Nairobi: Kenya is set to host its second Phygital Rivals tournament next month, continuing its role as a leading force in phygital sports across Africa.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Esports Kenya Federation announced today that the Phygital Rivals: Kenya - Phygital Football tournament will kick off on 23 November 2025 at Arena 5 Astroturf, Jamhuri Primary. This tournament will feature sixteen top clubs competing in a unique format that blends physical football with digital esports gameplay. Phygital sport combines athleticism and virtual competition, uniting the physical and digital worlds into one contest.
In the tournament, teams of five players will face off in 5v5 football matches, while simultaneously competing in a football simulator on consoles. The goals scored in both the physical game and the esports simulator will be combined to determine the overall winner.
Dan Merkley, Chairperson and Managing Director of the World Phygital Community, praised Kenya's leadership in advancing phygital sports across Africa. He noted that the upcoming tournament will showcase the passion, talent, and innovation that characterize this growing movement. 'We're proud to see local clubs preparing for the global stage at the Games of the Future 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan,' Merkley said. He added that the event will unite communities that love both physical sport and gaming.
Ronny Lusigi, President of Esports Kenya, urged esports athletes to embrace the challenges of merging physical and digital sports. 'In today's rapidly digitalising world, it's important we also maintain our physical activity. I encourage players to embrace phygital sports because we are all digital, but we are also physical, together, we are phygital,' Lusigi stated.
The inaugural Phygital Rivals tournament in Kenya took place in January 2025 at the Uhuru Sports Complex. The championship was claimed by Isaa Team from Kajiado, who earned the opportunity to compete at the Phygital Contenders: Abu Dhabi - Football tournament in July 2025, advancing to the quarterfinals.