 100 days to go, we are seeing strong momentum across our global membership. The 2025/26 season has demonstrated the capability of our members to deliver high-quality competitions and grow phygital sport locally. We now look ahead to Astana as the point where that progress comes together on the global stage.”
With preparations in Astana entering their final phase, and qualification close to completion, GOTF 2026 represents both the culmination of the current season and an important milestone for the continued development of the WPC.
Edgar Sandamela, CEO of Phygital South Africa, said: “This season our main aim was to host four disciplines and to qualify for all four is truly amazing. In the process we have set a new standard for phygital excellence in Africa, which we are proud of. The Games of the Future is a massive stage and we are truly excited to have qualified. But our story would come full circle if we were to win a discipline – that would be incredible, not just for the team, but for the entire phygital movement in Africa. It would show that we are not just participants, we are contenders, capable of making history on the biggest stage.”
Nicolas Crespo, President of the Asociación de Deportes Electrónicos y Videojuegos de Argentina, said: “We are thrilled to be competing at the Games of the Future once again. We gave everything in the WPC ranking tournaments, hosting events that brought our local community together, and now we get to take that momentum all the way to Astana alongside some incredible teams.”
Juan Anguix, CEO of Phygital Games Spain S.L, said: “Securing direct qualification in Phygital Shooter is a proud moment for our club and a reflection of the hard work we have put in throughout the season. We are excited to be heading to Astana and with our athletes competing across the other disciplines at Phygital Contenders, the opportunity ahead of us is enormous. Last year we reached the final – this year we are going all the way.”
To stay up to date with all the latest news on the Games of the Future 2026, as well as Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana, be sure to visit the official website and follow WPC on Instagram @WorldPhygital.
And make sure to follow the final stage of qualification at Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana live on the official Games of the Future OTT platform, where all competitions will be streamed in full.
