The Montenegro Future Festival made its return to Bar from 24–26 April, drawing participants from over 60 countries across esports, gaming, technology, and pop culture. Now firmly established as one of the most significant events of its kind in the region, this year’s edition was the biggest to date, with Dan Merkley, Chairperson and Managing Director of the WPC, returning for the second consecutive year.
As part of the official programme, Dan joined the panel discussion, “Phygital Sports: Where Reality Meets the Game”, on Sunday 26 April. The session brought together some of the most prominent voices in the global esports industry to discuss the future of the sport, the region’s rising profile, and the collaborative frameworks needed to take the industry forward.
Panel participants included:
- Marcus Meyer: Managing Director of Force of Disruption, the WPC member in Germany
- Dennis de Kanter: Principal Advisor at Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC)
- Ahmet Yilmaz: Business Development and International Relations Manager at Misa Games
- Selçuk Akpinar: Full Professor at Nişantaşı University (Moderator)
The session explored how phygital sport continues to evolve and grow its place within the global sports ecosystem, as well as WPC’s ongoing work to strengthen the category through governance and international collaboration. Dan also highlighted what the World Phygital Community aspires to achieve in building a more structured and connected ecosystem.
On Saturday 25 April, Dan Merkley also took part in a press conference alongside Vlad Marinescu, President of the International Esports Federation, and Filip Šoć, Director of the Montenegro Future Festival. The press conference, attended by key regional media, focused on the growth of esports and phygital sport, the region’s role in shaping the industry, and the importance of building structured, well-supported ecosystems to support long-term development. The discussion also highlighted the role of education, innovation, and collaboration in unlocking future opportunities across the sector.
At the Festival, Dan focused on deepening engagement with regional members and building momentum toward the Games of the Future 2026. Across the event, WPC members connected with federations, organizers, industry leaders and media.
Dan Merkley, Chairperson and Managing Director of the World Phygital Community, said: “Coming back to Bar for a second time, it’s clear that the Montenegro Future Festival has grown into something truly significant. The scale, the conversations, the people in the room, it was bigger and better in every sense. Filip Šoć and his team have done an excellent job in bringing this together and creating a platform that continues to evolve each year. For WPC, events like this are where relationships are built and where the phygital movement gains real traction. The conversations here are already translating into stronger alignment and new opportunities with members.”
The Montenegro Future Festival continues to play an important role in bringing together the global esports and phygital community. For the World Phygital Community, its presence at MFF reflects the value of these platforms in strengthening relationships, driving collaboration, and advancing the growth of phygital sport through its global network of members and beyond.
