Can you explain to the layperson what phygital sports are, what do they entail in practice?
Phygital sports fuses traditional sport and esports, creating a new era of competition. Athletes compete in two back-to-back stages of play – first digitally, then immediately in the physical version of that sport. In Phygital Football, for example, a match begins with a video game session before the players step straight onto the 5-on-5 football pitch to finish it. The combined score of the two sessions determines the winner. This fast-paced format demands sharp gaming instincts, physical skill, and the ability to switch seamlessly between the two under pressure – all within the same players. Phygital sports are as thrilling for athletes as they are for fans.
The format was designed to resonate with younger participants, many of whom are more connected to gaming than physical activity. By merging the two in a single contest, the Games of the Future promotes both physical skill and digital strategy in a way that feels fresh and exciting, while motivating more people to get involved in sport.
The UAE is the 100th member globally, what does it mean for the UAE to be part of such a growing adventure?
The Emirates Esports Federation joining the World Phygital Community as its 100th member is a remarkable milestone for us. And it reflects both the UAE’s commitment to innovation in sport and the rapid growth of the phygital movement in the region.
It’s especially significant because it comes at a time when Abu Dhabi has established itself as a global stage where innovation meets sport. The city is preparing to host the Games of the Future 2025 from 18-23 December, bringing the world’s top athletes and clubs to compete across 11 disciplines for a $5 million prize pool. Adding to that, the city has consistently shown its ability to deliver events that capture worldwide attention. Backed by strong institutional support and modern infrastructure, it is perfectly placed to debut a pioneering format like the Games of the Future, bringing together athletes, clubs, and fans in a way that reflects both the city’s ambition and the region’s growing appetite for new sporting experiences.
Being the 100th member and hosting the Games of the Future at the end of this year positions the UAE at the heart of this new era, underscoring its ambition to lead in both sport and digital transformation.
How does this align with official strategies in the country and governmental bodies’ directives?
From the World Phygital Community’s perspective, what excites us is how naturally phygital sport complements the UAE’s innovation-driven, active lifestyle vision, promoting healthier habits among young people and mirroring the country’s digital transformation agenda. The country has introduced initiatives such as its National Sports Strategy 2031 and Sports for All programs to broaden engagement. Hosting the Games of the Future 2025 in Abu Dhabi reflects that vision. Our role is to provide the platform and support for phygital sport to flourish, and we’re proud to see how well it fits within the UAE’s broader ambitions.
One of the main problems in the Middle East, due to geographical and environmental challenges, is to get people to participate in sports as opposed to being viewers. Is the phygital angle the answer?
Phygital sport is certainly one of the answers. It was developed in part to address participation challenges that arise when traditional formats or conditions discourage people from taking part.
By blending the excitement of gaming with physical sports, it connects with people who are comfortable in digital spaces and motivates them to get active. The format is fast, engaging, and easy to follow, so someone who might not usually join a football match can be drawn in through the gaming aspect, then be inspired to step onto the pitch. This dual pathway doesn’t just keep audiences watching; it actively brings a new profile of athletes into the action.
What makes phygital sport especially suited to the region is its adaptability. It requires less space than many traditional sports and can be played indoors, making it easier to host in areas where heat or outdoor conditions could be limiting. Venues like the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre have already demonstrated this in practice, where it staged the Phygital Contenders: Abu Dhabi – Football qualifier in July and will host the Games of the Future 2025 this December. With such infrastructure in place, phygital sport presents a modern, accessible, and sustainable path to wider participation across the Middle East.
Female interest in sports is growing statistically by leaps and bounds; how does one cater to women and are phygital sports open to women in the region?
Right from the start, phygital sport has been designed to be open to everyone, with no restrictions on who can join a team or compete. The format actively encourages female participation across all regions, and we are beginning to see promising examples.
In Brazil, women’s teams have competed in Phygital Shooter, while Phygital Dancing has attracted strong female engagement worldwide thanks to its mix of creativity, rhythm, and athleticism. As awareness grows, we expect even more women to get involved across a wider range of disciplines, making inclusivity a natural part of the sport’s development.
