The World Nomad Games were founded in 2012 with the aim of preserving cultural diversity, keeping the traditions of Turkic peoples alive, and passing on the richness of nomadic culture to future generations. Organized primarily by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the World Ethnosport Confederation, the Games embrace a philosophy based on bringing nations and cultures closer together.

Held every two years, the World Nomad Games serve as an international platform where participating countries showcase their own traditions, cultures, and sports. In doing so, the event not only safeguards cultural heritage but also fosters friendship and cooperation among different nations.

Featuring traditional Turkic sports such as horseback archery, kok-boru, mangala, and wrestling, as well as modern sports, music, theater, and traditional dances, the World Nomad Games host a wide range of cultural performances. These events not only revive traditional sports but also showcase the richness of nomadic culture, offering unforgettable experiences to both participants and spectators.

Followed by major international media outlets such as BBC, CNN, Russia 1, and Al Jazeera, the Games have succeeded in reaching a vast global audience. They serve as a cornerstone in bringing together the Turkic World in the fields of ethnosport, ethnoculture, and ethnoscience, emphasizing unity and solidarity while playing a vital role in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples.

The first World Nomad Games were held in 2014 in Kyrgyzstan, followed by editions in 2016 and 2018 in Kyrgyzstan, 2022 in Türkiye, and 2024 in Kazakhstan. The next Games are scheduled to take place in 2026 in Kyrgyzstan.

On July 24 in Bishkek, Edil Baisalov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the World Nomad Games, announced the official launch of preparations for the 6th World Nomad Games, which will be held in 2026. Baisalov emphasized that the World Nomad Games have become a unique international platform for promoting ethnosports, preserving traditional culture, and strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties among peoples. In his speech, he stated:

“We are preparing for the Games with special attention. Next year, we will host a rich program of scientific, cultural, and sporting events. This will be a broad cycle aimed at promoting ethnic sports, folk art, and the historical heritage of nomadic civilizations. Invitations have been sent to nearly 100 countries to participate in the Games.”

He also highlighted that infrastructure preparations and international coordination are actively underway to ensure the success of the event.

The presentation meeting of the World Nomad Games, Kyrgyzstan’s international project in the fields of ethnosport, ethnoculture, and ethnoscience, was attended by Bekbosun Borubashov, Representative of the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Innovation of the Kyrgyz Republic; Askhat Akibaev, Head of the World Nomad Games Project and member of the Organizing Committee; Aybek Abdymomunov, Director of the State Agency for Physical Culture and Sports; as well as Mirbek Mambetaliev, Minister of Culture, Information and Youth Policy and Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 6th World Nomad Games.

Mambetaliev announced that the symbol of the 6th World Nomad Games will be “water”, noting that many foreign artists will be invited to the event, while other details would remain a secret for now.At the press conference, it was also stated that for the first time the opening and closing ceremonies will be held in Bishkek, while the competitions will take place in the Kyrchyn Plateau of Cholpon-Ata. On August 27, the official Instagram account of the World Nomad Games shared that, as part of the preparations for the 6th Games, meetings have begun with Bishkek Municipality and other institutions, and that promotional work, including video materials for the “Caravan of Unity” project which is an integral part of the Games has already been launched.

Bibliography

Бишкекте 2026-жылкы VI Дүйнөлүк көчмөндөр оюндарынын презентациясы өттү, Кыргыз Республикасынын Министрлер Кабинети, https://www.gov.kg/ky/post/s/25475-biskekte-2026-zylky-vi-duinoluk-kocmondor-oyundarynyn-prezentaciyasy-ottu, 29.08.2025.

Final Match in Kok Boru. Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan (Photographer, A.Kolosov) https://worldnomadgames.com/en/galleries/?page=1&gallery=Final-Match-in-Kok-Boru-Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan-photographer-A-Kolosov, 29.08.2025.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, https://www.gov.kz/memleket, 29.08.2025.

5th World Nomad Games, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, https://www.gov.kz/memleket, 29.08.2025.

VI Дүйнөлүк көчмөндөр оюндарынын уюштуруу комитети расмий маалымат жыйын өткөрдү, https://eltr.kg/vi-d%d2%afjn%d3%a9l%d2%afk-k%d3%a9chm%d3%a9nd%d3%a9r-oyundarynyn-uyushturuu-komiteti-rasmij-maalymat-zhyjyn-%d3%a9tk%d3%a9rd%d2%af/, 29.08.2025.