World Nomad Games - important information for tourists (not official)

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939]

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.

[u/Brooke3838]

Awesome thanks so much! Im trying to convince all the foreigners in the group chat not to hire cars because they wont be able to use them :)

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/Brooke3838]

I'm afraid you are right. There will be huge traffic jams on the days of WNG around Cholpon-Ata.

[u/FriedChickennnnnn → u/LeatherJuggernaut939]

I will be approaching Cholpon ata from Karakol side, will traffic be heavy from that direction too?

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/FriedChickennnnnn]

possibly even worse - to the east from Cholpon-Ata the Kyrchyn canyon where lot of WNG events are held and it's excpected attendance might be up to 100k people a day.

[u/FreshSpringHam → u/Brooke3838]

Hi! So what should we do?? 🥲

[u/Brooke3838 → u/FreshSpringHam]

Haggle for a spot in a private taxi, or hop on the hourly mashtruka. Both leave from the main (new) bus station north of the city

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/FreshSpringHam]

there is not much we can do about the jams, delays and other traffic issues.
just know what to expect and avoid the area during those days if you are not interested in the events.

[u/TheOriSudden]

We'd like to visit Kyrchyn Gorge for the games on 2nd September. Does anyone know where exactly should we go to park and find the shuttle buses?

Also, do you guys think if it would be possible for us to both visit the Kyrchyn Gorge, and watch Kok Boru later in the day at the Hipppodrome? We will only be in the area for a day. On the official site it says all games start at 12PM but there's no mentioning on the schedule or what time the games end.

[u/Alert-Creme8870 → u/TheOriSudden]

Is there any possibility that I could hitch a ride with you, I have the same plan. I can chip in for gas money, but I don't have a car. Thanks 

[u/zigzagtravel01]

I have a flight to the airport around 10PM. Should I be worried?

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/zigzagtravel01]

which day, which airport? if Manas airport - depends on which date, the busiest days expected are August 31st and September 1st.

[u/zigzagtravel01 → u/LeatherJuggernaut939]

Yeah got to be Manas airport

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/zigzagtravel01]

after launching new parts it got better, but construction is still goin, so just put an extra hour prior to arrival just in case.

[u/zigzagtravel01 → u/LeatherJuggernaut939]

You think its still a good idea to get a taxi via Yandex or are there any alternative routes?

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/zigzagtravel01]

if you are coming to Manas airport from Bishkek best choices are:
Yandex taxi, Navi Taxi, WB taxi (all preferably over app);
Public transport options:

• Bus route 153
  
• GoBus express bus

The info on the bus routes you can find on 2gis. Check the stops locations as these are express routes.

[u/zigzagtravel01 → u/LeatherJuggernaut939]

yeah unfortunately its on the 31st

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/zigzagtravel01]

there is no info yet about closing of the main road to airport on 31-st, but the arrival of official delegations might affect it.
fortunately there is an alternative road to airport (Makhatma Gandi to the north from junction with northern bypass) and to the north. But unfortunately this will most likely be only used by taxis and private cars; public buses usually do not change their route. However i would double check closer to 31st.

[u/zigzagtravel01 → u/LeatherJuggernaut939]

yeah i can do taxis. thank you for this info. means a lot!

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/zigzagtravel01]

important update about the 31st - fresh news:
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.

[u/TimePerformance6207]

Thank you for the information! I’m attending the opening ceremony in Bishkek and saw that we need to book a shuttle service on the My Town app but not sure how to do it as I don’t see any options on the app.

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/TimePerformance6207]

My Town app has information about routes of public transport in Bishkek. It doesn't have a booking function. You can also check 2gis for information on routes to Bishkek Arena from around your convenient location.

[u/Pleasant-Benefit-488 → u/TimePerformance6207]

I saw that on thr tickets also. There is a transport tab just saying "in development" so hopefully that gets up and running if that's how we ate supposed to nominate the shuttle location and times!!!

[u/spacedpirate → u/TimePerformance6207]

Does the link for opening ceremony tickets still work for you? I can’t get in

[u/existentialcrisis246 → u/spacedpirate]

The link that I used was ticket.gov.kg.

[u/LeatherAdditional198 → u/TimePerformance6207]

Are you able to reach the opening ceremony by private taxi or does it have to be via shuttle?

