Almada hosts the first Phigital sports event in Portugal
Friday, September 27
80 students from the region will participate in tournaments organized by the Instituto Piaget and ISG Esports.
Portugal will host its first Phigital sports meeting, which combines physical and digital sports in a single event, the “EsportsFusion By Piaget,” where around 80 students from secondary and vocational schools will compete in a tournament taking place at the Instituto Piaget campus in Almada on September 27.
The event, organized by Piaget in partnership with Isg eSports, is the first of its kind in the country and brings together traditional sports and video games, allowing participants to test their skills in both physical and virtual matches.
In total, about 80 students from secondary and vocational schools in the Almada region will compete in two categories: five-a-side football (futsal) and basketball, as well as their digital counterparts, EA FC 25 and NBA 2K.
The 8 teams, made up of 8 to 10 members each, will face off in both formats, and those with the best performances will take home trophies and medals.
“The concept of ‘Phigital’ — a blend of physical and digital — has been gaining prominence in the sports world, and this meeting promises to explore the possibilities of this fusion to the fullest,” explains Rui Tomás, secretary-general of the Instituto Piaget.
The event is an opportunity for young people to showcase talent in both traditional sports and gaming, which continues to grow in popularity among younger generations, to the point that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently approved the creation of the Esports Olympic Games. Unlike traditional Olympics, the electronic gaming event will be held every two years starting in 2025.
In addition to the competitions, “EsportsFusion By Piaget” will feature the presence of several well-known professional video game players on the Almada campus. This includes Alexandre “Salazar” and Simão “Simon” Silva, both players from the National Team of NBA 2K who have been achieving excellent rankings in international competitions organized by FIBA. The professional team of Vitória de Guimarães from EA FC 25 will also be present, featuring three athletes.
With a clear commitment to innovation and the combination of different formats of entertainment and competition, “EsportsFusion By Piaget” aims to establish itself as a reference event, with a second edition promised that will include more teams.
“The Almada campus of Instituto Piaget currently offers a wide range of training both in sports and in technology and digital areas, which is why it was chosen as the venue for this first Phigital meeting. We want to pave the way for more events that explore this format, not only in Almada but in other cities across the country. This symbiosis is part of the future of sports and technology,” states Rui Tomás.
PROGRAM
08:00 – Opening Doors
09:00 – Group Draw + Briefing
10:00 – Start of Games (GROUP A/B)
13:00 – Lunch
15:00 – Resumption of Games
18:00 – Final
19:00 – Award Ceremony and Closing
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