PHYGITAL INTERNATIONAL confirms Abu Dhabi as the venue for “Games of the Future 2025“

UAE capital welcomes participants and fans to international phygital sports event from December 18th to 23rd, 2025

[datensicherheit.de, 05/30/2025] With the advance of Digital Transformation, i.e. comprehensive digitalisation and connectivity, new worlds of experience and impact are emerging and new terms are needed to describe them: While most people today are certainly already familiar with what is known as “cyberspace“ (cybernetic space), many are probably still unfamiliar with the artificial word “phygital“ – it is to a certain extent a fusion of the terms “physical“ and “digital“ and stands for a symbiosis of material and virtual reality. With the availability of modern digital technology, sporting activities are also evolving – and on May 29th, 2025, PHYGITAL INTERNATIONAL, the global umbrella organisation of the “Games of the Future“ (GOTF), officially announced Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the host city for the “Games of the Future 2025“, which will take place from December 18th to 23rd, 2025.

photo: PHYTIGAL INTERNATIONAL

A variety of important phygital disciplines – including “Phygital Football“

Abu Dhabi as the epicentre of phygital sports in 2025

The “Games of the Future 2025“ are set to transform Abu Dhabi into the “epicentre of phygital sports, offering a dynamic fusion of physical athletics and immersive digital gaming“. The multi-sport event will include a variety of major phygital disciplines, including “Phygital Football“ and “Phygital Shooter“, as well as Tech Sports and eSports.

“In each phygital discipline, athletes first compete in a digital version of their sport and then compete in the same sport in real life.“ The final result is then determined by the combination of performances in both phases – merging the physical and virtual worlds into a seamless competitive experience.

Phygital competitions with experienced management partners

ASPIRE, in charge of global competitions of the “Abu Dhabi Advanced Technology Research Council“ (ATRC), has been appointed as the UAE Delivery Authority. In this role, ASPIRE will lead the delivery of the event’s innovation agenda, ensure alignment between the various stakeholders and coordinate the funding framework with government partners and sponsors. Ethara, as an experienced live event management company in the region, will act as the event delivery partner and will be responsible for the end-to-end execution including venue operations, logistics and fan experiences.

In addition, Ethara will drive the promotion of the event and play a key commercial role – attracting sponsors and partnerships to support the success of the event. The “Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre“ (ADNEC) has been confirmed as the official venue to provide a world-class stage for the full spectrum of sporting competitions and fan experiences.

Phygital sport on the way to becoming a global movement

“We are thrilled that Abu Dhabi will welcome thousands of Phygital athletes, clubs and fans to the ‘Games of the Future 2025‘,’ commented Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International. With its bold vision for sport and technology, the UAE is the “ideal stage for this ground-breaking event“. Since the first Games, Phygital sport has evolved into a global movement – “and this year’s edition promises to be the most exciting yet!“

Stéphane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, emphasises: “ASPIRE is proud to be the ‘UAE Delivery Authority’ helping to shape the ‘Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025‘ – a global platform where sport, technology and imagination come together.“ From AI-powered mobility to immersive digital experiences, Abu Dhabi is where innovation meets impact. “We look forward to welcoming the world to ADNEC in December for an event that will inspire the future of sport and technology.“

“The Games of the Future: Abu Dhabi, 2025“ as next chapter for the Phygital Movement

In addition to the elite competitions, the event will also feature virtual reality areas to engage fans, cultural activities and technology presentations. According to the organisers, over 2,000 athletes from more than 100 countries took part in the first edition of the “Games of the Future“, which then was broadcasted worldwide and attracted over 300,000 spectators and fans.

“The Games of the Future: Abu Dhabi, 2025“ will now mark a strong next chapter for the Phygital Movement and bring the Games to a new audience in the Middle East – where “ambition, experimentation and bold applications of technology thrive“. With Abu Dhabi’s unique blend of innovation and cultural dynamism, the stage is set for a “unique global experience“.

Further information on this topic:

PHYGITAL INTERNATIONAL
About Phygital / What is phygital sport?

PHYGITAL INTERNATIONAL, 05/29/05.2025
Abu Dhabi Confirmed as Host City for Games of the Future 2025

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phygital

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