Yugra Trains Champions in Phygital Sports
A modern phygital center is under construction in the town of Raduzhny. It will feature a laser tag arena, a drone racing track, and state-of-the-art esports equipment. The city plans to welcome competitors from other regions and even abroad.
Sports Facility to Open by Year’s End
The term phygital sport, describing a hybrid of physical and digital competitions, was coined in 2007. In Russia, phygital events were officially recognized as a sport in 2023. A year later, the country hosted the first international phygital Olympics, the ‘Games of the Future,’ which fueled a surge of interest in the discipline. With growing demand, specialized training facilities are emerging across the regions.
Phygital sport quickly moved beyond the privilege of major cities. In Raduzhny, a small town in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District, a new complex is being built that will host both traditional and digital competitions.
The Raduzhny center will include three key zones: a digital zone with a laser tag arena, esports equipment, and a drone track; a physical zone with gyms, outdoor workout areas, basketball and mini-football courts; and a service zone with locker rooms, showers, a food court, and lounge spaces.
Construction is nearly complete, with groundwork, foundations, and utility installations finished. The center is expected to open its doors to visitors by the end of this year.
Online Competitions Expand Opportunities
Local authorities expect competitors from other cities and potentially other countries, especially for virtual tournaments. For example, Moscow’s legendary ‘Garden Ring’ cycling race was recently mirrored in virtual format, attracting far more participants. Anyone across Russia could join by installing an app and connecting a simulator. Raduzhny’s officials plan to replicate this model for their events.
The Raduzhny center is the region’s first full-scale facility dedicated to phygital sports, which are now becoming an integral part of physical culture in Yugra. In remote settlements of the Surgut District, additional phygital venues have already been equipped, with youth centers in Lyamina, Sytomino, and Ult-Yagun receiving VR headsets, simulators, hockey goals, and other gear. These initiatives were made possible with support from the Russian Ministry of Sport.
This infrastructure breakthrough will drive youth engagement in both recreational and professional sports.
Hybrid Sports Appeal in Remote Regions
The Raduzhny center demonstrates how phygital sports can be implemented at the regional level, and early feedback suggests strong local support. Upcoming programs will include large tournaments and educational camps, with phygital centers in Moscow and beyond serving as hubs.
Such facilities appeal not only to esports-minded youth but also to tourists and investors. Phygital sports have massive potential to attract new audiences by combining physical activity, interactive technologies, and accessibility. Experts emphasize the need to develop domestic technological solutions to ensure the stability and security of competitions, as well as the creation of quality infrastructure for hybrid sports.
