FISU World University Games
Debuting as the World University Games in 1923 in Paris, France, the precursor event was held in Europe every two years until 1939. The event was revived in 1947 – two years before the founding of FISU–and returned as the ‘Universiade’ in Turin, Italy, in 1959. As part of the relaunch, the ‘U’ shape of the FISU flag and the song ‘Gaudeamus Igitur’, which is played at the award ceremonies instead of the national anthem, were introduced. Since then, the multi-sport event has been held every two years (in odd-numbered years), with both summer and winter editions. The most important competition in international university sport, the Universiade became known as the ‘FISU World University Games’ in 2020.
The FISU Games are open to students aged 18 to 25 who have been nominated by their national university sports federations. Participants include both up-and-coming student-athletes and established top athletes, many of whom already have world championship and Olympic Games appearances – and medals–to their name.
The summer edition of the FISU World University Games comprises 15 compulsory sports: archery, artistic gymnastics, athletics, badminton, basketball, diving, fencing, judo, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, and water polo. The optional sports 3×3 basketball, 3×3 wheelchair basketball, beach volleyball and rowing complete the programme of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games.
Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games
From 16 to 27 July 2025, the Rhine-Ruhr region plus Berlin will be the stage for one of the greatest sporting shows on earth, as over 8,500 student-athletes and officials from up to 150 countries come together for the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. With medals to be won in 18 sports, the action will be shared among the cities of Bochum, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Duisburg and Essen, plus Hagen and Berlin.
Beyond the 23 competition venues, there will be plenty more to see and experience. Because this will be a sporting event with a festival vibe, reaching out to a diverse audience through an extensive programme of artistic, cultural, and educational opportunities. As our slogan says, ‘Alle spielen mit’ (everybody is all-in). And for 12 glorious days in the summer of 2025, there really will be something for everyone to enjoy.