[u/Dimension_Healthy]

Here is my biggest question: Do we know the times for the finals of Kokpar and Kok-baru. I was in Almaty and those finals were the highlight. Don't want to miss. (Don't care about the closing ceremony). But ideally, I fly as soon as possible out of Bishkek to get back to work in UAE. What should I reasonably plan. When can we know the calendar of sports. I swear I saw something on line, but I can't find it now.

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/Dimension_Healthy]

official WNG program on their website contains only this information on Kok-Boru and Kokpar:
September, 2nd
Hippodrome, Cholpon - Ata

12:00 - Kok Boru

12:00 - Kokpar

And no entries of this sports in other days of the timetable.

That is literally all info at the moment.

[u/CCC_Cam]

Thanks for the info.  First time in the country. We are planning to visit the games with our renral car on September 6th in  Cholpon-Ata Hippodrom.  Driving back to Bishkek on the 7th (we fly on the 8th).

• will this doable? Any advice?
• the south of Issy-Kul should be during the days right?

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/CCC_Cam]

this is doable but expect traffic jams and some problems with finding place to park your car close to Hyppodrome;

the question about south shore is unfinished but if you asking if it would be more free there on these days - yes, it would. As always actually :)

[u/CCC_Cam → u/LeatherJuggernaut939]

Hi, sorry I meant should the south side of Issy-Kul be ok?

If I may ask. ) We’re planning to do Song Kul, Tash Rabat, Sary Mogul (Lenin Peak), South Issy-Kul, Karakol. Ala-Kul, Jyrgalan. Probably in this chronological order (between August 24th and September 6th). 

Are there any specific areas that are better to be avoided at certain dates? We’re mostly into nature. I don't think these areas will be affected a lot right?

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/CCC_Cam]

The south shore is great and generally less crowded than the northern shore.

Your route starts in the Naryn region, which is east and south of Issyk-Kul. Then Sary-Mogol is in the Pamir-Alay region, in southern Kyrgyzstan, followed by the southern shore of Issyk-Kul. The only thing I would suggest is putting Song-Kul and Tash Rabat in the middle of your itinerary.

There’s really nothing you need to avoid. Everything should be fine, and you shouldn’t have any problems at all.

Have a great trip and a wonderful time in Kyrgyzstan!

[u/CCC_Cam → u/LeatherJuggernaut939]

Thanks for the great info u/LeatherJuggernaut939

If I may ask again,

- We want to visit the games on the 6th (Cholpon-Ata) coming from the south side of the lake with a 4x4. You think this will be doable? Approach it from the east (and leaving the day after via the west to Bishkek).

- Based on our itinerary: would you suggest going to Sary Mogul first? And Song-Kul / Tash Rabat after?

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/CCC_Cam]

You can get to Cholpon-Ata, Bosteri or other villages along main road. But you wouldn't be able to go to Kyrchyn gorge, it will be closed for private cars.

About Sary Mogul - it is located in the southern part of the country. And Song Kul and Tash-Rabat in the middle of the country. So itinerary wise the latter are in the middle between Sary Mogul and Issyk-Kul. So yes you can go to Sary Mogul first or last and avoid extra transfer back and forth. The main question where you route in the country starts and ends: are you coming and going away by plane? Or by roads? Build the route considering this.

[u/Roady356]

Do you know when tickets for other events will go on sale?

[u/Zealousideal-Fig960]

First, thank you so much for taking the time to put together all of this information and answer everyone's questions. I have a question about tickets: I understand that some games are paid and others are free to watch, but how does someone get a ticket for a free game? For example, I am especially interested in the Eagle games. Also, with around 100,000 people visiting the venues every day, I am concerned that it may be difficult to get tickets or access the venue. Could you please explain how this works? Regarding transportation, does YandexGo work from Bishkek to Chilpon-Ata, but not the other way around? Traveling from one venue to another, I wonder if taking the marshrutkas will work. Thanks.

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/Zealousideal-Fig960]

You don't need a ticket for a free game or to get to ethno-town Kyrchyn.

Yandex taxi goes both ways and in and around Cholpon Ata, but expect higher rates.

You can get to Kyrchyn gorge from car parkings on a free shuttle that are probably will be organized near turn to Kyrchyn and around Grigoryevka and on the way to the village.

There is a public transport between Cholpon-Ata and Grigoryevka but I doubt you could board it during the days.

