Phygital International has confirmed the full roster of 15 sponsors for the Games of the Future 2026, headlined by Samruk-Kazyna, Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund. The official branding for the event will be "Games of the Future 2026, Powered by Samruk Kazyna," highlighting the significant state-level investment backing the upcoming phygital tournament.
Quick Facts
- Dates: July 29 – August 9, 2026
- Location: Astana, Kazakhstan
- Total Prize Pool: $4.75 million
- Athletes: 800+ from over 50 countries
- Organizers: Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Phygital International, and the World Phygital Community
Tournament Disciplines and Prize Stakes
The 2026 program features eight disciplines, blending digital competition with physical athletic showdowns. The prize distribution for the major titles is as follows:
| Game/Discipline | Prize Pool |
|---|---|
| Dota 2 | $1,000,000 |
| PUBG: Battlegrounds | $1,000,000 |
| Phygital Football (UFL) | $625,000 |
| Phygital Fighting (FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves) | $500,000 |
| Phygital Basketball (3on3 FreeStyle) | $400,000 |
| Phygital Shooter (Counter-Strike 2) | $150,000 |
The Dota 2 competition begins with a modified GSL group stage involving 16 teams, moving to a single-elimination playoff on August 2 that concludes on August 5 at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace. The PUBG: Battlegrounds bracket includes high-profile organizations such as Team Falcons, Team Vitality, T1, Virtus.pro, Geekay Esports, and Twisted Minds.
Sponsor Structure
The event is supported by a three-tiered sponsor lineup. Samruk-Kazyna serves as the title sponsor. The general sponsor tier includes Halyk Charitable Fund, Bank CenterCredit, Alatau City Bank, Kazzinc, Solidcore Resources, Freedom Holding, and Yandex Go. Official sponsors include Beeline Kazakhstan, Lancaster Group, BI Group, Air Astana, and Kazakhtelecom.
"This year's Games will showcase the incredible breadth of talent across the phygital movement, bringing together iconic sporting clubs, world champions and some of the biggest names in esports on one global stage," said John Hewitt, International Marketing & Communications Director at Phygital International.
Understanding the Phygital Format
The phygital format requires athletes to compete in both a digital version of a sport and a real-world physical counterpart. The final winner is determined by the combined score from both stages. This approach is intended to test a mix of mental skills in gaming and physical prowess in traditional athletics. In addition to the major titles, the event will host other disciplines, including Phygital Dancing based on Just Dance.