The Games of the Future kick off in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, bringing a futuristic yet familiar vision of sport.
Being held at Adnec from December 18 to 23, the global tournament blends physical competition with digital gaming, encouraging younger generations to move between the pitch and the screen.
Known as phygital sport, the format challenges conventional ideas of athleticism. Success depends not only on physical strength, speed and teamwork, but also on strategic thinking and technical skill in competitive gaming environments.
Stephane Timpano, chief executive at Aspire and organiser of the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025, says the concept mirrors a cultural shift.
“This is the second edition of the Games of the Future after a successful one in Kazan in 2024,” he tells The National. “It is a nascent concept, but we see the value of it going forward.”
The value, Timpano explains, lies in bridging two worlds that younger generations already inhabit with ease. “The beauty of this concept is mixing the old way of doing sports physically on the pitch with the new skills that a lot of the young generation has developed around gaming,” he says.
Teams from all around the world arrive in Abu Dhabi to compete in different disciplines. Photo: Phygital International
Around 850 competitors will take part in this year’s event, representing clubs rather than countries and arriving from more than 60 nations.
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