World Nomad Games 2026

Wondering when and where the next World Nomad Games will be? The 6th World Nomad Games will take place in Kyrgyzstan in 2026, with further details to be announced later.

What is World Nomad Games: A Unique Celebration of Nomadic Culture

Thousands of years ago, a division emerged between nomads and farmers. The Kyrgyz people embraced a nomadic lifestyle, moving with their herds from one pasture to another, spending summers in the mountains and winters in the valleys. This way of life was reflected in their daily traditions and forms of entertainment. While visitors could witness these traditions at various ethno festivals, the best way to experience the full depth of nomadic culture was by attending the World Nomad Games.

History of the World Nomad Games

The World Nomad Games were first held in 2014 and took place every two years, bringing together athletes, artists, craftsmen, and visitors from around the world. Over the years, delegations from nearly every continent – except Antarctica – participated, including teams from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, China, Russia, Turkey, and the United States. The competitions featured traditional sports that had been practiced for centuries, including horse racing, wrestling, hunting with birds of prey, and strategic board games.

Key Competitions

Over the years, the World Nomad Games became a platform for a wide range of traditional competitions, including:

• Kok-Boru & Er Enish (horseback games)
• Wrestling (various traditional styles, including mas-wrestling)
• Hunting (Salbuurun) (eagle hunting and dog racing)
• Horse Racing (various disciplines)
• Intellectual Games (mangala and other strategy-based board games)

Wrestling consistently attracted the largest number of participants. Athletes competed in traditional wrestling styles from Central Asia, as well as mas-wrestling, in which opponents struggled to wrest a wooden stick from each other’s grip. Intellectual games, such as mangala, tested players’ ability to think strategically.

The hunting competitions (Salbuurun) showcased the skill and agility of hunting birds and sighthounds, which competed to catch a dummy target.

However, the horse games remained the most anticipated events. In Er Enish, competitors engaged in wrestling matches while on horseback, while in Cirit, riders attempted to strike their opponents with blunt javelins.

The most popular and thrilling sport was Kok-Boru, a high-intensity game where teams of riders fought for control of a goat carcass, aiming to score points by carrying it to their opponent’s goal. The game drew thousands of enthusiastic spectators, and in 2016, an American cowboy team became a crowd favorite.

Cultural Program

The World Nomad Games were not just about sports. A major highlight was the yurt village in Kyrchyn Gorge, where hundreds of yurts from different regions of Kyrgyzstan were set up. The village hosted daily cultural performances, storytelling, improvisational contests, and displays of equestrian stunts.

Visitors could also enjoy traditional culinary competitions, where participants competed to prepare the best local dishes, and contests to see who could assemble a yurt the fastest. The yurt village provided a welcoming space where guests could experience Kyrgyz hospitality, taste authentic national cuisine, and purchase handcrafted items from skilled artisans.

World Nomad Games Around the World

The first three editions of the World Nomad Games (2014, 2016, and 2018) were held in Kyrgyzstan, where they gained international recognition and grew in scale with each event. The games attracted thousands of spectators and participants, establishing Kyrgyzstan as the heart of this global nomadic festival.

In 2022, the IV World Nomad Games were held in Iznik, Turkey, marking the first time the event took place outside of Kyrgyzstan. The historic city of Iznik, located on the shores of a picturesque lake, provided a stunning backdrop for the games. This edition brought together over 3,000 athletes from more than 100 countries, competing in 40 traditional sports. Turkey, with its deep-rooted Turkic and nomadic heritage, successfully hosted the games, further expanding their global appeal and reinforcing cultural ties between nomadic communities worldwide.

In 2024, the V World Nomad Games were held in Kazakhstan, bringing the prestigious event to Central Asia once again. Hosted in the Turkistan region, a place rich in history and nomadic traditions, the games showcased Kazakhstan’s deep cultural heritage. Thousands of athletes from around the world participated, competing in traditional sports such as Kok-Boru, Er Enish, and Salbuurun. With its vast steppes and strong equestrian culture, Kazakhstan provided the perfect setting for the games, further strengthening the legacy of this global celebration of nomadic life.

The decision to hold the 2026 World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan marks a return to the event’s birthplace, promising an even greater celebration of nomadic traditions. Each host country adds its own unique elements to the games, but the core mission remains the same – preserving and showcasing the rich heritage of nomadic peoples.

The Legacy of the World Nomad Games

The World Nomad Games left a lasting impact, helping to revive and preserve ancient traditions while bringing global attention to the nomadic way of life. The event became an important cultural and sporting gathering, offering participants and spectators a unique opportunity to engage with the heritage of nomadic peoples.

Each edition of the games was a grand celebration, uniting nations, athletes, and cultural enthusiasts in an unforgettable experience that could not be found anywhere else in the world.

Plan Your Trip to the 2026 World Nomad Games

As Kyrgyzstan prepares to host the VI World Nomad Games in 2026, excitement is already building for what promises to be a spectacular celebration of nomadic culture, sports, and traditions. The full program and event details will be announced later, so stay tuned for updates!

Whether you are a sports enthusiast, a culture lover, or an adventurous traveler, the World Nomad Games 2026 will be an unmissable experience. Start planning your trip now to witness the energy of Kok-Boru matches, the skill of Salbuurun hunters, and the beauty of Kyrgyz traditions firsthand. Get ready to immerse yourself in the nomadic way of life and be part of a truly unique global event!