The Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana will bring together elite teams from around the world, all competing for final places at the world’s most innovative sporting event, where physical sport meets competitive gaming.
DUBAI, UAE, April 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The race for the 2026 Future Games enters its final phase, as Phygital International announced the full list of teams and athletes set to compete in Phygital Contenders 2026 Astanabringing together some of the best phygital talent from Europe, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia.
Taking place June 10-15, 2026, the tournament will feature leading teams in phygital football, phygital basketball, and phygital dance, all aiming to qualify for the Games of the Future 2026 (GOTF 2026), where they will compete for global glory and a share of over $4 million in prize pool.
With qualification on the line and a limited number of places available, Astana will host some of the most intense and competitive clashes seen to date in the phygital calendar. The arriving teams have already proven themselves on the regional Phygital Origins and Phygital Rivals circuits, but only a few of them will advance to compete on the world stage at the 2026 Future Games this summer, raising the stakes with every match and performance.
Across all three disciplines, teams will compete in the Future Games’ signature phygital format, combining digital gameplay and live physical performances in a unique competitive structure.
In Phygital Football, one of the most popular disciplines, a strong international field will take the stage, with teams like KMF Titograd of Montenegro returns with unfinished business after narrowly missing out on a place at GOTF 2025 last year, alongside teams including Lahore Athletics, coming from Pakistan for the first time, and one of Brazil’s most successful Liga Fut7 teams, OEAST SPall set to compete for qualification in what promises to be an exciting showdown.
In Phygital Basketball, Valencia Basket 3×3winners of Phygital Rivals Spain, arrives as one of the new phygital teams to watch. Representing the city’s professional 3×3 team, they will face tough opponents including Bocathe official 3×3 team of Boca Juniors of Argentina and champion of Serbia 3×3 2025, Commanderas they look to secure their place at the Games.
Meanwhile, blending rhythm, precision and physical endurance, Phygital Dancing will bring together a truly international line-up of artists from around the world, with established names such as Brazilian GOTF 2025 finalist. Tiago Silva and based in the Netherlands Dion Visser, alongside emerging talents, particularly based in Armenia Lala Geborgian And Jose Campos from Peru, all competing for the final spots on the world stage later this summer.
“This second edition of the Phygital Contenders reflects the strength of the course we have built,” said John Hewitt, international marketing and communications director at Phygital International. “Seeing such a competitive and diverse roster, with both returning teams and new challengers, is a strong indication that we are moving in the right direction. As teams compete for their place at the Future Games in Astana this summer, it is clear that the ecosystem is not only growing, but also becoming more competitive with each season.”
As Astana prepares to host the 2026 Future Games, the qualifiers provide a first opportunity to showcase the city’s role at the center of the global phygital calendar.
Alibek Khassenov, CEO of Future Games 2026, said: “The Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana represents a key milestone on the road to this summer’s Games of the Future, and an opportunity to demonstrate Kazakhstan’s ambition to be at the forefront of innovation in sport. Together with our partners, we are proud to welcome the world’s best phygital athletes and support the continued growth of this dynamic format.
Alongside the announcement of the Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana lineup, the first teams for the 2026 Future Games in Phygital Shooter were also revealed. Among them are new challengers like the South African Hybrids and based in Spain Clan Pedrajaswho will join the reigning champions xGoat as part of a training of eight teams in Astana.
The Future Games 2026 (July 29 – August 9) will bring together several phygital and esports disciplines, including Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, Phygital Dancing, Phygital Shooter and Phygital Fighting, as well as thrilling esports competitions including MOBA on PC and mobile, as well as Battle Royale.
As the flagship event of the global phygital calendar, GOTF 2026 is expected to bring together more than 900 participants from over 50 countries, continuing to define the future of sport by integrating digital competition with physical performance in a unique competitive setting.
The full list of participants for the Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana, as well as an overview of the rankings in all phygital disciplines, is available. here.
To stay up to date with the latest news on Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana and the 2026 Future Games, visit official website. Fans can follow all the action from Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana live (and relive the action from GOTF 2025) via the official OTT platform: tv.gofuture.games.
Notes to editors:
Are you looking forward to covering our upcoming phygital sports events?
Media interested in covering the Phygital Contenders 2026 Astana and/or the 2026 Future Games will soon be able to apply for accreditation. Please visit the Media Center at the following address: GOTF2026 website for latest updates.
About the Games of the Future (GOTF):
The Future Games is an annual international event that merges the physical and digital worlds and is the pinnacle of phygital sport. The tournament brings together the next generation of phygital sporting heroes from around the world to compete in a wide range of phygital disciplines and challenges. The 2025 Future Games took place in Abu Dhabi while the 2026 Future Games will be held in Astana.
For more information, please visit: https://gofuture.games/
About Phygital International (PI):
Phygital International is the promoter of phygital sport globally and focuses on innovating and redefining sport. It is the custodian and rights holder of the Future Games and oversees the application process of each host city.
For more information, please visit https://Phygitalinternational.com or contact us at: press@phygitalinternational.com
SOURCE Phygital International
