The Games of the Future Astana 2026 powered by Samruk-Kazyna officially concluded on August 9 after 12 days of competition in Astana, Kazakhstan. The international tournament brought together over 800 participants from more than 50 nationalities competing for a total prize pool exceeding $4 million across eight distinct disciplines.
Held from July 29 to August 9 across four venues in Astana, the event combined physical sports, digital gameplay, and traditional esports titles, attracting both established organizations and emerging phygital talent.
Champions Crowned Across Eight Disciplines
The competition saw titles awarded across both phygital sports and standalone esports titles:
- Battle Royale (PUBG: Battlegrounds): 17 Gaming secured the title and the $300,000 top prize, holding off GAM The Expendables. Team Vitality finished in 3rd place, ahead of Twisted Minds, Geekay Esports, and Team Falcons.
- MOBA Mobile (MLBB): Bigetron by Vitality claimed the championship trophy after defeating ONIC in the final, with Aurora Gaming, Team Falcons, and Team Spirit rounding out the top standings.
- MOBA PC (Dota 2): PlayTime earned their first major Games of the Future title, defeating a field that included VICI Gaming, Xtreme Gaming, and Execration.
- Phygital Shooter (CS2): Host nation representatives Team KZ claimed the crown by defeating Liga Pro Team in the final at the Beeline Arena.
- Phygital Football: NS Team dethroned last year's champions Quetzales-Armadillos to take 1st place in a tournament featuring clubs like Peñarol, Los Troncos FC, and Orlando Pirates Fives.
- Phygital Basketball: Wilders secured a 1st-place finish and the $100,000 prize pool, topping a group of teams that included Valencia Basket and Boca Juniors.
- Phygital Fighting: Archangel Michael finished at the top of the standings to claim the title.
- Phygital Dancing: Franco Vitali took 1st place, competing against a field that included three-time Just Dance World Champion Umutcan Tutuncu.
Global Reach and Diplomatic Presence
In addition to competition, the event hosted delegates, government officials, and ministers from over 60 countries, as well as representatives from the United Nations and National Olympic Committees.
Broadcast coverage was distributed through 289 outlets in over 150 countries and territories, delivered in more than 20 languages. Full replays of all event disciplines remain available on the tournament’s dedicated streaming platform, Phygital+
