BISHKEK - Kyrgyzstan is actively preparing to host the 6th World Nomad Games, which will be held from August 31 to September 6, 2026. 336 million soms ($3.84 million) have been allocated from the state budget for the organization and hosting of this large-scale international sports and cultural forum, 24.kg reports.
According to Ulukbek Omurbekov, head of the Directorate for National Sports, the prize fund for the competition will be 61.3 million soms (more than $700,000). The total budget for the sports portion of the Games is set at 334.2 million soms. These funds will be used for athlete training, training camps and qualifying tournaments, equipment, accommodation, and food.
The return of the World Nomad Games to Kyrgyzstan is of particular significance. Kyrgyzstan initiated this international project, hosting the first three tournaments in 2014, 2016, and 2018 on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. Subsequently, the right to host the Games was transferred to Turkey, which hosted the IV Games in 2022, and the V World Nomad Games were held in 2024 in Kazakhstan. The decision to return the competition to Kyrgyzstan is due both to the republic's historical role in the creation of the project and to the intention to give new impetus to the development of traditional sports and the promotion of the cultural heritage of nomadic peoples on the international stage.
The Sixth Games will be held under the motto "Unity of Strength! Unity of Spirit!" The program includes 43 sports, including 20 national disciplines. More than 3,000 athletes from over 100 countries are expected to participate. They will compete in national wrestling, equestrian competitions, archery, and other traditional disciplines.
The Kyrgyz authorities hope that hosting the World Nomad Games will strengthen the country's international image, develop tourism, and promote the cultural heritage of the peoples of Eurasia.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
June 1, 2026