WPC members reveal lessons learned during 2024/25 season

In our recent workshop #10, WPC members from across the world discussed the successes as well as the challenges they faced hosting their GOTF Minor and Major tournaments and how they overcame them.

Dan Merkley, WPC’s Chairperson, began the session by announcing that the growth of the phygital ecosystem was already exceeding expectations – with nearly 100 members already in less than a year since the organisation’s inception. Participation in disciplines such as Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, Phygital Dancing, and Phygital Shooter events has surged, solidifying WPC’s role in shaping the future of phygital sports.

Lessons from Qatar

Several WPC members shared their experiences and learnings from their respective GOTF Minor and Major tournaments. Wassim Aldalya, CEO of Qatar Phygital, reflected on his team’s journey into the phygital space. “Phygital was a new venture for us, but we strongly believe in its future. This time, we introduced football, and in the next edition, we hope to expand into other disciplines,” he said.

Partnering with Aspire Zone, a leading sporting venue in Doha, was instrumental in creating a successful event. However, despite meticulous planning, one key challenge stood out—audience engagement. “Attendance could have been stronger,” Wassim admitted. “With only one month of promotion, we learned that at least three months are needed for proper audience engagement.” Looking forward, he also plans to allocate more time for marketing efforts to maximize impact.

Preparation is key

Rodovan Vojinovich of Phygital Montenegro echoed similar sentiments regarding marketing and engagement strategies. While Montenegro’s phygital basketball tournament was highly successful, thanks to strong partnerships with the Basketball Federation of Montenegro and the Alliance of Electronic Sports of Montenegro, preparation time was limited. “We didn’t have months of preparation; we had only about a month or two,” he explained. “But our marketing wasn’t just about social media—we pushed for real conversations. We engaged with TV, online interviews, and live shows to explain phygital disciplines, and that direct outreach made a huge difference in attracting participants.”

Rodovan also highlighted the importance of transparency in officiating, as licensed judges ensured fairness in both physical and digital components of the game. “Transparency and fairness are key,” he emphasized. “Players need to trust the process, especially in high-stakes tournaments where only the winner qualifies for the next stage.”

One standout moment for him was witnessing professional basketball players seamlessly transition into gaming competitions, reinforcing the deep-rooted connection between digital and traditional sports. “I was surprised by the level of professionalism and understanding among players,” he said. “Even in high-pressure moments with close results, there were no major disputes.”

The importance of expertise and having enough staff

Rodolfo Flores, Co-founder and CEO of Digital Sports USA, shared his perspective on organizing Phygital Shooter tournaments. He recognized that finding the right partners was the most crucial factor in ensuring success. “One of the biggest factors in making our tournaments successful was finding the right partners—especially for venues,” he explained. For Phygital Shooter, his team collaborated with Bullseye Laser Tag, a facility with over a decade of experience in tactical laser tag tournaments. “Instead of purchasing expensive equipment, we worked with them to access top-tier tactical laser tag gear, creating an engaging experience for participants.”

Rodolfo also underscored the importance of strong referees in maintaining discipline and credibility in competitions. “While Phygital Shooter didn’t see major conflicts, we learned from our basketball tournaments that experienced referees are essential in handling altercations and maintaining discipline.”

One of the biggest challenges his team faced was staffing shortages—an often-overlooked factor that impacts all aspects of event organization. “We underestimated the number of people needed to run the tournament smoothly,” he admitted. “Staffing shortages impact everything—from setup to scorekeeping to athlete coordination. Next time, we’ll prioritize having enough people in every role.”

Partners and sponsorships are crucial for success

Adriana Melo of Phygital Colombia shared the success of hosting the Digital Dancing Cup, an event that brought together top competitors from Cali, Medellín, Barranquilla, and Bogotá. “Hosting the Digital Dancing Cup was an amazing experience,” she said. “The participants were thrilled—it was their first time competing in an international tournament, and they fully embraced the innovative and inclusive concept of phygital games.”

Strategic partnerships with the local government and the venue, the Movistar Game Club played a significant role in elevating the tournament experience and its appeal to the wider audience. “The venue was another major factor,” Adriana explained. “It truly reflected the essence of phygital gaming—futuristic, high-energy, and immersive.” The partnerships also lead to significant social media traction, with over 21,000 views of Phygital Colombia’s social media channels even before the tournament began.

Despite these successes, securing funding remained a significant challenge. “Most sponsors finalize their budgets in November, but we registered late with WPC, which meant we had limited time to find sponsors,” Adriana revealed. Although government support and personal investments ultimately helped them deliver a successful event, earlier sponsorship outreach will be a priority in the future.

What did we learn from the workshop?

Right across the world, our WPC members delivered phenomenal tournaments, bringing in clubs and participants to experience the joy and excitement of phygital sports. Key to their success was partnerships with experienced venues and organizations as well marketing and influencer engagement to generate awareness and engage potential participants. However, organizers consistently noted that longer preparation timelines are necessary to maximize audience turnout and impact. Fair play and officiating remain essential in maintaining credibility. And as is with all events, adaptability was also key—whether it was overcoming venue constraints, handling unexpected scheduling delays, or working with limited staffing, the ability to pivot and problem-solve was a defining factor in the success of a tournament.

Looking ahead, these lessons will shape the next WPC season. As the community gears up for the next tournament cycle in the run-up to The Games of the Future in Khazakhstan, the collaborative spirit and shared commitment of its members will ensure continued success in bringing the world of physical and digital sports together.