“Phygital sport is the next stage of athletic competition”

What does hosting the Games of the Future 2025 mean for Abu Dhabi?

Hosting this incredible tournament positions Abu Dhabi at the forefront of a new genre in sport – the fusion of physical and virtual sports. The inaugural edition in 2024 showed the world’s appetite for phygital competition. It attracted over 300,000 visitors and reached a staggering 3.2 billion verified views. This is a chance for Abu Dhabi to build on that success with even greater ambition, scale and creativity. For Abu Dhabi in particular, the Games of the Future (GOTF) represents a strategic step in our long-term sporting mission: to be a global hub for innovation-driven sport, technology, and youth engagement. The event aligns with the emirate’s broader investment in future-focused sports infrastructure and talent development.

Why did Abu Dhabi bid to host GOTF 2025?

We recognised that phygital sport is more than a trend – it’s the next stage of athletic competition. Abu Dhabi has the vision and the capacity to bring it to life at scale, and hosting these games is a clear signal of our commitment to innovation and to building a lasting sporting legacy.

Where will the tournament be staged?

The Games will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), one of the most advanced event spaces in the world. With more than 150,000m² of adaptable facilities, ADNEC is a venue that can transform into a truly global stage – with phygital arenas, esports theatres and interactive fan zones all under one roof.

What can visitors expect from the Abu Dhabi edition?

Audiences will see a tournament like no other. Phygital Basketball, Phygital Football, Drone Racing and Phygital Fighting etc will sit alongside some of the world’s biggest esports titles, all staged in immersive, purpose-built arenas. Every phygital sporting contest begins on a screen and culminates on a stage, where real-world skill and digital mastery collide in a week of electrifying action. The whole tournament is designed to demonstrate how phygital formats can attract new audiences, modernise fan engagement and create commercially scalable models for international sporting federations.

How are local communities being engaged?

Earlier this year, the city hosted the Phygital Contenders: Abu Dhabi – Football event at ADNEC, giving local audiences a first chance to experience the format up close while international athletes competed for a place in December’s GOTF. In the months ahead, we’re working with schools, universities and clubs to broaden access to phygital disciplines, making sure the event feels as connected to people here as it does to the global stage. Importantly, the UAE will also participate with local clubs across several disciplines. These clubs have been developed under the guidance of the Ministry of Sport and supported by the UAE Esports Federation and other sporting bodies, ensuring that the Games are truly lived by its people.

How will Emirati culture be showcased?

Culture and connection are at the heart of this spectacular event. From the moment visitors arrive, they will feel the generosity and warmth that defines Abu Dhabi, expressed through Arabic-led storytelling, local creators, and immersive heritage installations. It’s about welcoming the world while proudly sharing who we are.

Why do you believe phygital sport is a potential gamechanger?

Phygital is the bridge between the screen and the stadium. It speaks directly to digital natives who want competition that reflects how they already live and play. By merging elite physical performance with digital skills, phygital formats offer governments and sporting authorities a pathway to reach younger demographics, unlock new broadcast models and diversify participation.

How is the UAE accelerating this movement?

The UAE very recently became the 100th member of the World Phygital Community. By hosting the Games of the Future 2025 Abu Dhabi powered by ADNOC, we are looking to take the movement to a whole new level.

What makes Abu Dhabi special as a host city?

We’ve built a reputation as one of the world’s most trusted hosts, successfully staging events such as the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, NBA games, and WTA Finals. Time and again we’ve shown we can deliver events that capture international attention.

What legacy do you hope GOTF 2025 will leave for the emirate?

Legacy for us is about more than memories. We want Abu Dhabi to be recognised as the home of phygital sport – a place where new disciplines are born and innovation flourishes. Long after the final whistle, these games will leave behind a sporting culture that continues to grow, supported by the skills and opportunities created along the way.