ABU DHABI CONFIRMED AS HOST CITY FOR GAMES OF THE FUTURE 2025
UAE capital to welcome the world for landmark phygital sporting event, 18-23 December 2025
ASPIRE appointed as UAE Delivery Authority for the Games of the Future: Abu Dhabi 2025
ABU DHABI, UAE, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ -- Phygital International, the global governing body for the Games of the Future (GOTF), has officially announced Abu Dhabi as the Host City for the Games of the Future 2025, taking place from 18-23 December.
Bringing together cutting-edge innovation and elite competition, the Games of the Future will transform Abu Dhabi into the epicenter of phygital sport and feature a dynamic fusion of physical athleticism and immersive digital gaming. The multi-sport event includes a variety of ground-breaking phygital disciplines, including Phygital Football and Phygital Shooter, as well as tech sports and esports.
Each phygital discipline sees athletes first compete in a digital version of their sport, followed by competing in the same sport in real-life. Final results are determined by combining performance across both stages - blending the physical and virtual into one seamless competitive experience.
ASPIRE, the driving force behind grand challenges and global competitions for Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), is appointed as the UAE Delivery Authority. In this role, ASPIRE will lead the delivery of the event's innovation agenda, ensure alignment across multiple stakeholders, and coordinate funding frameworks with government partners and sponsors.
Ethara, the region's leading live event management organization, will serve as the Event Delivery Partner, leading end-to-end execution including venue operations, logistics, and fan experience. In addition, Ethara will drive event promotion and play a key commercial role by securing sponsorships and partnerships to support the event's success. The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) has been confirmed as the official venue, providing a world-class stage for the full spectrum of phygital sporting competitions and fan experiences.
"We're thrilled that Abu Dhabi will welcome thousands of phygital athletes, clubs, and fans for the Games of the Future 2025," said Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International."With its bold vision for sport and technology, the UAE is the ideal stage for this groundbreaking event. Since the inaugural Games, phygital sports have grown into a global movement, and this year's edition promises to be our most exciting yet."
Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE said: "As the UAE Delivery Authority, ASPIRE is proud to help shape the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 - a global platform where sport, technology, and imagination converge. From AI-powered mobility to immersive digital experiences, Abu Dhabi is where innovation meets impact. We look forward to welcoming the world to ADNEC this December for an event that will inspire the future of sport and technology."
In addition to elite competitions, the event will feature virtual reality immersive fan engagement zones, cultural activations, and technology showcases. The inaugural edition of the Games of the Future, saw over 2,000 athletes from more than 100 countries take part, broadcast to global audience and attracting over 300,000 spectators and fans.
The Games of the Future: Abu Dhabi, 2025 marks a powerful next chapter for the phygital movement, bringing the Games to a new audience in the Middle East, where ambition, experimentation, and bold applications of technology thrive. With Abu Dhabi's unique blend of innovation and cultural dynamism, the stage is set for a one-of-a-kind global experience.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Paris' iconic cauldron from the Olympic Games returns to light up summer nights
PARIS (AP) — A year after it captivated crowds during the Paris Olympics, a centerpiece of the summer Games is making a comeback. The iconic helium-powered balloon that attracted myriads of tourists during the summer Games has shed its Olympic branding and is now just called the 'Paris Cauldron.' It is set to rise again into the air later Saturday, lifting off over the Tuileries Garden. Around 30,000 people are expected to attend the launch, which coincides with France's annual street music festival — the Fete de la Musique, the Paris police prefecture said. And it won't be a one-time event. After Saturday's flight, the balloon will lift off into the sky each summer evening from June 21 to Sept. 14, for the next three years. The cauldron's ascent may become a new rhythm of the Parisian summer, with special flights planned for Bastille Day on July 14 and the anniversary of the 2024 opening ceremony on July 26. Gone is the official 'Olympic' branding — forbidden under IOC reuse rules — but the spectacle remains. The 30-meter (98-foot) -tall floating ring, dreamed up by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur and powered by French energy company EDF, simulates flame without fire: LED lights, mist jets and high-pressure fans create a luminous halo that hovers above the city at dusk, visible from rooftops across the capital. Though it stole the show in 2024, the cauldron was only meant to be temporary, not engineered for multi-year outdoor exposure. To transform it into a summer staple, engineers reinforced it. The aluminum ring and tether points were rebuilt with tougher components to handle rain, sun and temperature changes over several seasons. Though it's a hot-air-balloon-style, the lift comes solely from helium — no flame, no burner, just gas and engineering. The structure first dazzled during the Olympics. Over just 40 days, it drew more than 200,000 visitors, according to officials. Now anchored in the center of the drained Tuileries pond, the cauldron's return is part of French President Emmanuel Macron's effort to preserve the Games' spirit in the city, as Paris looks ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Toronto Star
Paris' iconic cauldron from the Olympic Games returns to light up summer nights
PARIS (AP) — A year after it captivated crowds during the Paris Olympics, a centerpiece of the summer Games is making a comeback. The iconic helium-powered balloon that attracted myriads of tourists during the summer Games has shed its Olympic branding and is now just called the 'Paris Cauldron.' It is set to rise again into the air later Saturday, lifting off over the Tuileries Garden.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
PWHL Vancouver signs forward Hannah Miller on first day of free agency
PWHL Vancouver signed former Toronto Sceptres forward Hannah Miller as a free agent on Monday. The expansion team announced the deal on the first day of the league's free agency window. The 29-year-old Miller played two seasons in Toronto, and had 10 goals and 14 assists in 29 games last season. She previously spent five seasons with the KRS Vanke Rays in China. 'I'm truly honored and very excited to be joining the team in Vancouver,' Miller said. 'It means so much to me to represent the city where I first fell in love with the game. It's a real full-circle moment, and I can't wait to meet all the fans and get started!' The native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, represented China at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and scored the host country's first goal of the Games. Miller was named to Canada's roster for this year's women's world hockey championship in March, but was later ruled ineligible due to International Ice Hockey Federation transfer rules. 'Hannah is an elite forward who can put up points and wear down opponents,' Vancouver general manager Cara Gardner Morey said. 'We are excited to bring her home to Vancouver to be part of our foundation.' Vancouver will continue adding to its inaugural season roster with six picks in the 2025 PWHL Draft on June 24, including the seventh overall selection.
