World Nomad Games, or « Olympic Games » Nomadic peoples: the largest sporting and cultural event in Central Asia.
Every two years at the beginning of the month September There is a major event: the World Nomad Games, a major competition dedicated to traditional sports and nomadic culture. While they take place each time in Central Asia, it should be noted that, in the same way as the Olympic Games, the host country changes at each edition. In 2026 and for the first time for 8 years, the Nomadic Games return within the land that saw them born... The Kyrgyzstan Hey! A new edition that promises to be unforgettable, with a country in a boil to welcome again this great competition.
But much more than a sporting competition, the World Nomad Games are a huge human and cultural celebration, where for a week the different nomadic peoples of the planet (and more!) gather their greatest athletes, musicians, dancers, singers, artisans... For a big nomadic culture festival! A party known to vibrate the pride of its hosts, happy to share their ancestral traditions and their legendary valuesreception andhospitality with spectators from all over the world.
So, how to attend the World Nomad Games 2026? How is the event going and how to get tickets? What is the programme and what is the important information to know before coming to Kyrgyzstan? This guide takes stock.
And hello, we're Delphine & Maxime. Photographers & videographers Since 2020, we have been exploring Eurasia by land for years. One nomadic life, except that we exchanged the traditional yurt for the mobility of a 4×4 with a cabin (this brave vehicle has the merit of being both the only home we own and our work tool!). With him and sometimes without, we travel the countries in depth, in search of slow and true immersions, in order to document through our reports differences that make our planet look beautiful.
From Kazakhstan to Tajikistan, from Kyrgyzstan to Mongolia, nomadic culture has finally had our soul. We were lucky enough to have very strong ties in these countries, in the image of the Kyrgyzstan where we went more than 8 months, so that today he has in our hearts the place of a second « Home ». You can find our reports and our daily life on Instagram, or our films and long formats on Youtube.
1 – The World Nomad Games, what is it? A little bit of history.
· Nomadic Games to enhance Central Asian culture
This was in 2012 at Kyrgyzstan, at a summit of the Turkish-speaking peoples, which the idea of the World Nomad Games was born. In the face of globalization and the unification of cultures, the will of the Kyrgyz government and the World Ethnosport Union is to value the cultural wealth of the peoples of Central Asia. It is then decided to create a major event, which every 2 yearscould highlight the traditions of nomadic peoples and their ancestral practices: ethnic sports, arts (dance, singing, music, handicrafts), as well as dress and architectural codes.
At first, the events were strictly reserved for nomadic athletes or from nomadic families. However, the organization quickly opened the doors of the World Nomad Games to many countries and sports from all walks of life, in order to promote trade Interculturalrespect for differences and understanding crops.
Very quickly, the World Nomad Games were structured and perfected: an opening ceremony worthy of the greatest events, modern sports venues, the development of a « ethno-village » with cultural programs and conferences, and honoured and well-rewarded athletes. Over the years, games have won popularity, more and more athletes and spectators. Today their reputation goes far beyond the borders of Central Asia and they have become so professionalized that they are compared to the « Olympic Games » modern.
The different editions of the Nomad Games in figures
- 1st Edition, 2014, Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyzstan): 10 sports and 400 Athletes from 19 countries.
- Second edition, 2016, Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyzstan): 23 sports and 1.200 athletes from 62 country
- 3rd edition, 2018, Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyzstan): 37 sports and more 2 000 athletes from 82 countries.
- 4th edition, 2022, Iznik (Turkey): 13 sports and more 3.000 athletes from 102 countries.
- 5th edition2024, Astana (Kazakhstan): 21 sports and more 3.000 athletes from 89 countries.
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2024, a record edition for the Nomad World Games in Kazakhstan.
In September 2024, Kazakhstan, host country for the first time, hosted a 5th edition of the World Nomad Games all records marked by a Modernism Unpublished: 100.000 spectators from all over the world, a spectacular opening ceremony, state-of-the-art infrastructure for ethnic sports and a huge ethno-village... Habited by an exceptional fervour! An event in the image of the surprising and futuristic capital, Astana, which was entirely in the colours of the World Nomad Games for the occasion.
If one could perhaps regret this urban setting with the traditional natural setting, these 5th Nomad Games were nevertheless impressive and took place in a particularly festive atmosphere. The city, where dozens of nationalities came together every day to enjoy its music, yurts, conviviality, artistic performances, museums and local gastronomy, was animated by a fervour and hospitality In the same way as the Kazakh population, there was unanimity among all. He has especially embodied the raison d'être of the World Nomad Games: an ode to nomadic culture.