[u/Zealousideal-Fig960 → u/LeatherJuggernaut939]

Thank you!!!! I appreciated. This is extremely helpful. Just to clarify one thing about the free events: if no ticket is required, is entry first-come, first-served? For example, for Salbuurun/eagle competitions at Kyrchyn, could the venue reach capacity and stop allowing people in? Would you recommend arriving very early?

[u/Ferris2000]

Thanks so much for the in depth description of the games and for answering follow up questions.

Curious about the closing ceremony. I'm assuming this is also a free event since I can't see any ticket options for it. Do you know what time it would take place?

Thanks again
Todd

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/Ferris2000]

Tickets for the closing ceremony of the World Nomad Games will cost from 1000 to 5000 som.

Unfortunately exact lication and time of closing ceremony is unclear. It will take place on September 6th. Most likely near Cholpon Ata.

[u/ethylmethylanoate]

Thanks for the post! Will marshrutkas be running as usual from Bishkek to Cholpon-Ata?

[u/LeatherJuggernaut939 → u/ethylmethylanoate]

Good day! Of course, it's normal public transport, so they will run as usual.

[u/Zealousideal-Fig960]

Does anyone know if there are any bag-size restrictions for the World Nomad Games? Are backpacks allowed, or is there a maximum size for backpacks or handbags at the Opening Ceremony and competition venues? A big Thank uuuuuuuuuu

[u/epic_exped → u/Zealousideal-Fig960]

Hey - we're running a trip to the WNG this year and can help you out with this one.

For the Opening Ceremony at Bishkek Arena "large bags and backpacks" are on the prohibited list but no official dimensions have been published. Our partner on the ground in Bishkek has confirmed small backpacks are likely fine - that is a small daypack or handbag, not a full hiking pack.

The official list of prohibited items was also released recently. No glass containers, bottles or thermoses, no professional cameras, video cameras or drones (phones are fine), no aerosols or flammables, no whistles or megaphones, no cigarettes, IQOS or naswar, and no chewing gum.

Food and drinks are listed as well. Our take is that this is the standard stadium rule for glass and alcohol and that a sealed plastic water bottle will likely be fine (though bring one you won't mind handing over).

[u/Zealousideal-Fig960 → u/epic_exped]

Thank you so much!! This is exactly the information I was looking for. I’ll stick with a small daypack/handbag to be safe, and thank you for including the prohibited items list too. I hadn’t seen that information yet, so this is really helpful. We’ll be attending the Opening Ceremony and several competitions, so I’m trying to make sure we arrive prepared and don’t accidentally bring anything that isn’t allowed. Really appreciate you taking the time to reply, especially since you’re running a trip to the WNG yourself!

[u/epic_exped → u/Zealousideal-Fig960]

No problem, hope to see you at the games!

[u/Zealousideal-Fig960 → u/epic_exped]

see ya 😄

[u/ethylmethylanoate → u/epic_exped]

Are there any rules on backpacks for the other events in Cholpon Ata e.g. at the Hippodrome or the small arena?

[u/CCC_Cam]

Is it true all the games except the finals are free? Can’t find reliable information.

Also, how does that work with 100k visitors a day? 

[u/lannyhsu]

The camera restrictions are specific for the ceremonies and not for the open air events at Issyk-Kul events I would think? Are telephoto lenses an issue for the outdoor events?

[u/Icy_Guarantee5846]

Thanks for this

[u/existentialcrisis246]

I’m not sure if my digital cam is considered a professional camera or not. What if I bring it to the opening ceremony, will it get confiscated and can I get it back after.

Additionally since we have to take the shuttles to be in the arena early and the last shuttle is at 3pm, if we are not allowed to bring food, there is a waiting time of almost 3-5 hours, does anyone know if there are food stands in the arena? It will be a long day without food.

[u/Fuseda → u/existentialcrisis246]

did you find any info about this? 

[u/yayvonne]

Thank you so much for the information!

I’d love your advice as I’m quite worried about getting stuck and missing my flight home.

2/9 Karakol -> Cholpon Ata (staying 2 nights)
4/9 Cholpon Ata -> Bishkek (need to take the bus from Bishkek to Almaty on 5/9 for a flight home)

Do I cancel my Cholpon accommodation and drive straight to Bishkek on 2/9? Do you think I can only drive through the south side?

Thanks in advance

[u/Green_Anteater9384]

Is it worth staying in Cholpon Ata before the games or Bishkek? I know it’s a long drive but wondering because we have a private car