Phygital – the new sporting phenomenon

Phygital sport is a global movement redefining what it means to be an athlete today.

For decades, physical sport and gaming existed in separate worlds. Phygital fuses them, demanding both athletic ability and digital skill. Each contest begins on a gaming screen and then moves into a real-world arena, with combined scores deciding the winner. The concept is simple – but its impact is transformative.

Phygital International (PI) regulates the sport, manages its commercial partnerships, and organises the annual Games of the Future (GOTF). This is a global showcase where hundreds of international competitors vie to become the ultimate phygital champion in their sports and win a share of a multimillion-dollar prize pool. Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 powered by ADNOC begins on December 18 in Abu Dhabi, followed next year by GOTF 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan. PI also runs the PI Lab, an innovation hub that takes new and existing physical sports, and explores how they be combined with technology and esports to create new sporting experiences.

Four core disciplines currently anchor the phygital movement: Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, Phygital Shooter, and Phygital Dancing. These globally recognisable formats are easy to stage and adapt to local infrastructure. Alongside them, GOTF also features other disciplines such as Phygital Hockey and Phygital Fighting, plus innovation-driven events including drone racing and robot battles.

For governments and sporting bodies, phygital sport presents new opportunities to engage young people, boost sports participation, and advance public health goals. The World Phygital Community (WPC) is an affiliate of PI and is responsible for driving grassroots growth through clubs, leagues and events. More than 100 member organisations are already active worldwide, with a goal of reaching 180 countries by 2030. The WPC also leads educational initiatives, helping schools and universities integrate phygital disciplines into their sport and health programmes.

Phygital sport is not a rival to traditional sport or esports – it is a bridge between them. It inspires physical activity through digital engagement, connects generations, and mirrors the way today’s athletes train, compete, and connect. As participation grows and technology evolves, phygital is emerging as a new sporting category: inclusive, innovative, and built for the connected age.

For policymakers and sporting associations alike, phygital offers a powerful new platform to promote movement, digital literacy and community engagement. It’s where gaming meets physical sport – and the world plays as one.

Click the links to find out more about Phygital International, the WPC and the Games of the Future.