> We were lucky enough to participate in this event as photographers and videographers accredited press. A privilege granted by the organization of which we are very grateful, which allowed us to experience the trials from within and to make images impossible to obtain as spectators. Our images of the World Nomad Games 2024 will be exhibited at the photographic festival Les Focales, in Brittany (Etel), from June 30 to September 30, 2026. You can also discover a part of it on our account Instagram or watch now our report on our channel Youtube.
2 - Key information about the World Nomad Games 2026 in Kyrgyzstan: how to attend, where to get tickets, and the program.
Where and when will the World Nomad Games take place?
This year 2026, the 6th Nomad Games will return to their historic site: the northern shores of the immense lake Issik Kul, and more precisely the city of Cholpon-Ata. They will take place from 31 August to 06 September 2026 included. However Attention : if Cholpon-Ata will centralize part of the event, the World Nomad Games will actually take place in several different places. Indeed: the opening ceremony will take place at BishkekThe capital. The village will be located in the gorges of Kyrchyn and will also receive part of the trials. Equine sports will be held in theCholpon-Ata racetrack.
What is the World Nomad Games program?
Attention to false information. Many sites or agencies have extrapolated the program to be able to sell their tours very well in advance (and those that have even too anticipated sometimes indicate bad dates). But in reality the detailed official programme n still not communicated by the organisation. To date, this is what we know and what the official sources have already communicated:
- The opening ceremony is scheduled on 31 August 2026 In Bishkek, the day of the national holiday, and it will require the purchase of specific tickets.
- The tests will take place from 02 to 06 September 2026.
- The village will be located in the gorges of Kyrchyn and will house some of the trials. Access will be 100% free!
- Equine disciplines will be held in Cholpon-Ata racetrack, a forum where access would also be subject to the presentation of banknotes.
- The closing ceremony will be held at Cholpon-Ata.
In this guide we share the information obtained from safe source. It will be updated regularly, if you have any questions contact us.
Update 2026: It just fell:
- The World Nomad Games website is officially online with an English, Russian and Kyrgyz version. It already gathers a lot of information about this new edition!
- You want to volunteer on games? You'll find Here All the information to submit your application. At the moment, there is no contraindication to applications from abroad, but there will have to be a minimum of good foundations in English.
- Are you an athlete, coach or delegate of a federation? You have until 01/04 for Submit your application and get your World Nomad Games 2026 accreditation.
Sports represented at World Nomad Games 2026
The Nomadic Games honour the ethnic sports, which refer to identity practices of nomadic culture. These disciplines often come from War traditions or directly related to lifestyle Nomads: the kok boru for example, a sport or two teams compete on horseback to fight the carcass of a goat, means « Grey wolf » and was directly inspired by the shepherds who, when they were supposed to protect their flock, were led to kill a wolf and brought his often disputed carcass back to their village on horseback. The horse in these disciplines, but there are also animals like Eagle Royal, strongly identity, still used today by some nomads to hunt in the winter mountains. Among these traditional sports you can find:
- The Kok Boru : Also called Kokpar or Buzkashi is the most popular sport in Central Asia, and it is the flagship discipline of the World Nomad Games! On their horses, 2 teams fight to put the body of a headless goat in the opposite goal called « Kazan ».
- « Kusbegilik » / Eagle hunting : The best eagle hunters gather for a demonstration of the different hunting techniques with royal eagles and hawks. On the programme: speed and precision tests.
- « Audaryspak » / The horse fight : In a boiling arena, two wrestlers fight in order to bring down the opponent of his horse.
- Horse archery : Descending from warrior traditions, several styles of horse-sound archery proposed, mixing speed, dexterity and precision.
- The Tenge Ilu : At galloping, riders must catch as many small items on the ground (traditionally: bags filled with coins: where the name « tenge » Ilu, the Kazakh currency) as fast as possible.
- Traditional archery : Popular throughout the world, archery tests differ according to the distance and type of target to be reached. This year, 4 different disciplines will be represented. As much as their accuracy, the traditional outfits of the participants are fascinating!
- Mas Wrestling : Originally from Siberia, this fight in one against a two-athlete opponent to tear a wooden stick out of his opponent's hands.
- « Powerful Nomad » / Strength tests : The « Strongmen » d
- Ordo : Playing with bones, this precision sport is open at all ages (very popular among children) and aims to remove small objects from the ground (bones).
