Phygital Sports (a mixture of physical + digital) is a new sports concept that combines e-sports and real sports. In the PSL, teams can compete against each other in three disciplines: Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball and Phygital Dancing. The result is a unique competitive experience in which digital and real sports merge. Teams have to be convincing in both rounds. This creates a completely new sports experience that combines gaming and real sport.
Marcus Meyer, Sports Director of PSL, explains:
Traditional sports have barely changed over decades, while eSports have become digital, fast and exciting, but often lack the real emotion and community. The two worlds have no bridge to each other. This is exactly where the Phygital Sports League comes in.
The game consists of two rounds: one digital and one physical. At the beginning, the teams play in digital sports with popular video games such as UFL Football, Freestyle:Rebound and Just Dance. The results achieved are then taken into a real sports competition and count directly as starting points.
The game is played on the most modern playing field in the world, the ASB glass floor, which lights up and gives the game a new dimension of experience.
The results of both rounds are added together to determine the winning team.
The PSL is part of the global phygital sports phenomenon, which is already played in 94 countries worldwide. The PSL is now also demonstrating in Germany how gaming and real sport can be successfully combined.
The PSL focuses on inclusion, community and the fun of sport. The aim is to bring together everyone who may not have had access to competitions or communities through the traditional sports world. Gamers, athletes and everyone in between will find a space here that is not just about performance and perfection, but about team spirit, passion and cohesion.
The PSL is inspiring more and more players and clubs, creating new communities and opening up new economic opportunities for the sports industry along the entire value chain. From technological innovations and digital competition formats to live events with an international reach.
Meyer emphasizes:
'We are connecting the physical and digital worlds. In the PSL, athletes compete against each other both on the real playing field and in the digital arena and both performances count together. This results in short, emotional, energetic formats that fit perfectly into today's media habits: TikTok, Instagram and Twitch.
The Phygital LigaBox offers a modern solution for clubs that want to combine digital and real sports experiences in a changing sports landscape to retain their members in the long term.
With a plug and play package, clubs and coaches can quickly and easily access phygital sports, from soccer and basketball to tennis, badminton, cycling and other disciplines.
Meyer explains:
'Clubs are the heart of sport, but many struggle to attract young members. We invite them to join us in shaping the digital transformation of sport. With our Phygital LigaBox, any club can immediately become part of the PSL, modernize its structure and re-engage the younger generation. It's a real upgrade for grassroots sport.
The box contains everything you need for a modern setup: Consoles, screen, Meta Quest 3 VR goggles and a sophisticated camera system that automatically records game rounds and processes them for social media content. This allows the clubs to increase their visibility and expand their reach.
This creates the potential to shape the future of sport. Teams, clubs and players can become part of a league that not only inspires locally, but also generates global attention.
For sponsors, this is an opportunity to position themselves in the field of digital sports and benefit from the growing reach of the Phygital Sports League.
The Phygital LigaBox will be presented for the first time at ISPO 2025.
On November 30, the first German Phygital Sports Championship will take place at ISPO 2025. Teams from all over Germany will compete against each other in soccer, basketball and dance. First digitally, then live on the field.
An unforgettable atmosphere with live action, state-of-the-art technology and an exciting competition. The event will not only be unforgettable with exciting matches, but also with a big party and lots of entertainment for spectators and players.
The winning teams will have the unique opportunity to travel to the international final in Astana, including flights and hotel, to compete against international teams for a prize pool of US$ 5 million.
The Phygital Sports League Arena is the ideal place to experience new technologies and the future of sport. Be there live when gaming and sport become one.
How does Phygital Football work?
General:
- A team consists of 5 to 8 players
- Total playing time: 30 minutes
Digital round
- UFL Football is played on a console
- Two players per team compete against each other
- There are two halves of 4 minutes each
- Different players may be used for each half
- 9 minutes effective playing time
- Rules: No golden goal and no penalty shootout
- The goals from the video game are used as starting points for the real game
Physical round
- This is followed by a real soccer match on a small pitch (5 vs 5)
- Each team starts with the goals from the digital round
- Up to 3 substitutes per team
- There are two halves of 5 minutes each
- 13 minutes effective playing time
- Rules: Futsal; the ball may bounce off the boards
Who wins?
- At the end, the goals from both phases are added together
- The team with the most points from both games wins
- If there is a draw, there is a penalty shoot-out on the small pitch
How does Phygital Basketball work?
General:
- A team consists of 4 players
- Total playing time: 20 minutes
Digital round
- Freestyle:Rebound is played on a console
- Two players per team compete against each other
- 10 minutes effective playing time
- The digital game ends as soon as one team reaches 19 points
- Rules: Shot clock 24 sec.
- The points from the video game are carried over into the real game
Physical round
- This is followed by a real basketball game on a small court (2 vs 2)
- Each team starts with the goals from the digital round
- 7 minutes effective playing time
Who wins?
- At the end, the goals from both phases are added together
- The team with the most points from both games combined wins
- If there is a tie, there is a free throw duel
- Each team has 3 free throws to determine the winner
How does Phygital Dancing work?
General:
- A team consists of 2 dancers
- Total playing time: 15 minutes
Digital round
- Just Dance is played on a dance simulator
- One player per team competes against each other
- The players dance to popular music and have to imitate the movements of the game character exactly; they wear sensors or controllers that transmit their movements to the game in real time
- 3 tracks, 2-4 minutes each
- 15 minutes effective playing time
- Scoring: Automatic; in-game algorithms measure precision, timing and sense of rhythm
Physical round
- The digital round is followed by a stage performance (1 vs 1)
- Each team performs an individual choreography to their own song
- 3 minutes effective playing time
- Evaluation: The performance is presented in front of a jury, which evaluates creativity, expression and beat
Who wins?
- At the end, the points from both rounds are added together
- The team with the most points from the 3 songs plus the jury points wins
- In the event of a tie, the stage performance of the same song is repeated
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