From 29 July to 9 August, Astana hosted the international multi-sport tournament Games of Future 2026.
Over the course of 12 days, the capital brought together more than 800 athletes from 50 countries, transforming Astana into the epicentre of the global phygital sports movement.
Athletes first compete in a digital environment and then transition to a physical sporting arena, the participation of athletes from across the world served as further confirmation of the format’s growing global recognition.
A total of 108 teams competed across the tournament’s eight disciplines. To accommodate the event, the organisers deployed operations across four sports venues in the city.
The tournament was delivered without a single operational disruption.
The tournament broadcasts generated more than 453 million views, a figure that in itself demonstrates the scale of international interest in the event beyond Kazakhstan. Tournament content was distributed through 289 channels worldwide, including major media partners and hundreds of independent streamers.
The broadcasts were available in more than 150 countries and territories. The tournament’s combined potential media reach exceeded 7.68 bln.
Kazakhstan’s teams deliver strong results
Kazakhstan’s athletes competed in all eight disciplines of the tournament. The highlight was the victory of Team KZ in the Phygital Shooter CS2 discipline, secured in front of home supporters.
The tournament as a showcase for the country
Millions of views and worldwide broadcasts generated benefits extending beyond sport, contributing to Kazakhstan’s broader international image. Audiences in different countries were given an opportunity to see Astana, the capital’s modern sports venues, and the level of infrastructure that Kazakhstan had developed specifically for the event.
The successful delivery of a tournament of this scale in the phygital format, which combines digital and physical sporting environments, represents a significant achievement for Kazakhstan. By successfully hosting this highly complex, technology-intensive international event to a high standard, Kazakhstan has demonstrated its standing as a progressive, technologically advanced middle power capable not only of hosting major international sporting events, but also of shaping new trends on the global stage.
