Blab Sports
Phygital Contenders Astana 2026 Finalizes Qualifiers for Games of the Future
On 15 June 2026, the Phygital Contenders Astana 2026 tournament concluded after five days of competition in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event served as the final qualification stage for the Games of the Future 2026 (GOTF), which will be held in the same city from 29 July to 9 August. More than 200 athletes from over 20 countries participated in three phygital disciplines – Football, Basketball and Dancing – and 60 athletes earned direct qualification to the GOTF.
In Phygital Football, ACF x Allur secured the qualification spot after a strong performance in the group stage and knockout rounds at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace. The club’s unbeaten run culminated in a victory over NS Team in the final, earning the team a place in the GOTF football event. Other clubs that qualified include NS Team, KMF Titograd and FC Olympic Phygital.
Phygital Basketball was won by ZM NITUI, who completed an unbeaten tournament run at the Alau Ice Palace. The club’s victory earned them a spot in the GOTF basketball competition. MINSK, Valencia Basket and Triada also secured qualification places after finishing in the top four of the tournament.
In Phygital Dancing, Andres Guardo claimed the title with a series of performances that demonstrated rhythm, precision and consistency. Guardo’s win secured him a place at the GOTF. The runner‑up, Sagdi, and third‑placed Susan Huertas and fourth‑placed Sergio Mayta also earned qualification.
According to the official press release from Phygital International, four qualification places have been confirmed in each discipline through placement at Phygital Contenders Astana 2026. The final two slots for each discipline will be allocated in the coming weeks based on overall season rankings, completing the lineup for the GOTF.
The Games of the Future 2026 will bring together more than 800 participants from over 50 countries across eight phygital disciplines, including Shooter, Fighting, MOBA PC, MOBA Mobile and Battle Royale. The event will feature a prize pool of more than US$4 million.
John Hewitt, International Marketing & Communications Director at Phygital International, said: "Phygital Contenders Astana 2026 has showcased the extraordinary talent, determination and competitive spirit that define phygital sport. Bringing together athletes and clubs from across the world, the tournament highlighted both the global appeal of this format and the strength and diversity of the phygital movement. As we look ahead to the Games of the Future 2026, the performances we have witnessed here in Astana offer an exciting glimpse of what fans can expect when the world’s best phygital competitors come together later this summer."
The tournament’s venues – the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace for football and the Alau Ice Palace for basketball – are among the world’s top facilities. The Alau Ice Palace, an 8,000‑seat speed‑skating oval opened in 2011, has hosted a variety of sports events and is known for its high‑quality infrastructure.
The GOTF will be the pinnacle event of the global phygital calendar. It will feature a mix of physical and digital competition, with athletes required to score points in both formats. The event is organized by Phygital International, the custodian and rights holder of the Games of the Future.
Media accreditation for the Games of the Future 2026 is now open. Coverage of the event will be available through Phygital+, the official streaming platform for the tournament.
As the Phygital Contenders Astana 2026 tournament ends, the focus shifts to the Games of the Future 2026. Qualified teams and athletes will prepare for the final competition, while the remaining qualification slots will be awarded based on season rankings. The GOTF promises to be a showcase of the evolving intersection of physical sport and esports, attracting participants and spectators from around the globe.
For more information on the Games of the Future 2026, visit the official website at https://astana2026.gofuture.games/ or contact Phygital International at press@phygitalinternational.com.
In Phygital Football, ACF x Allur secured the qualification spot after a strong performance in the group stage and knockout rounds at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace. The club’s unbeaten run culminated in a victory over NS Team in the final, earning the team a place in the GOTF football event. Other clubs that qualified include NS Team, KMF Titograd and FC Olympic Phygital.
Phygital Basketball was won by ZM NITUI, who completed an unbeaten tournament run at the Alau Ice Palace. The club’s victory earned them a spot in the GOTF basketball competition. MINSK, Valencia Basket and Triada also secured qualification places after finishing in the top four of the tournament.
In Phygital Dancing, Andres Guardo claimed the title with a series of performances that demonstrated rhythm, precision and consistency. Guardo’s win secured him a place at the GOTF. The runner‑up, Sagdi, and third‑placed Susan Huertas and fourth‑placed Sergio Mayta also earned qualification.
According to the official press release from Phygital International, four qualification places have been confirmed in each discipline through placement at Phygital Contenders Astana 2026. The final two slots for each discipline will be allocated in the coming weeks based on overall season rankings, completing the lineup for the GOTF.
The Games of the Future 2026 will bring together more than 800 participants from over 50 countries across eight phygital disciplines, including Shooter, Fighting, MOBA PC, MOBA Mobile and Battle Royale. The event will feature a prize pool of more than US$4 million.
John Hewitt, International Marketing & Communications Director at Phygital International, said: "Phygital Contenders Astana 2026 has showcased the extraordinary talent, determination and competitive spirit that define phygital sport. Bringing together athletes and clubs from across the world, the tournament highlighted both the global appeal of this format and the strength and diversity of the phygital movement. As we look ahead to the Games of the Future 2026, the performances we have witnessed here in Astana offer an exciting glimpse of what fans can expect when the world’s best phygital competitors come together later this summer."
The tournament’s venues – the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace for football and the Alau Ice Palace for basketball – are among the world’s top facilities. The Alau Ice Palace, an 8,000‑seat speed‑skating oval opened in 2011, has hosted a variety of sports events and is known for its high‑quality infrastructure.
The GOTF will be the pinnacle event of the global phygital calendar. It will feature a mix of physical and digital competition, with athletes required to score points in both formats. The event is organized by Phygital International, the custodian and rights holder of the Games of the Future.
Media accreditation for the Games of the Future 2026 is now open. Coverage of the event will be available through Phygital+, the official streaming platform for the tournament.
As the Phygital Contenders Astana 2026 tournament ends, the focus shifts to the Games of the Future 2026. Qualified teams and athletes will prepare for the final competition, while the remaining qualification slots will be awarded based on season rankings. The GOTF promises to be a showcase of the evolving intersection of physical sport and esports, attracting participants and spectators from around the globe.
For more information on the Games of the Future 2026, visit the official website at https://astana2026.gofuture.games/ or contact Phygital International at press@phygitalinternational.com.
