Abu Dhabi, UAE - [18 December 2025]: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the inaugural Phygital Sports Summit opened on 17 December at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. The event brought together global leaders, athletes, and innovators to examine how sport and technology are converging to shape the next generation of competition. Timed to coincide with the launch of the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025, the Summit explored a range of topics including AI-enhanced athlete performance, mixed-reality training, and the rise of phygital disciplines that combine physical skill with digital gameplay. The Summit, which served as the curtain raiser for the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025, which runs until 23 December, opened with a keynote address from His Excellency Dr Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sport, who highlighted the role of innovation and youth empowerment in shaping the future of sport. H.E. Al Falasi emphasised that the hosting of the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 represents a significant milestone in the UAE’s journey to strengthen its position as a global hub for future sports, serving as a premier platform that integrates sports innovation, advanced technology, and human potential. He noted phygital sports introduce an advanced concept of athletic competition that transcends traditional frameworks, combining physical fitness, digital readiness, and swift decision-making within a cohesive competitive environment. This approach supports the development of a new generation of athletes equipped with a balanced set of physical, mental and technological skills, epitomising the importance of digital fitness as a fundamental element of future competencies. H.E. Dr. Al Falasi added: “By hosting the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025, the UAE reaffirms its commitment to developing a modern sports ecosystem that responds to the evolving dynamics of our time. Central to our priorities are youth empowerment, advanced technology and sports innovation. This summit illustrates that phygital sports extend beyond competitions; they create a global dialogue that unites youth worldwide, fostering a platform for cultural exchange and collaboration through the universal language of sport.”
Furthermore, His Excellency highlighted that the hosting of this event aligns with the UAE’s strategic vision to empower youth, strengthen a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy, and promote values of teamwork and cultural connectivity among nations. Throughout the day, speakers from global sports bodies, technology companies, and government agencies discussed how innovation is reshaping infrastructure, fan engagement, and athlete development. Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE said, “We are shaping new competitive formats that test athletes differently and connect with audiences in powerful new ways. Advanced digital platforms, immersive environments, and real-time data are now essential parts of the sports experience.” That fusion of digital and physical is also at the core of Phygital International, the global rights holder of the Games. CEO Nis Hatt said the movement is more than a trend, calling it a response to real shifts in how people engage with sport. “Phygital sport enhances human potential rather than replacing it. The global digital community now spans over 115 nations. That momentum has brought us to this historic moment in Abu Dhabi.” With the Summit concluded, attention now turns to the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025, which begins today 17 December and run through 23 December. The event will bring together more than 850 athletes from over 60 countries, competing across 11 hybrid disciplines for a prize pool of 5 million US dollars. The Games are delivered by ASPIRE, in collaboration with Ethara and Phygital International, and supported by national partners including ADNOC, EDGE, M42, Solutions+, The Galleria, ADNEC Group, and the Ministry of Sports.
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