Sports, but upgraded: Abu Dhabi gets Games of the Future

Abu Dhabi will host Games of the Future 2025, a week of “phygital” sport that mixes physical competition with gaming tech. The tournament runs from 18 to 23 December at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi and aligns with the UAE’s Year of Community and the We the UAE 2031 vision. Expect 11 disciplines, confirmed international clubs, named athletes, and a city-wide build-up aimed at families and young fans. 

What is Games of the Future?

Games of the Future is an international event where athletes and gamers compete across hybrid formats that merge sport and digital play. Think football and basketball with sticks, sensors and screens, plus competitive MOBA and battle royale. The aim is to show how tech can add new layers to familiar sports. 

• 11 disciplines confirmed, including Phygital Football and Basketball
• PC and mobile MOBA, plus battle royale on the programme
• Physical skill still matters; tech adds scoring and strategy layers

Phygital events aren’t a gimmick. The formats push teamwork and timing while using tech for real-time feedback and creative rulesets. Expect shorter match times, visible data, and a festival feel that suits families, casual fans and hardcore players alike. 

Dates, venue and what to expect on-site

ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi hosts from Thursday, 18 to Tuesday, 23 December 2025. The venue will be re-skinned into a “futuristic field” with competition stages, fan zones and cultural showcases. Families should plan for queues at peak times and book ahead once ticketing is live.   

• Dates: 18–23 December 2025 (Gulf Standard Time)
• Venue: ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi
• Fan zones, interactive activations, cultural programming
• Details on tickets and schedules will appear on the official site

ADNEC has the scale to handle multiple stages, practice rooms and broadcast zones. The plan features a mix of competition and community areas, allowing visitors to watch matches, try activities, and meet teams. Media will get access to interviews and behind-the-scenes coverage. 

Why it matters for the UAE

The event backs national goals on digital economy, youth opportunities and community building. It ties into the Year of Community and supports the We the UAE 2031 vision in a visible, measurable way. 

• Encourages skills in tech, team play and media
• Draws investment and visitors into Abu Dhabi’s events ecosystem
• Gives young athletes and gamers a big stage

Officials say the tournament helps place the UAE at the intersection of sport and innovation. The message is consistent: empower youth, grow new industries, and use major events to build shared experiences for residents and visitors. 

Teams and athletes already confirmed

Clubs and athletes are coming from across five continents. The list includes PBC Astana, Thang Long Warriors, Intercosmics, CD Holcattes and Great Team Brazil. Phygital Football teams such as México Quetzales – Armadillos FC, CM Jardim, Greni Smith, Z10, FC WHITEBIRD and La Crema are set to return after July’s Abu Dhabi qualifiers. Named athletes include Rodrigo Ulibarri, Aldair Giorgana and Matheus Dedo. 

• International and regional clubs confirmed
• Football sides returning after the Abu Dhabi qualifier event
• More rosters expected across basketball, dancing and shooter brackets

If you followed the summer qualifier at ADNEC, this is the payoff: finalists come back for the December showpiece with bigger crowds and more cameras. Expect roster tweaks and late wildcard stories once final seeding is set. For context on July’s qualifier, see our coverage of the Abu Dhabi phygital football event. (Read: Abu Dhabi hosts phygital football qualifiers).   

Who’s organising it

ASPIRE serves as Local Delivery Authority, working with Ethara as Event Delivery Partner and Phygital International as global rights holder. Support comes from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Ministry of Sports. 

• ASPIRE: innovation accelerator under Abu Dhabi’s ATRC
• Ethara: regional events specialist with ADNEC/Yas pedigree
• Phygital International: custodian of the Games of the Future

This is a typical Abu Dhabi playbook: a specialised delivery team, a heavyweight venue operator, and a global IP owner, all aligned to push a new sports category. It should mean slick operations, quick venue turnarounds and robust broadcast. 

Community, tickets and how to follow

A community engagement roadshow will run across Abu Dhabi and Dubai before December, with interactive activations that let people try phygital sport. Ticket sales, schedules and media accreditation will be announced via the official channels closer to the date.   

• Community roadshow across key locations
• Fan zones planned at the main event
• Media can apply for on-site or virtual access

Keep an eye on updates; expect staggered drops for ticketing, talent and side events. For more on the region’s esports scene, see our recent pieces on a female-only Valorant event in Dubai.

When and where is Games of the Future 2025?

18–23 December 2025 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. 

What sports are included?

11 disciplines that merge physical play with gaming, including Phygital Football and Basketball, MOBA on PC and mobile, and battle royale. 

Why is it important for the UAE?

It supports We the UAE 2031 priorities on digital economy and youth empowerment, and aligns with the Year of Community. 

Which teams are coming?

Confirmed clubs include PBC Astana, Thang Long Warriors, Intercosmics, CD Holcattes and Great Team Brazil, with returning football teams from the Abu Dhabi qualifier. 

How do I get tickets or apply for media accreditation?

Ticketing, schedules and accreditation links will go live on official channels before the event; watch for announcements. 

Notes for UAE visitors

• Expect traffic around ADNEC during weekend finals; public transport and ride-hailing are easier for families.
• If you missed July’s qualifier, catch up here: Abu Dhabi phygital football qualifiers.