World Phygital Community Introduces Global Qualifying Tournaments for 2025 Season
In an exciting development for athletes and sports enthusiasts worldwide, the World Phygital Community (WPC) has announced the launch of its ranking tournament season for 2025/2026. This initiative aims to provide opportunities for athletes and clubs to qualify for the prestigious Games of the Future, set to take place in Kazakhstan in 2026.
From August 1 to December 15, 2025, a series of tournaments organized by WPC members across the globe will allow participants to showcase their skills in phygital sports, a blend of physical and digital athleticism. The tournaments will consist of regional competitions known as Phygital Origins, followed by national championships termed Phygital Rivals, allowing athletes to compete at multiple levels.
Dan Merkley, the chair of the WPC, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming season, stating that it promises to be the largest yet, with 96 members spanning 92 countries. This growth reflects the increasing popularity of phygital sports, which are designed to be inclusive and accessible to all. The organization is eager to see which emerging talents will make their mark during this season.
The tournaments will focus on several core disciplines, including Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, Phygital Shooter, and Phygital Dancing. Each of the first three disciplines will consist of two distinct phases: a digital round where athletes compete in video game versions of their respective sports, followed by a physical round featuring real-life matches. Phygital Dancing tournaments will incorporate popular dance video games, creating an immersive phygital experience on a single platform.
At the conclusion of the tournament series in December, a comprehensive ranking will be established, with the top two clubs and athletes in each discipline earning direct qualification to the Games of the Future 2026. Those ranked between third and twenty-sixth will have the opportunity to compete in the Phygital Contenders tournament for a chance to secure their spot at this significant event.
Prior to the start of the season, WPC members can apply to host Phygital Origins and Phygital Rivals tournaments from May 1 to July 31, 2025, further encouraging community engagement and participation.
For editors seeking further information, the World Phygital Community is a non-profit international organization dedicated to promoting phygital sports by bridging physical and digital communities globally. It oversees the rules and regulations governing phygital sports and organizes the Phygital Origins and Phygital Rivals competitions. Winners of the Phygital Origins will have the chance to face off against other winners at the Phygital Rivals, ultimately vying for a spot at the Games of the Future.
The Games of the Future is an annual international event that merges the physical and digital spheres, representing the pinnacle of phygital sports. This tournament gathers the next generation of dynamic sports heroes from around the world to compete in various sports and challenges. The Games of the Future 2025 will take place in the United Arab Emirates, followed by the 2026 edition in Kazakhstan.