Featured image credit: Phygital International
Phygital International, operator of the Games of the Future, has announced that Dubai will host the second edition of the event next year.
The Games, which fuse physical and digital sports, debuted in the Russian city of Kazan earlier this year. The UAE was announced as the host of next year’s Games during the inaugural World Phygital Summit in Istanbul, Turkey last month, however its precise location was not disclosed.
This has now been decided as Dubai, with the second Games of the Future scheduled for autumn 2025. Dubai recently launched the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 – aimed at attracting technology giants, as well as digital, gaming and experiential talent globally.
This city-wide 10-year program is now fully focused on building and growing the phygital community, and will act as a hub aimed at nurturing phygital development and excellence whilst hosting events such as the Games of the Future.
HE Ghanim Al Hajeri, director general of the UAE’s General Authority of Sport, said: “There can be no doubt of Dubai’s status as the world leader and a hub for the brightest and best in sports and technology.
“It is therefore a natural step for Dubai to play host to the Games of the Future 2025, building on its platform of excellence and directing this towards being a key part the phygital movement and this great tournament.
“Hosting the Games of the Future 2025 next autumn will showcase Dubai’s extensive experience in delivering world class sporting tournaments, but also send a message to the world that Dubai is dedicated to growing and building a truly global phygital community rooted in innovation and excellence.”
Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International, added: “This partnership is a perfect fit. The most important event in the phygital sporting calendar, taking place in Dubai, a city pushing the boundaries of sporting and technological advancement. It could not be a more exciting proposition.
“Players and teams from around the world will be able to enjoy not only what promises to be an unsurpassed phygital competitive experience, but also have the opportunity to soak up the city’s unparallelled tech, sport and gaming culture.”
The host nation bid process for Games of the Future 2026 and 2027 is currently taking place, with Phygital International stating that bids have been received from multiple cities across the globe.
Earlier this week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rubber-stamped a long-term deal that will see Saudi Arabia be the home of its new Olympic Esports Games concept.
The IOC Session in Paris endorsed a proposal made by its Executive Board earlier this month. For the organisation of the Games, the IOC has partnered with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia for 12 years, with the first edition due in 2025.
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