10,000 Tourists and More Than 800 Participants: Astana Prepares for the Games of the Future
Astana is in the final stages of preparations for the Games of the Future 2026, an international phygital sports tournament set to take place from July 29 to August 9.
According to the organizers, the tournament will bring together more than 800 athletes from over 50 countries, competing for a total prize pool of US$4.75 million. The program features eight disciplines that combine traditional sports with digital competition.
According to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Games of the Future are expected to attract around 10,000 international visitors to the country. Officials believe the event will provide a boost to the hospitality, transport, and service sectors.
A defining feature of the tournament is its phygital format, which combines physical and digital competition. This year's program includes Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, Phygital Fighting, as well as tournaments in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, PUBG: Battlegrounds, Just Dance, and FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves.
According to the World Phygital Community, the final lineup for the phygital disciplines has been confirmed following the completion of international qualifying events. A total of 40 clubs representing 17 national federations have secured their places in the tournament.
Preparations have already been reviewed by the Kazakh government. According to Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, the competition will be held across four venues in Astana: Barys Arena, the Qazaqstan Athletics Complex, the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace, and the National Tennis Centre "Beeline Arena."
More than 1,000 volunteers have been recruited to support the event, while organizers continue to focus on security, digital infrastructure, and logistics. Kazakhstan will be represented by 11 teams competing across all eight disciplines.
In addition to the sporting events, organizers are preparing the Games of the Future City, an interactive fan zone showcasing new technologies, esports, and digital entertainment. The tournament is expected to attract more than 100,000 spectators, making it one of the largest international events hosted by Kazakhstan in 2026.
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