Russia’s Sports Ministry to Equip Phygital Centers with High-End Gaming Gear

Russia is investing in phygital sports—a hybrid of physical activity and digital gaming—by purchasing advanced hardware for nationwide training centers.

The Russian Ministry of Sports is set to procure 283 high-performance gaming PCs to support the growing phygital sports sector. The new equipment will be distributed among 15 dedicated centers across the country.

The nearly 500-million-ruble tender includes computers equipped with RTX 4070 Ti or RX 7900 XT graphics cards, 58 PlayStation 5 consoles paired with 4K TVs and controllers, VR headsets, and a range of peripherals. Also on the list are PCs featuring Intel Core i7 or i9 processors, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, and SSDs of at least 1 TB. Additional gear includes drone racing simulation software, laptops, laser tag equipment, and servers.

These phygital centers aim to develop both physical and digital skills. The purchase aligns with Russia’s 'Phygital Movement Development Concept' that runs through 2030. A supplier will be selected via an electronic auction scheduled for June 16.

Phygital sports are rapidly gaining popularity in Russia. The first international tournament was held in Kazan in 2024, and several regions have launched open competitions for participants of all ages. Often dubbed the 'sports of the future,' phygital events blend virtual and real-world challenges.