- Traditional struggle : May she be Kazakh, Turkish, Kyrgyz, Mongolian... Or even sumo (a first in the history of the World Nomad Games!), the struggle opposes 2 opponents in an intense fight in order to bring out/fall his opponent. This year, 14 different styles will be represented!
- Horse racing Whether they play on speed or endurance, horse racing is inseparable from nomadic culture, since the dawn of time. 6 different races will take place this year.
- The intellectual games as the Mangala They will also be proposed: in the way of chess, all these ancient traditional games oppose competitors who have to exercise reflection and logic to defeat their opponent.
Focus on the village: the heart of Nomad Games.
A central place in the running of each day of the Nomadic Games.
The Nomad Games usually take place as follows: for 5 days the disciplines sequence, and even overlap, since according to the different competition sites, some events take place at the same time. For example, the traditional archery qualifying events will take place at their site, while two kok boru games take place at the racetrack. So you'll be taken away several times to duty. making choices based on the competitions you want to attend. But don't panic: the program is usually built so that, between qualifying and final stages, you can see at least once every sport if you want to not miss anything.
At the heart of this whole programme (which will be communicated in advance with specific slots for each ethnic sport), there is aethno-village. The village is open in continuous All day. Not only is it the cultural core World Nomad Games: numerous exhibitors, artisans, ephemeral museums, demonstrations, shows, concerts, conferences... But it is also the festive heart And... gastronomic! Since it is here that everyone also finds himself eat, enjoy a fresh drink, or a hot tea in a yurt. Many traditional stands and yurts offer tastings to discover local gastronomy or to eat.
A meeting point... From morning until evening.
In addition to the competitions, demonstrations and being effervescent during meals, the village is also the place where Nomad Games end up in a good mood. When the day's trials are over, we meet here to celebrate athletes, attending medal awards or even shows and concerts until the night falls! A cosmopolitan, friendly and festive atmosphere, ideal for those who wish to share warm moments with the local population... And international!
How to get tickets to attend the World Nomad Games 2026?
Attend World Nomad Games in a way autonomous It's possible!
If you plan your trip to Kyrgyzstan on these dates and that you want to attend the games on your side is possible and it will surely be the least expensive solution provided that you organize yourself in advance. Tickets for the paid events are not currently available not available for sale to the public. And there is no official information about the date of opening of sales. However, access to he will be free of charge and will already be able to observe some tests / demonstrations. Usually the purchase of individual tickets for World Nomad Games is done via the Official website World Nomad Games (still unreleased for this Kyrgyz edition 2026...). Or in different physical outlets in Kyrgyzstan, before the event. However be careful: they are unfortunately often put online shortly in advance and are at that time taken by storm, especially for the opening ceremony which offers few places for many requests. Anticipation and responsiveness are two crucial points to ensure your place at this international event. If you also wish to reserve your accommodation or car rental By your own means, you are advised to take it very well in advance, especially for this season which is already very popular in normal times!
Attend World Nomad Games by booking with a local agency
If you want to be sure you get your tickets to attend the World Nomad Games (opening ceremony, racetrack) and being able to plan your trip in advance, the best way is to go through a local agency and book a stay that includes entrance to the event. Local agencies have the big advantage of being able to buy their share of tickets in advance, just as the accommodation or Transport adequate. In this respect, each of them works with its own local providers, who have already blocked their availability to ensure the necessary number of places. This is also why a large number of well-placed accommodations to attend the World Nomad Games are no longer available for individual booking... Book an all-inclusive stay to attend the World Nomad Games is currently the best way to ensure his arrival at the event.
Our tailor-made stays and all-inclusive to attend the World Nomad Games
We've been exploring Kyrgyzstan since 2024 : we have travelled all the seasons, in her big as her little corners, there lived unforgettable experiences... But above all, we have made Meetings who changed our lives. So that we now have our friends and our second family (and even a horse!). Over these months, yearswe have been in contact with many people and organizations in the field of tourism. Today... We wanted to share this accumulated knowledge and love (when it overflows, it is better to share).
Passionate about nomadic culture and convinced of The unique experience What the World Nomad Games offer, we have imagined with our friend Khirgize Azema, director of a small local agency with more than 10 years of experience in tourism and who speaks an impeccable English and French (yes she is amazing!), stays Customized to discover the best of Nomad Games... And the best in the country.
We're very happy to offer them to you today:
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Kyrgyzstan, best place to come and see the World Nomad Games?
A country of mountains and adventures, where nomadic culture is still strongly present.
