Global Ranking Tournaments Kick Off the Road to the Games of the Future 2025, Setting the Stage for Phygital Sports
12th November 2024, Hong Kong – The in-country regional and national ranking tournaments for the Games of the Future 2025 are in full swing, setting the stage for a spectacular display of skill and innovation at next year’s Games. Hosted by the World Phygital Community (WPC), these ranking tournaments are taking place across the globe bringing together phygital clubs and enthusiasts for a chance to become both National Phygital Games champions and win an opportunity to progress to the next stage on the road to competing at The Games of the Future 2025, which is to be hosted by the United Arab Emirates in November 2025. The UAE was selected as the host nation during a ceremony held in Istanbul in June 2024.
Running until November 30th, participating WPC members around the world are hosting in-country regional Phygital tournaments which are closely followed by National Phygital Games, which will continue until January 30th, 2025. These tournaments are a key factor in the WPC ranking system and qualifying path that leads to coveted places for clubs to compete in the pinnacle of the phygital sporting calendar, the Games of the Future 2025.
The in-country regional Phygital tournaments provide a high-energy display of athleticism and technology, featuring participants competing across a dynamic mix of ‘Phygital’ disciplines that blend the physical and digital worlds. Ranking in-country regional tournaments have already been completed in several countries, including the Serbia Phygital Basketball Tournament and Serbia Phygital Dance Tournament as well as the Cameroon Phygital Basketball Tournament and the Uzbekistan Phygital Dance, Phygital Basketball and Phygital Football Tournaments. In the coming weeks, other WPC member clubs from markets such as Qatar will begin their respective tournaments.
Promising a unique fusion of traditional sports and immersive gaming, phygital sports provide a competitive outlet for athletes to demonstrate skill, strategy, and creativity through disciplines such as:
- Phygital Football: Competitors start with a football simulator before moving onto the mini field for an intense live match.
- Phygital Basketball: Athletes test their abilities on a basketball simulator before facing off in a thrilling 2 v 2 court game.
- Phygital Shooter: Combining tactics and speed, participants score points in both a tactical shooter game and a live-action laser tag arena.
- Phygital Dancing: Contestants showcase their moves in a dancing simulator, with top scorers advancing to a final live showdown.
Competing in Ranking Tournaments goes beyond advancing to the next stage on the road to the Games of the Future; it fosters a global community united by a shared passion for innovation and inclusivity. Phygital has created a unique space that bridges physical and digital sports, bringing together athletes from diverse backgrounds to compete across both dimensions. As the phygital movement continues to grow, so does the WPC, close to 100 countries are already part of this ever-expanding global community. Phygital clubs are buzzing with anticipation to be part of this modern sporting phenomenon where everyone is invited.
For the WPC, Ranking Tournaments are not just about competition but about evolving the ever-growing arena of Phygital sports. René Fasel, Board Director, World Phygital Community commented: “Ranking tournaments are the proving grounds where breakout stars and future Phygital champions are born. We’re witnessing the rise of a new breed of athletes, uniquely equipped to thrive in this hybrid realm of sports and gaming. From the high-octane energy of Phygital football to the laser-focused precision of tactical shooter games, every challenge on the road to the Games of the Future brims with excitement and possibility.”
Stay tuned as these extraordinary athletes continue their journey towards the Games of the Future 2025 in the UAE.