Games of the Future Astana 2026 blasts off with an unforgettable opening
It's finally here! The Games of the Future 2026 presented by Samruk-Kazyna are now underway after the President of Kazakhstan officially launched the tournament at a remarkable opening ceremony.
Over the next 12 days, Kazakhstan will become the global stage for phygital sport's biggest event, as more than 800 participants from over 50 nations arrive to compete across eight disciplines for a prize pool of more than US$4 million.
Four iconic venues across Astana are eagerly waiting to see elite competition, passionate fans and unforgettable moments. Thousands of spectators are expected to experience GOTF 2026 live - with millions more watching around the world.
The action is already underway.
Phygital Basketball presented by Halyk Fund kicked off the competition, giving fans the first taste of the speed, skill and intensity that defines phygital sport. From July 31, the excitement continues as Battle Royale: PUBG: Battlegrounds presented by Alatau City Bank and MOBA PC: Dota 2 presented by CenterCredit join the schedule, before the remaining disciplines take center stage.
On the first day, all eyes turned to Barys Arena for an unforgettable opening ceremony, where H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, officially welcomed athletes, guests and supporters to the Games of the Future Astana 2026. Combining cultural performances, immersive technology and superb production, the ceremony celebrated the country's heritage while looking ahead to the future.
Earlier, the Phygital Sport Summit 2026 brought together government ministers, international sports leaders, technology executives and innovators at the International Center of Artificial Intelligence "Alem AI" to explore how artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and innovation are reshaping sport.
Astana hosts this year's Games of the Future following a landmark 2025 edition in Abu Dhabi, which generated more than 461 million broadcast views and reached an estimated 137 million unique viewers worldwide.
Whether you're cheering from the stands or watching from anywhere in the world, every match is available live on Phygital+, alongside an expanding network of international broadcast partners, including Fox Sports Mexico, StarTimes, BIGG TV, ESR TV, Play TV, Unbeaten and QazSport.
This is only the beginning. To stay up to date with competition schedules, results and the latest tournament news, on the website, or follow GOTF 2026 across social media on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
