GAMES OF THE FUTURE Abu Dhabi 2025 has drawn to a close after six days of high-energy competition that pushed the boundaries of sport, technology and entertainment, marking a significant milestone for the expanding phygital movement.
Held from 18 to 23 December at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, the event featured more than 850 participants from over 60 countries, competing across 11 disciplines that spanned phygital sports, tech sports and esports.
Champions were crowned in front of packed arenas and thousands of fans, while hundreds of millions more followed the action through global broadcasts, live streams and social media platforms. According to a media release, competitors aged between 13 and 72 highlighted the inclusive, cross-generational appeal that defines the Games of the Future.
The tournament delivered a series of standout moments, blending elite athleticism with strategic gameplay and technology. Fan favourites included large-scale tech showcases such as Battle of Robots, which saw 2.48 tonnes of robots transported to the UAE for competition. Globally popular esports titles were also on display, including MOBA PC Dota 2, Mobile MLBB and battle royale Fortnite tournaments. These ran alongside crowd-pleasing phygital formats such as Phygital Football powered by ADNOC, Phygital Basketball 3on3 FreeStyle presented by M42, Phygital Shooter CS2, Phygital Dancing Just Dance, and Phygital Fighting FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves.
Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 reached audiences worldwide, with live coverage streamed via the newly launched dedicated Games of the Future OTT platform. The event was supported by 27 global broadcast and streaming partners, delivering coverage in more than 13 languages.
With the Abu Dhabi edition now complete, focus shifts to Astana, Kazakhstan, which will host the Games of the Future 2026 next summer. In the build-up, Astana will also stage Phygital Contenders tournaments in June, featuring multiple disciplines and bringing together local and international participants. Meanwhile, Phygital International has confirmed that the bidding process for future host cities is now open, inviting applications to stage the Games of the Future in 2028, 2029 or 2030, as the event continues its global expansion.
Phygital International CEO Nis Hatt said, “The success of the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 is a testament to what can be achieved when innovation, ambition, and collaboration come together. The success of the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 is a testament to what can be achieved when innovation, ambition, and collaboration come together. This milestone would not have been possible without the outstanding support and shared vision of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, ASPIRE and Ethara, whose commitment to excellence continues to elevate Abu Dhabi’s global sporting profile and leadership in innovation. The past six days have provided a glimpse into the future of sport, where physical performance, technology, and digital culture come together to inspire a new generation of fans and athletes. The passing of the Phygital Flame to Astana represents the next exciting chapter for the phygital movement and the Games of the Future. The Games of the Future 2026 will build on the incredible foundation laid here in Abu Dhabi and continue to push the boundaries of what phygital sport can achieve on a global stage.”
