Future Games 2025: UAE Hosts Next-Gen Global Sports
▼ Summary
– Abu Dhabi will host the Games of the Future 2025 from 18-23 December at ADNEC Centre, featuring phygital sports that combine real-world athleticism with gaming technology.
– The event aligns with the UAE’s ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision and the Year of Community, reinforcing its role as a global hub for sport, innovation, and youth empowerment.
– The tournament includes 11 disciplines such as Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, and Battle Royale, with participation from international clubs and athletes across multiple continents.
– It is organized by ASPIRE in collaboration with Ethara and Phygital International, supported by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Ministry of Sports.
– The Games aim to inspire youth, foster teamwork and innovation, and promote inclusivity and global unity through the integration of sport and technology.
Abu Dhabi is set to host the Games of the Future 2025, a landmark international competition that unites elite athletes, professional gamers, and top clubs in a series of phygital sports, hybrid disciplines merging physical athleticism with digital gaming technology. This pioneering event will take place from December 18 to 23, 2025, at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, aligning with the UAE’s ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision and its declaration of 2025 as the Year of Community. The initiative underscores the nation’s ambition to be a global leader in sports innovation, youth development, and cultural exchange.
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sports, described the hosting of the Games as a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward becoming a worldwide center for innovation and next-generation sports. He stressed that the event reflects the core principles of the We the UAE 2031 vision, focusing on empowering young people, advancing the digital economy, and strengthening the international reputation of Emirati sports.
“The Games of the Future 2025 seamlessly integrates athleticism with technological innovation, motivating young people, accelerating sports development, and encouraging teamwork while supporting a sustainable, knowledge-driven economy,” Dr. Al Falasi stated. “Our Ministry is dedicated to ensuring the event’s success and reinforcing the UAE’s standing as a premier host for major international sports competitions.”
By offering a global platform for young athletes and gamers to display their skills, the Games aim to inspire future generations to pursue creativity, collaboration, and technological advancement. Hosting a world-class phygital tournament further establishes the UAE as a convening force for transformative global events.
The event also resonates with the spirit of the Year of Community, celebrating values such as inclusivity and unity. It will bring together competitors, supporters, and clubs from across the globe, fostering mutual respect, strategic thinking, and cooperation both in and outside of competition. This initiative highlights the nation’s commitment to using sport and technology as tools for building connections and driving progress.
The competition will showcase 11 distinct disciplines, including Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, MOBA titles for PC and mobile, and Battle Royale games. These events blend the intensity of live athletic contests with the strategic depth of digital gameplay.
Numerous international and regional clubs have already signed on to participate, such as PBC Astana, Thang Long Warriors, Intercosmics, CD Holcattes, and Great Team Brazil. In Phygital Football, teams like México Quetzales – Armadillos FC, CM Jardim, Greni Smith, Z10, FC WHITEBIRD, and La Crema will return to Abu Dhabi for the final championship, building on their success in the earlier Phygital Contenders: Abu Dhabi – Football tournament.
The event enjoys support from member organizations of the World Phygital Community, including Phygital Brazil, the Serbian Association of Electronic Sports, and the Belarusian Federation of Phygital Sports, demonstrating the expanding global network dedicated to advancing phygital sports.
Star competitors confirmed for the Games include Rodrigo Ulibarri and Aldair Giorgana from México Quetzales – Armadillos FC, as well as Matheus Dedo of CM Jardim, all recognized for their exceptional performances in both traditional and digital sports. They will be joined by a growing lineup of clubs and athletes from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, highlighting the widespread enthusiasm for the phygital format among the international sports community.
The event is organized by ASPIRE, the Local Delivery Authority for GOTF 2025, in partnership with Ethara as the Event Delivery Partner and Phygital International as the Global Rights Holder. Key stakeholders supporting the event include the Host City Entity, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and the Official Partner, the Ministry of Sports.
Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, remarked, “The Games of the Future embodies the UAE’s forward-thinking vision to create opportunities for youth, innovation, and community engagement. By uniting athletes, gamers, fans, and partners to present sports in an entirely new way, we are bringing together technology and athleticism through the exciting medium of phygital sports.”
ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi will be reconfigured into a futuristic arena tailored for this groundbreaking global spectacle, providing the ideal setting for a world-class phygital sports presentation. Its advanced infrastructure and operational expertise help cement Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a top-tier host for international events.
For comprehensive information about GOTF 2025, including schedules, ticket availability, and event news, visit the official website at gotfabudhabi.com.
Media professionals are invited to cover the Games of the Future 2025 either on-site at Abu Dhabi’s ADNEC Centre or through virtual access from anywhere in the world. Accredited journalists will receive exclusive entry to competitions, press conferences, live streams, athlete interviews, and behind-the-scenes experiences at this innovative global event. Applications can be submitted via the Media Center page on the event website.
(Source: MEA Tech Watch)
