The Emirates Esports Federation has officially become the 100th member of the World Phygital Community (WPC). This milestone highlights the rapid global growth of phygital sports — a unique blend of physical and digital competition. The announcement comes as Abu Dhabi prepares to host the highly anticipated Games of the Future 2025.
UAE joins global phygital sports movement as WPC hits 100 members
The World Phygital Community, the only official global network uniting phygital organizations, has welcomed the United Arab Emirates as its 100th member just one year after its founding. This milestone underscores the rising international interest and momentum in phygital sports, which combine traditional athletic competition with digital gaming.The Emirates Esports Federation’s membership follows the recent Phygital Contenders: Abu Dhabi – Football tournament and comes ahead of the Games of the Future 2025. The upcoming event will bring together clubs and phygital athletes competing across 11 official disciplines for a $5 million prize pool.Since its inception, the WPC has expanded rapidly to include members from countries such as Germany, Saudi Arabia, Lesotho, Malawi, and Sierra Leone. This growth reflects the increasing appeal of phygital sports, which engage athletes, fans, and communities by combining physical and digital competition.Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Shakhbout Al Nahyan, President of the Emirates Esports Federation, said: “The Emirates Esports Federation is proud to join the World Phygital Community as its 100th member. This milestone is especially meaningful with the Games of the Future coming to Abu Dhabi later this year. We are honored to be part of this global movement and look forward to supporting the rise of phygital sports in the region.”Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sports, added: “Our membership in the World Phygital Community reflects the UAE’s commitment to innovation in technology and sport. We aim to lead this new era of sports. As we prepare to welcome athletes and fans from around the world for the Games of the Future 2025 in December, we are proud to be the WPC’s 100th member and help shape the future of phygital sports.”
What is the World Phygital Community?
The World Phygital Community is a non-profit, international organization dedicated to promoting phygital sports, a hybrid form of athletics that merges physical activity with digital gaming. The WPC sets competition rules, supports tournament structures, and connects organizations, athletes, and fans worldwide.Phygital sports combine the skills and physical presence of traditional sports with the fast-paced strategy and engagement of digital games. This hybrid format creates new opportunities for competition and community interaction on a global scale.
Core phygital disciplines governed by WPC
The WPC currently oversees four main ranking disciplines, all blending physical and digital elements:
- Phygital Football: Starts with a virtual digital match, followed by a physical football contest. Scores from both rounds are combined to determine the winner.
- Phygital Basketball: Players accumulate points in both physical games and simulator-based digital rounds. Total scores decide the outcome.
- Phygital Dancing: Competitors replicate on-screen dance moves, with performance scored by algorithms on accuracy, rhythm, and style.
- Phygital Shooter: Combines a digital round played on in-game maps with a physical round like laser tag, mixing strategy with real-world action.
Beyond these, the WPC supports many non-ranking disciplines including phygital versions of racing, hockey, skateboarding, BMX, fighting, and cycling. This reflects continuous innovation and expansion within the phygital sports space.
Looking ahead: Games of the future 2025 in Abu Dhabi
The UAE’s recent WPC membership comes as it prepares to host the Games of the Future 2025 in December. This flagship event will feature 11 official disciplines and a $5 million prize pool, drawing clubs and athletes from around the world.The Games of the Future will serve as a major platform to showcase phygital sports on a global stage, solidifying the UAE’s position as a leading hub for this emerging sporting frontier.
