World Nomad Games Kyrgyzstan 2026 — the main event of nomadic culture

Every few years Kyrgyzstan becomes the center of global tourism.
This is where the World Nomad Games (World Nomad Games Kyrgyzstan) take place — an international festival of traditional sport, culture and the heritage of the nomads of Central Asia.

This event unites dozens of countries, hundreds of athletes and thousands of travelers who come to see nomad sports in Kyrgyzstan and feel the atmosphere of the ancient Silk Road.

History of the World Nomad Games

The first festival was held in 2014 and quickly became a global event.
The main goal of the World Nomad Games is to preserve and promote the traditions of the nomads of Central Asia.

The Games show the world:

• the culture of nomadic civilization

• ancient warrior skills

• traditional sports and crafts

• the philosophy of nomadic life

Today the Nomad Games of Central Asia are among the most unique festivals in the world.

What sports will be featured at the 2026 Nomad Games

The festival includes dozens of disciplines. Below are the key sports that we will cover in a separate series of articles.

🐎 Nomadic horse games

The most spectacular part of the festival:

• kok boru (kok boru Kyrgyzstan)

• kokpar (kokpar Central Asia)

• baige — long-distance horse racing

• er enish — mounted wrestling

• kyz kuumai — horseback chase

These games demonstrate the core value of nomadic culture — the horse as the center of nomadic life.

🤼 National wrestling and strategy

Traditional competitions of strength and intellect:

• kyrgyz kurosh

• kazakh kures

• ordo — nomadic strategy game

• toguz korgool — nomadic chess

These disciplines show how traditional sports developed in Central Asia.

🏹 Hunting and warrior skills

The most atmospheric disciplines:

• salbuurun — eagle hunting

• horseback archery

• tyyn enmey — picking up a coin at full gallop

These are part of ancient nomadic warrior traditions and survival skills.

Why travelers come to the Nomad Games

The World Nomad Games Kyrgyzstan is more than sport.
It is the largest cultural and tourism festival in the region.

Visitors experience:

• yurt camps and nomadic lifestyle

• Kyrgyz national cuisine

• craft markets

• music, dance and festivals

• travel through the mountains and lakes of the Tien Shan

That is why the festival is often called a must-visit event in Central Asia.

Tours to the World Nomad Games with XTRAVEL.KG

The best way to see the Nomad Games 2026 is to visit Kyrgyzstan with a ready-made itinerary.

XTRAVEL.KG organizes tours to the World Nomad Games Kyrgyzstan, combining the festival with travel across the country.

Tour programs include:

• opening ceremony and main competitions

• accommodation in yurt camps

• trips through mountains and lakes

• exploring nomadic culture and cuisine

• accompanied by local guides

This is a chance to see the Nomad Games 2026 and discover the country at the same time.

Why you should plan your trip in advance

Interest in World Nomad Games tours in Kyrgyzstan grows every year.
Places are limited and the best routes are booked early.

Now is the perfect time to start planning your journey.

Start of a big article series

This article is the beginning of our Nomad Games guide.
Next, we will tell you in detail about each sport and festival tradition.