If Central Asia were an example, Kyrgyzstan would probably be a gem. This small country (3 times smaller than France) nestled at the heart of this fascinating region of the world, is a concentrate of treasures of an amazing diversity. Here, the earth stretches towards the sky and nature expresses itself in contrasts. Crossed from east to west by the massifs of Tian Shan (Celest Mountains) and the Pamir, 90% of the country is above 1,500m of altitude, and 40% above 3,000 m. This remarkable geography makes Kyrgyzstan a small country of wonders, where giants of more than 7,000m border soft and green valleys, while huge azure lakes border sharp red canyons... All with a view of the glaciers.
But Kyrgyzstan is also the country of Central Asia where the nomadic culture remained the strongest. Unlike its neighbours, nomadism is still widespread in Kyrgyz lands (over 40% of the population). Every year, as soon as the harsh winter effaces, thousands of nomadic families return with their herds in the mountains. Their felt yurts then constell the landscapes, giving the impression that time did not have a hold on these millenary traditions... Here, traditional ancestral practices such as Kok Boru, horse fighting, or eagle hunting are still practised by nomads. Sometimes for tourism, but not just.
Kyrgyzstan represents for the Nomadic Games what Greece represents for the Olympic Games.
Kyrgyz women are very proud of their traditions and particularly open to sharing them with foreigners. They regard the World Nomad Games as « their » games, and after all... Aren't they for the World Nomad Games what Greece is for the Olympic Games? We know, organizers and athletes are bubbling around here. After 8 years of absence, the return of the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyz lands promises to be... Epic!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Kyrgyzstan.
> Do I need a visa?
> How to get to Kyrgyzstan?
> How to move and rent a car?
But if you want to take full advantage of Kyrgyzstan, we encourage you to rent your own vehicle and travel this country in total autonomy Hey! After thousands of kilometers on the Kyrgyz tracks With our 4×4 cell, for nothing in the world we wouldn't change that way of travel.
> Climate and Altide: HOW TO PREPARE?
• Mal-Aigu des Montagnes: At these altitudes, remain vigilant.e facing the Evil Aigu des Montagnes (MAM). Good hydration and listening to his body are essential.
• Climate: Because of its topography, the weather forecast in Kyrgyzstan is unpredictable with cold nights (0°C or less) even in the summer.
> Money: How to pay on site?
• & Cash Cards: VISA and Mastercard cards are accepted in the shops of large cities, but the cash payments remain the majority in the countryside and in the valleys. Always plan a cash sum before going on a roadtrip or trek.
• Expert tip: To avoid banking transaction fees that accumulate quickly, we have been using a card for 5 years. BoursoBank. It's a free option, & Approved during all our stays in Central Asia!
> Internet / SIM card: Which solution to choose?
• Local Option (Economic): Buy a SIM card from O! or Megacom When you arrive at the airport. For about 500 soms (approx. 5€), you enjoy unlimited internet for 30 days.
• eSIM (Comfort & Rapidity) option: If you want to be connected from the moment you land without looking for a store, we recommend the SIM Saily. It is a digital card to activate via an app before your departure and also includes a 100% free VPN.
Good plan: Enjoy 15% reduction on all packages Saily with our code: between 2poles.
> What applications to download?
> What are the risks and what insurance coverage?
So, ready to come discover the World Nomad Games 2026 and Kyrgyzstan?
We will be present on this edition ourselves, again as accredited photographers and videographers. It will be a pleasure to meet you.
If you have questions, don't hesitate to contact us. You can also find our images on our account Instagram or our long format reports on our channel YouTube.
Hello ! Savez vous si, sur le même modèle que les JO, il y a possibilité d’être bénévole lors de l’événement ?
Merci à vous !
Hello Thibault
Alors pour le moment aucune information officielles sur ce sujet, mais ce qu’on peut te dire c’est qu’en 2024 sur Astana il était possible de postuler en tant que bénévoles, même pour les étrangers, même si nous n’avons pas eu écho des « conditions requises » pour être sélectionné, il y avait énormément de jeunes kazakhes volontaires et on imagine qu’avoir de bonnes bases en Anglais ou Russe sera un grand plus.
Dès que nous avons l’info nous ferons un petit point sur cet article c’est une bonne thématique 🙂
Tu seras au Kirghi du coup sur ces dates ?
Super ! Yes, je prevois de passer quelques mois vers Karakol et Tcholponata. Je serai super motivé pour participer en tant que bénévole à cet événement !
Hello Thibault
On espère que tu vas bien, nous venons de mettre à jour l’article, il semblerait que les demandes pour être bénévole sont ouvertes 🙂