VI World Nomad Games

VI Всемирные игры кочевников

View on map
Sports & AdventureBishkek/Cholpon-Ata
Dates31 August 2026Confirmed listing
Duration1 dayListed event span
CrowdVery LargeAbout 500,000 people
Best forCompetition, enduranceThe Kyrchyn Gorge ethno-village is the part
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: KGS
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

VI World Nomad Games in Bishkek/Cholpon-Ata

Kyrgyzstan's flagship international event, first held in Cholpon-Ata in 2014, gathers athletes from dozens of countries for kok-boru, horseback wrestling, archery, and eagle hunting. Competitions split between the lakeside hippodrome at Cholpon-Ata and the mountain jailoo of Kyrchyn Gorge, where yurt camps, felt-making, and epic recitation turn the games into a full immersion in steppe nomadic culture.

Kyrgyzstan invented a new kind of global sporting event when it staged the first World Nomad Games on the shores of Issyk-Kul in September 2014, drawing more than 400 athletes from twenty countries to compete in horseback wrestling, mounted archery, kok-boru, and dozens of other sports rooted in Central Asian steppe life.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The Kyrchyn Gorge ethno-village is the part visitors remember longest: hundreds of yurts pitched by delegations from different regions and countries, each one competing informally for the best felt interior, the best komuz playing, the best cauldron of besh barmak

02

The mystery stays covered

Below in Cholpon-Ata, the hippodrome hosts kok-boru, where riders wrestle a goat carcass toward a goal on horseback at full gallop, alongside archery from horseback and the quieter tabletop game ordo

03

The city starts moving

Falconers display golden eagles between events

04

The water draws everyone in

Night markets sell felt slippers, leather whips, and horsehair jewelry, and impromptu music circles form around any komuz player willing to perform

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Kok-boru (goat-carcass horseback game)

Water and renewal

Living ritual

er enish horseback wrestling

The sacred route

Living ritual

mounted archery

The local code

Living ritual

eagle falconry displays

Tradition 5

Living ritual

ordo stone-tossing

Tradition 6

Living ritual

komuz music and manaschi epic recitation

Tradition 7

Living ritual

yurt-building demonstrations

Tradition 8

Living ritual

and felt-carpet craft fairs

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

31 August 2026

Getting around

For route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Bishkek/Cholpon-Ata to work differently.

What to wear

Light layers for hot midday sun and cool evenings, sturdy closed shoes for gravel and grass, a hat and strong sunscreen, and a warm layer for the Kyrchyn highlands after dark.

Safety

VI World Nomad Games is easier when spectators give competitors, vehicles and staff room to work.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after VI World Nomad Games does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

KGS

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map42.87 N, 74.59 EOpen in Google Maps

Bishkek/Cholpon-Ata, Bishkek/Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan

Nearest airportBSZ — Manas
TransportFor route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Bishkek/Cholpon-Ata to work differently.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after VI World Nomad Games does not become the hardest part.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Bishkek/Cholpon-Ata via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Bishkek/Cholpon-Ata, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearLight layers for hot midday sun and cool evenings, sturdy closed shoes for gravel and grass, a hat and strong sunscreen, and a warm layer for the Kyrchyn highlands after dark.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Kyrgyzstan and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is VI World Nomad Games?

VI World Nomad Games is listed for 31 August 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does VI World Nomad Games take place?

The festival is listed in Bishkek/Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Bishkek/Cholpon-Ata, Bishkek/Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan

How big is it?

Very Large: 500000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLworldnomadgames.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates31 August 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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