The Nomadic World Will Gather in Kyrgyzstan. What to Expect at the VI WMC: Innovations and Program

From August 31 to September 6, 2026, the VI World Nomad Games (WNG) will take place in Kyrgyzstan. At a press conference at the "Kabar" agency, Kazybek Moldazhiyev, the director of the State Agency for Physical Culture and Sports, announced the dates, location, and innovations of the upcoming event.

Moldazhiyev reminded that in late December 2025, Kyrgyzstan received official status as the host of the World Nomad Games. "This status is a recognition of our work. With this right, Kyrgyzstan takes on the responsibility for the format, rules, and concept of the Games," he emphasized.

Participants and Scale

According to Moldazhiyev, interest in the World Nomad Games from the international community is constantly growing. "For the VI Games, 43 types of national and traditional sports are registered," he noted.

Looking at the statistics, at the first WNG in 2014, representatives from 19 countries participated, in 2016 — 62 countries, in 2018 — 82, in 2022 — 79, and in 2024 — already 89 states.

The number of participants has also significantly increased: in 2014, 771 athletes participated in the Games, while in 2024, their number rose to about 2,500. It is expected that more than 100 participating countries and over 3,000 athletes will arrive for the VI World Nomad Games.

Location and Timing

Kazybek Moldazhiyev reported that the opening of the VI World Nomad Games will take place on August 31, 2026, coinciding with the anniversary summit of the SCO. The ceremony will be held in Bishkek at the ongoing construction of the "Bishkek Arena" stadium.

The format will be innovative: on August 31, the opening will take place in the capital, and on September 1, participants will be organized to move to Cholpon-Ata (Issyk-Kul region) for accommodation. Competitions will start on September 2 and conclude on September 6 in Cholpon-Ata.

The main venues for the competitions have been chosen as four locations: the hippodrome, the "Gazprom" sports complex, the "Rukh-Ordo" ethno-complex, and Kychyn.

Program of the Games

The program of the World Nomad Games includes eight main directions:

• national games of the peoples of the world;
• horse racing;
• horse competitions;
• national wrestling styles;
• traditional strength sports;
• intellectual games;
• traditional archery;
• national hunting with birds of prey and dogs.

New Competitions

Moldazhiyev noted that equestrian sports occupy a central place in the World Nomad Games, as they attract the most attention from spectators and the press.

"The VI WNG will include kokpar alongside kok-boru. We emphasize that sports are outside of politics, and we continue to promote ethno-culture and ethno-sport. Our teams will also participate in the kokpar competitions," he added.

Additionally, for the first time, the "great player of kok-boru" and "great horse of kok-boru" will be determined, which, according to him, will attract additional public attention and serve as an incentive for athletes. The club format in kok-boru will not be applied; the competitions will take place in the traditional format.

Nursultan Adenov, head of the International Secretariat of the World Nomad Games, also announced the inclusion of national wrestling styles of the peoples of Yakutia and Buryatia in the program. "These peoples are actively interested in the Games, and one of the most significant delegations of participants will come from Russia," he noted.

It should be noted that the historical component is the main criterion for selecting disciplines for the Games' program, with a preference for traditional sports.

Slogan of the Games

Moldazhiyev announced the slogan of the VI World Nomad Games: "United in strength, united in spirit."

"Sports unite people. Kyrgyzstan, as a leader in the development of ethno-culture and ethno-sport, must demonstrate this unity," he emphasized.

Additional Activities

Nursultan Adenov noted that the state pays special attention to the preparation for the VI Games. "We started preparations early to conduct the Games at a high level. We have raised the bar higher than in 2018," he said.

According to him, invitations have been sent to 100 countries, and more than 40 states have already confirmed their participation. Accreditation of athletes will take place from May 1 to July 1, 2026, and in July, the exact number of participants and countries will be known.

In addition to the sports program, an extensive cultural block is also planned. It will include evening concerts, an international ethnic festival with participation from about 40 countries, showcasing the culture of the peoples of the world in areas such as ethno-hit, ethno-fashion, ethno-dance, and ethno-storytelling.

"Kyrgyzstan will create a unique atmosphere of traditional ethnic culture, which tourists will be able to immerse themselves in for an entire week," Adenov added.

There are also plans to create exhibition zones to promote Kyrgyzstan's tourism potential.

Prize Fund

Kazybek Moldazhiyev reported that the total prize fund of the VI World Nomad Games, with the support of sponsors, will exceed 49 million soms. From the state budget, 336 million soms have been allocated for the organization of the Games. Participants will also receive gift packages.

He specified that the prize fund for horse racing will be from 1 million soms for the first place, and in the kok-boru competitions — 5 million soms.