Russia Is to Open 38 More Phygital Centers in 2026
The high-tech venues are open to anyone interested in a new hybrid form of sport.
Russia opened 36 modern phygital centers in 2025, the government said. Another 38 facilities are planned to launch in 2026.
The venues offer hybrid sports that combine competitive gaming with traditional disciplines such as basketball and football, as well as drone racing and sports programming.
The sports complexes are equipped with desktop PCs and laptops, gaming consoles, virtual-reality gear, and hardware for assembling unmanned aerial vehicles.
A Global Movement
By 2030, Russia plans to open at least 300 such centers nationwide. According to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, the centers are expected to bring more people into regular sports activities across the country. Participation has already reached about 20,000 people.
Russia also hosts major phygital competitions. In just two years, the movement has gone international. The inaugural Games of the Future in Kazan in 2024 drew participants from 100 countries. The tournament is set to be held in Kazakhstan in 2026, with Russian teams among the leaders.
