Abu Dhabi has launched a new kind of global sports attraction with the opening of the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025, a six-day event that fuses elite competition, esports and physical sport inside the ADNEC Centre. Running until 23 December, the event brings together more than 850 participants from over 60 countries to compete across 11 disciplines, combining digital gameplay with live athletic performance for a multi-million prize pool.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Games opened with packed halls, high-energy crowds and tournaments spanning MOBA PC.Dota 2, MOBA Mobile.MLBB, Phygital Football powered by ADNOC and Phygital Basketball.3on3 FreeStyle brought to you by M42. The competition is organised by ASPIRE in collaboration with Ethara and Phygital International, with ADNOC serving as title sponsor.
The opening day also marked a strategic moment for the future of the event. Organisers confirmed that the international bidding process is now open for the 2028, 2029 and 2030 editions, signalling ambitions for long-term global expansion.
“This is an important moment as we begin the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025, powered by ADNOC, following a fantastic official opening ceremony yesterday,” said Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE. “The strong support of Abu Dhabi and UAE leadership has been crucial in launching the Games and advancing a new format where traditional sport meets innovation.”
Where digital play meets physical performance
The Games of the Future are built around the concept of phygital sport, in which athletes and gamers compete first in a digital format and then on a physical playing surface, with combined scores determining the outcome. On the opening day, this hybrid structure delivered both drama and accessibility for spectators unfamiliar with competitive gaming but drawn to live sport.
Phygital Football powered by ADNOC opened in Hall 8, where teams alternated between console play and five-a-side football in front of cheering crowds. In one of the day’s standout matches, UEL TEAM and Greni Smith drew 2-2 in the digital stage and 1-1 on the pitch, forcing penalties that UEL TEAM won 4-3. Elsewhere, Peñarol edged Z10 after winning 5-4 online and drawing 2-2 physically, while MÉXICO QUETZALES – ARMADILLOS FC defeated Red Moon with a dominant performance across both formats.
“The most important thing in phygital is to have a team that is very solid in both digital and physical, and to go game-by-game,” said Rodrigo ULIBARRI Gomez, Captain of MÉXICO QUETZALES – ARMADILLOS FC. “You need to understand that even if you have a really good team, your opponents are likely also well prepared, so you just have to take every game step by step and treat every match as if it is a final.”
Phygital Basketball.3on3 FreeStyle followed a similar format, with teams competing for 7 minutes on consoles before moving to an LED-lit court for a further 7 minutes of live play. Adria All Stars set the tone early by defeating E7 38-14 on aggregate, replicating their 19-7 digital scoreline in the physical contest.
“Phygital sport is quite simply, the fusion of physical and digital competition,” said Nis Hatt, CEO, Phygital International. “It combines the excitement of traditional sport with the innovation and intensity of competitive gaming.”
A new travel draw for Abu Dhabi
Beyond the competition itself, the Games of the Future position Abu Dhabi as a destination for a new generation of sports-focused travellers. The event blends live entertainment, immersive technology and international competition, offering visitors an experience that sits somewhere between a global tournament and a technology showcase.
Organisers say the concept reflects how younger audiences engage with sport today. “We have to recognize that the new generations have a different way of looking at and living sport on a daily basis,” added Stephane Timpano, CEO at ASPIRE. “We really believe that, in the future, there will be a lot more integration between sport and technology.”
For athletes, the scale and atmosphere are part of the appeal. Paulo PAULO Kuseta, Captain of Adria All Stars, described his participation as the “biggest experience of my life so far”. “Playing on this stage means so much to me. We gave 100 percent out there for the team and I’m very proud of us,” he said.
The ambition extends well beyond this year’s programme. During the opening press conference, organisers highlighted the rapid growth of phygital sport worldwide and the intention to expand the Games into new host cities in the coming years. “Over a very short period of time, the phygital movement has grown much quicker than we initially thought was possible,” said Nis Hatt, CEO, Phygital International.
With competitions continuing daily until 23 December, the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 offer a glimpse of how major sporting events may evolve — and how destinations are adapting to attract travellers seeking experiences that merge live action, digital culture and global community.
