Abu Dhabi to host Phygital Football showpiece ahead of global finals

The high-stakes event will feature 24 elite teams from around the globe, including defending champions Team Joga (USA) and LPT Venezuela, all battling for a limited number of slots at the highly anticipated Games of the Future 2025, set to run from December 18 to 23 in the UAE capital.

This tournament marks the final qualification round of a year-long international circuit that included the Phygital Origins and Phygital Rivals events. It serves as the ultimate test before the grand finale of the phygital calendar.

“Phygital Contenders: Abu Dhabi - Football represents the culmination of a season-long qualification process and will set the stage for what promises to be the most competitive Games of the Future to date,” said Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International.

Phygital sport is a rapidly growing discipline that merges physical and digital competition, creating a unique hybrid sporting experience. The Abu Dhabi event is expected to further push the boundaries of this innovative format.

“Bringing Phygital Contenders to Abu Dhabi is both a tremendous opportunity and a meaningful responsibility,” noted Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, the Local Delivery Authority for the Games of the Future. “We’re proud to host the world’s most elite clubs and serve as the stage where the future of global competition is being defined.”

The tournament is being organised by ASPIRE, in partnership with Ethara and Phygital International, which holds the global rights to the Games of the Future.

The Games of the Future is an annual global spectacle celebrating the fusion of physical and digital sports. Following this year’s edition in Abu Dhabi, the 2026 event is already scheduled for Astana, Kazakhstan.

With Abu Dhabi embracing its role as a hub for cutting-edge sport and technology, the July qualifiers are expected to not only thrill audiences but also redefine global competition in the digital age.