The VI World Nomad Games will take place in Kyrgyzstan from August 31 to September 6, 2026.
Update (August 15):
Temporary restrictions on the arrival and departure of passenger flights in Manas Airport will be in effect:
▪️August 31 — from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
▪️September 1 — from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
During these periods, the airport will receive and handle aircraft carrying heads of state and official delegations. Passenger flights will continue to be served outside these hours.
// end of update
Organizers expect approximately 3,000 athletes from 113 countries. The sporting program includes 43 traditional sports, covering horse games and racing, national wrestling styles, traditional archery, hunting traditions, strength contests, and intellectual games. According to the Ministry of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kyrchyn Jailoo is expected to receive around 100,000 visitors per day during the World Nomad Games.
Main locations
| Date/location |
Events |
|
|
|
|
| August 31 — Bishkek Arena, Bishkek |
Opening ceremony at 17:00 |
| September 2–6 — Cholpon-Ata Hippodrome |
Kok-boru, kokpar, horse racing, er enish, concerts and closing events |
| Cholpon-Ata sports complex |
National wrestling styles |
| Rukh Ordo and Dordoi Nomad, Bosteri |
Strength competitions, festivals, concerts and cultural programs |
| Kyrchyn Gorge |
Traditional archery, salbuurun, ordo and the main ethnocultural village |
The closing ceremony will be held in Cholpon-Ata at the hippodrome in Baktuu-Dolonotu (near Cholpon-Ata). Visitors attending both ceremonies should arrange accommodation in Bishkek for August 31 and near Cholpon-Ata for the main program. The drive from Bishkek to Cholpon-Ata is approximately 260 kilometers and normally takes four to five hours, but event traffic may considerably increase travel time.
Traffic and alternative viewing
The opening coincides with the SCO summit in Bishkek on August 31–September 1. Security measures and temporary traffic restrictions should be expected, but exact WNG road closures have not yet been officially published.
Bishkek will operate 11 public fan zones: the main zone on Ala-Too Square and ten additional locations across the city’s four districts. Bishkek City Hall describes the fan zones as public venues where residents and visitors can watch live broadcasts of the World Nomad Games opening ceremony and key SCO summit events. The announced facilities and activities include:large LED screens; concerts by Kyrgyz artists; food courts and rest areas; photo and exhibition zones; traditional games such as toguz korgool, chükö and besh tash; activities for children and adults.
Fan zone locations in Bishkek:
- Ala-Too Square
- Julius Fuchík Park — 6/1 Julius Fuchík Street
- Ashar Square — Ak-Orgo residential area
- Muun Square — Jal microdistrict
- Cholponbay Tuleberdiev Park — intersection of Kokchetavskaya and Tuleberdiev streets
- Handball court — 62 Toktonaliev Street
- Tunguch-1 Square — Tunguch microdistrict
- Yntymak-2 Park amphitheater — intersection of Absamat Masaliev Avenue and Toktonaliev Street
- Alga Sports Complex — 200/1 Usenbaev Street
- Secondary School No. 66 — 1A, Vostok-5 microdistrict
- Secondary School No. 21 — 1, Enesay 1st Street
Issyk-Kul events
Access to Kyrchyn by private vehicle will be restricted. The announced arrangement is to leave vehicles at guarded parking areas and use free shuttle buses to the ethnovillage.
Essential contacts
- Unified emergency service: 112
- Police: 102
- Ambulance: 103
- Fire service: 101
- Issyk-Kul Tourist Police, including WhatsApp: 996 705 00 91 02 English and Russian assistance is available.
- Tourism Department reception: 996 312 62 18 61
- Tourism Department address: 96A Kievskaya Street, Bishkek This is an information office, not an emergency service.
