Phygital Contenders Ignite Abu Dhabi: CEO Nis Hatt On Revolutionising Sports With The Games Of The Future

This summer, Abu Dhabi hosted the electrifying 'Phygital Contenders: Abu Dhabi - Football' tournament from 25–29 July at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), as top-tier clubs from around the world compete for a coveted spot in the Games of the Future 2025.

As the culmination of a year-long global competition season, including the Phygital Origins and Phygital Rivals tournaments, this event positions Abu Dhabi as the ultimate proving ground before the Games of the Future 2025, set for 18–23 December in the UAE capital. Only the finest clubs will secure their place on this prestigious global stage, vying for the title of world champions.

In his role as CEO of Phygital International, Nis Hatt, CEO of Phygital International, is a leading voice in sport, working to build a sustainable and progressive sporting future for the world through phygital. His progressive leadership at Phygital International ensures that the phygital sport is always evolving and expanding, as illustrated by the increase of new and innovative disciplines and technologies being ever-embraced into the movement. His exclusive conversation with OneArabia.me on how Phygital is shaping the future of sports in the region and worldwide.

Can you explain the concept of "phygital" athletes. What unique skills they bring to the Games of the Future?

Phygital athletes represent a new generation of competitors shaped by both physical sport and esports. They compete across two linked formats: a video game and a real-world physical setting. In the Phygital Football discipline for example, athletes begin with a football video game before immediately moving into a real-life football pitch. This demands a unique blend of physical coordination, gaming skill, and mental focus. Phygital athletes train to transition smoothly between formats and perform under pressure in both environments.

What inspired the concept of the Games of the Future, and how do you envision it transforming the landscape of competitive sports?

The concept was born from a need to rethink how sport engages younger audiences. Many young people today interact with competition through video games more than through physical activity. The Games of the Future (GOTF) was created to connect these two spaces. By offering a format that encourages them to move as well as learn strategy skills, the event promotes healthier habits in a way that feels relevant and engaging.

This helps inspire wider participation in sport, especially among those who may not have identified with conventional formats. By introducing phygital disciplines, tech sports, and esports, the Games are redefining what it means to compete on the global stage and expanding how the next generation experiences and values sport.

Why was Abu Dhabi chosen as the host city?

Abu Dhabi brings a strong combination of ambition, technological vision, and proven experience in hosting global sports events. The city has hosted major competitions across both sports and esports formats, including Formula 1, UFC, and esports tournaments such as the BLAST Premier. It has built a reputation as a trusted host city with the capacity to deliver large-scale international events.

The support from local institutions and the region's growing interest in innovation made it a natural choice for introducing a new format like the Games of the Future. Abu Dhabi offers both, the infrastructure and the global reach needed to bring together athletes, clubs, and fans from around the world.

How do you envision the integration of physical and digital experiences, and what technologies will be central to this hybrid format?

The Games of the Future include a mix of phygital disciplines, tech sports, and esports formats. Each one is designed to offer a distinct experience. Some disciplines combine video games with live physical action. Others rely on control systems, like Drone Racing, or motion and rhythm, like Phygital Dancing. What connects them all is the opportunity for athletes to compete in new ways and for audiences to follow every moment live. The integration is not only about technology but about creating a format that reflects how sport, technology and esports are evolving together as a new form of entertainment.

Could you elaborate on the role of ASPIRE and Ethara in organizing the Games, and what their contributions will mean for the event's overall success?

The delivery of the Games of the Future 2025 is obviously complex, involving multiple stakeholders. So we are grateful for the support and commitment of all our partners in bringing this to life.

Our partners, ASPIRE, who are the driving force behind grand challenges and global competitions for Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) and have now been appointed as the UAE Delivery Authority. ASPIRE will take the lead on delivery of the event's innovation agenda, ensuring alignment across multiple stakeholders and coordination of necessary frameworks with government partners and sponsors.

Ethara, as the region's leading live event management organization, is the official Event Delivery Partner. The team at Ethara will bring excellence and expertise to lead end-to-end execution of the Games, including venue operations, logistics, and fan experience.

The efforts and dedication of all our partners will culminate in the live event on 18-23 December at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), providing a world-class stage for the full spectrum of phygital sporting competitions and fan experiences.

What kind of events can attendees expect?

Attendees will experience a wide range of disciplines involving sport, tech, and gaming. We look forward to an electrifying lineup of 11 disciplines that reflect the evolution of sport in a digital age. The list includes Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, Phygital Fighting, Phygital Dancing, Phygital Shooter, Battle Royale, MOBA PC, MOBA Mobile, Drone Racing, VR Games, and Battle of Robots.

This structure creates an environment where fans of traditional sport and esports can enjoy competition in the same space. It offers a new kind of spectator experience where sports and esports come together in real time.

How will the Games of the Future redefine the fan experience compared to traditional sporting events?

The Games of the Future offers something spectators rarely get to see: digital and physical competition unfolding side by side, featuring the same athletes. In a single venue, fans can follow a full spectrum of sport across disciplines such as Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, and Phygital Shooter. The format is designed to be entertaining, fast-paced, and easy to follow, with the transitions between digital and physical adding a new level of anticipation.

What sets it apart is not just the technology or the spectacle, but the structure itself. Spectators witness a new kind of athlete competing in both environments, with the outcome based on combined performance. This creates a different rhythm compared to traditional events. It is one arena, multiple formats, and a fan experience that reflects how sport and entertainment are evolving.

What legacy do you hope the Games of the Future will leave for Abu Dhabi and the global sports industry beyond 2025?

Events like this contribute not only to local goals such as Abu Dhabi's Vision 2031 but also to a broader global movement focused on innovation, inclusion, and the future of sport.

GOTF is an inclusive event that welcomes anyone with a passion for sport, gaming, or technology. It is unique in the way it brings so many disciplines, sectors, and interests together. In doing so, it bridges the generational divide between fans of traditional sport and younger audiences who connect more naturally with digital formats. Phygital sport offers a common ground where both worlds can coexist, evolve, and thrive.

The Games of the Future has the potential to set a global benchmark for tech-driven sport, creating a launchpad for a new era of international competitions that blend innovation, digital infrastructure, and athletic performance. As the format grows, it can inspire other cities and regions to explore hybrid models of sport that reflect how younger generations engage with competition. Abu Dhabi's role as host reinforces its reputation as an innovative capital and a reliable partner in shaping what comes next.

What steps are being taken to create a sustainable, environmentally responsible event?

All partners involved with the Games of the Future are deeply committed to sustainability and have their own set of sustainability goals in line with national agendas.

Ethara has implemented strong eco-practices like reducing waste, boosting water and energy efficiency. ASPIRE is driving sustainable innovation not just at the Games, but across Abu Dhabi and, additionally, ADNEC's recent partnership with Emirates Water & Electricity Company EWEC means the venue is powered entirely by clean, renewable energy, making it the first and largest event space in the Middle East to do so.

Having a ready-made, customisable venue with the capabilities to host an event of this nature is a real advantage.

Together with Phygital International's strong focus on diversity and sustainability, all these efforts come together to form a solid foundation for delivering a truly environmentally responsible Games of the Future.