ASportIndependent states
World Nomad Games
An international competition in the traditional sports of nomadic peoples, first held in Kyrgyzstan in 2014.
Held every two years, the first three games took place in 2014, 2016 and 2018 at Cholpon-Ata on Issyk-Kul, the fourth in İznik, Türkiye, in 2022 and the fifth in Astana in 2024; in 2026 they returned to Kyrgyzstan.
The programme includes kok-boru, horse races, kyz kuumai, alysh and other wrestling styles, toguz korgool, archery, falconry and hunting with tazy hounds, with thousands of athletes from nearly 100 countries.
Alongside the contests a yurt village, epic tellers and craftspeople showcase nomadic culture. In 2021 UNESCO added the World Nomad Games to its Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.
Sources
Updated: October 3, 2026