Phygital Contenders Astana 2026 kicks off in Kazakhstan

Phygital Contenders Astana 2026 has officially started in Kazakhstan, bringing together more than 200 athletes from over 20 countries.

The event, which runs from June 10 to 14, is the final qualification stage for the Games of the Future 2026, set to take place in Astana from July 29 to August 9.

This competition is part of the fast-growing “phygital” sport format, where athletes compete in both digital games and real-life sports. It mixes esports and physical action, testing skill, speed, and smart decision-making in two worlds.

Teams are competing in three main disciplines namely, Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, and Phygital Dancing. Only the best will earn a spot at the main Games of the Future event later this year.

In football, 16 teams are battling it out, including clubs from Montenegro, Brazil, and host-region combinations like ACF x Allur.

In basketball, well-known names such as Valencia Basket and Boca Juniors’ basketball team are among the ten teams chasing qualification. The dancing category features top performers from Brazil and Spain competing for limited slots.

Organisers say this is the last chance for athletes to qualify, making the competition even more intense. According to officials, the event shows how fast phygital sport is growing around the world, with more countries joining each year.

As the final whistle approaches, only the strongest, fastest, and smartest teams will book their place in one of the world’s newest and most exciting sporting events.