Last year’s exhibition events, framed as the Fidgetal Games, were held in Kazan to fine-tune operations ahead of the main tournaments. The tenth anniversary edition wrapped on October 22, drawing seventeen nations including Spain, China, Serbia, Turkey, Chile, Nigeria, and Cameroon. These early demonstrations give a practical glimpse into what future contests may look like for both players and spectators in North America and beyond.
Phygital sports blend digital play with physical competition in a practical biathlon. Athletes start on a digital stage, using a simulator or computer game, then move to a real field or arena. The disciplines are organized into five challenges: Sports, Tactics, Strategy, Pace, and Technology. The tenth Phygital Games featured events like phygital football and phygital basketball under Sports, a Tactics mix combining CS:GO and Warface with laser tag, and Strategy through Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Each discipline carries its own tricks and subtleties.
On the tangible basketball court, spectators noted the pristine playing surface. Beneath each athlete lay a large LED monitor displaying team color and heart rate, while real-time data circulated through the venue after matches. The court graphics from the stands impressed many observers. A phygital Games basketball referee recalled the moment with awe, underscoring the emerging spectacle of the format.
A broad array of chips awaited participants and spectators in the tactics challenge, which blends tactical combat with laser tag. A virtual stadium hosted digital viewers who watched broadcasts on their devices. They could participate by sending commands or emojis into the chat, appearing as actions by their digital avatars. While generating a wave remains a challenge, the stadium atmosphere could surge in step with the events unfolding on the field.
Innovations extended to the laser tag arena as well. During broadcasts, viewers could track players’ health status, view field maps, and see who scored a frag. The athletes’ nicknames moved with them on the field, and moments’ intensity could push pulse readings beyond 200. A commentator might see the broadcast reflected in real time. Esports analysts noted that this tool makes commentary noticeably easier, elevating the overall viewing experience.
This is a new sport
Industry executives described fidget as evolving into a more holistic product with each event. The format has grown beyond its early cautious phases, and a clearer understanding has emerged of how to present it to audiences. Filming on site helps producers grasp the depth of the concept and engage viewers in previously unseen ways. A new format has already been tested and refined for broader appeal.
Technical features and broadcast quality remain important, but the foundation stays solid. The core appeal lies in the blend of digital and physical elements that create a distinctive entertainment experience for fans and participants alike.
Winners from international competitions emphasized that change is inevitable. Media football serves as a vivid example of how rules evolve and audiences grow more curious about experiments with phygital formats. This trend is seen as a pathway to attract younger audiences from desk to field.
For several countries, a hybrid model combining a football simulator with live play on the field could pave the way to significant success. Winners of the events expressed confidence that football simulators will become increasingly valuable and noted that participation in the Games of the Future would support this development.
Phygital opens new pathways
Coaches described the competitive dynamic as entertaining because it requires two distinct skills. Some players excel on the field, others at the console, and that contrast adds intrigue and tension. There have been moments when teams that lose on the console win on the field, underscoring the format’s unpredictability.
The growth of mobile sports audiences depends in part on the organic exchange between classic sports and e-sports. A leading figure from Cameroon observed that many traditional players lack familiarity with real console play, while e-soccer players often grasp only part of real sport. Competitions that merge the two worlds help unify players and extend audience reach. Phygital is viewed as a major driver of evolving sports landscapes worldwide.
A basketball player from China suggested a practical approach to boost phygital momentum: organizing similar events domestically to capitalize on a large population and strong interest in both sports and e-sports. He believes the field will grow quickly with the right events and exposure.
Plans from Russia highlight leadership at the highest level. Discussions about a second tournament similar to China were noted by authorities in Moscow, signaling a commitment to expanding the Games of the Future on a global stage. The format of physical sports serves not only to attract viewers but also to train participants. Coaches suggested simulators could motivate younger players to take up sports seriously. A former player and coach stressed that mastering console play could enrich real-world performance, hinting at a future where console play and on-field performance become intertwined in meaningful ways.
Experts believe technology development will push physical sports toward greater popularity. A team captain argued that in an era dominated by technology and the internet, these events can grow rapidly and attract diverse audiences worldwide. The consensus among participants is that phygital will not replace traditional sports but will complement them, elevating the overall appeal of future games.
An established cyber football figure summarized the sentiment: there is classical sport, there is e-sports, and there is phygital—a new branch that does not compete with existing disciplines but expands the landscape. The Future Games are positioned to showcase this expansion to a global audience, with the breadth of test events indicating readiness to host top-tier tournaments that resonate with viewers from many countries. As preparations move toward the final phase, organizers aim to present physical sports in Russia to the widest possible audience. The extensive work across sports, organizational, and technical areas demonstrates a resolve to deliver a compelling, high-quality showcase on a global scale.
Marked references point to the ongoing evolution of what phygital offers to fans and participants alike, with ongoing discussions about how this hybrid approach can broaden access and deepen engagement across nations. (Source: Future Games Initiative)