Tula Region Is Building Two New Phygital Sports Centers
Two phygital sports centers that blend digital technologies with traditional physical activity will open in Russia's Tula Region. One will be built in the regional capital of Tula, while the second will be created in the town of Uzlovaya by renovating the Lokomotiv sports and wellness center.
The flagship regional phygital center in Tula will feature gaming PCs, consoles, and virtual reality equipment, alongside outdoor facilities for mini soccer, basketball, and workout training. Officials expect the two venues to attract thousands of young people to regular sports activities.
More Than RUB 170 Million in Federal Funding
For Tula Region, phygital sports represent an entirely new type of athletic infrastructure. Until now, the region has built only conventional sports facilities. Construction of the center in the regional capital is estimated to cost more than RUB 170 million (approximately $2.2 million). The funding comes from the federal Biznes-sprint – Ya Vybirayu Sport (Business Sprint – I Choose Sport) project, with additional private investment supporting the development. The center will be completed by the end of 2026 on the grounds of Arsenal Central Stadium.
Inside the facility, visitors will find a PC gaming hall, a console gaming room, and a dedicated virtual reality zone. Outdoors, the complex will include mini soccer fields, basketball courts, and workout bars.
The second phygital center will be established in Uzlovaya as part of the renovated Lokomotiv sports and wellness center. Renovation work is already underway, after which the facility will be equipped with specialized hardware for phygital competitions.
Where the Physical and Digital Worlds Meet
Phygital sports combine competition in two formats: digital disciplines such as esports and traditional athletic events that test physical performance. Final results are determined by combining competitors' performances across both formats.
Interest in this hybrid approach, which merges esports with physical activity, continues to grow across Russia and internationally. During a recent official visit to Elista, where a phygital center is already operating, Tula Region Governor Dmitry Milyayev said Kalmykia's experience would help the region develop its own facilities.
"This is a modern format that brings together traditional and digital sports. It includes areas for mini soccer, street basketball, and workout training, alongside esports spaces with computer labs, gaming consoles, and virtual reality. For us, this experience is especially valuable," he said after touring the phygital center in Elista.
A Growing Network of Phygital Venues
The first Phygital Games were held in Kazan in 2022. Participants combined competitions in sports simulation games with real-world soccer and basketball matches while also competing in drone racing and VR gaming events. Those tournaments became the practical foundation for an entirely new sports discipline.
In January 2023, phygital sports officially became a recognized sports discipline in Russia. That decision was followed by the creation of regional federations, organized competitions, and athlete development programs. In February 2024, Kazan opened one of the country's first dedicated phygital sports centers.
Today, Russia is expanding a nationwide network of accessible phygital venues not only in major cities but also in smaller municipal centers. The country's Phygital Development Strategy through 2030 calls for dedicated infrastructure, standardized training methods, specialist education, competitive events, and wider participation across different age groups. The new centers in Tula Region will become part of Russia's national competition and athletic training system.
For Russia's technology sector, expanding this network creates demand for domestically developed software, sports simulation platforms, VR and AR technologies, computer vision systems, sports analytics, and competition management platforms. One particularly promising area is the development of games designed specifically for official phygital disciplines.
