PGL decided to run a ticket giveaway for PGL Astana 2026 in collaboration with Games Of Future (Игры будущего). Formally, it may look like a regular promotional activity, however the “Games of the Future” project itself is part of Russia’s state-backed strategy to promote its image through technology, sports, and media.
In 2024, the event was held in Kazan, where putin personally appeared at the opening ceremony. The tournament is positioned as a Russian “phygital” project and has long been viewed as an element of the Kremlin’s soft power strategy through esports, technology, and international events.
In 2025, the tournament was hosted in Abu Dhabi, while in 2026 it moved to Astana. However, the core concept and its connection to the Russian state narrative have not changed.
Against this backdrop, cooperation between international tournament organizer PGL and such a project raises questions, especially during Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. Even if it is “just” a ticket giveaway, the partnership can be perceived as the normalization of cooperation with a structure tied to Russian state narratives.
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