Russia's First Phygital Sports Center to Launch in Primorsky Krai by Late 2023

A new phygital sports center is set to open in Knevichi, Primorsky Krai, by the end of 2023. The facility will blend virtual and physical competitions, offering athletes a hybrid training and tournament space. Construction is already underway, with federal funding supporting the project. The center is being built at 2 Aviatsionnaya Street as part of Russia’s federal Business Sprint initiative, led by the Ministry of Sports. A total of 95 million rubles from the federal budget has been allocated for its development. Unlike traditional construction, the facility is assembled from modular units, avoiding the need for a full capital build.

The foundation slab has been laid, and crews are now installing utilities and improving the surrounding area. Once complete, the center will feature high-performance computers, specialised software, and VR stations for hybrid competitions. These tools will support phygital tournaments in football, basketball, and other sports. Primorsky Krai already has experience in this field, having hosted international phygital hockey events at Far Eastern Federal University. The upcoming center will expand these capabilities, offering a dedicated space for both training and competitions. B2G Bilain Business, the company behind the project, secured tenders to build three such centers across Russia. Alongside Knevichi, similar facilities are planned for Kaliningrad and Strezhevoi in Tomsk Oblast. The Knevichi center is expected to open in October or November.

The new facility will provide athletes with advanced tools for hybrid sports, combining digital simulations with physical play. After its launch, the center will host phygital football and basketball tournaments, further establishing Primorsky Krai as a hub for innovative sports competitions.