2025 World Games
Multi-sport event in Chengdu, China
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The 2025 World Games (2025年世界运动会), also known as Chengdu 2025, were an international multi-sport event held from 7–17 August in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, with preliminary competition in some events beginning on 6 August. They were the 12th World Games, a multi-sport event featuring disciplines of Olympic sports and other competitions that are not currently contested at the Olympic Games.
| |
| Host city | Chengdu, China |
|---|---|
| Motto | 运动无限，气象万千 (Boundless Sports, Countless Wonders)[1][2] |
| Nations | 118 |
| Athletes | 3,693 |
| Events | 256 in 34 sports |
| Opening | 7 August 2025 |
| Closing | 17 August 2025 |
| Opened by | Shen Yiqin State Councillor of China |
| Torch lighter | Xu Lu Alu Xiaobo |
| Ceremony venue | Tianfu International Convention Centre (opening ceremony)[3][4] World Horticultural Expo Park (closing ceremony)[3] |
| Website | theworldgames2025.com |
It marked the first time that the World Games were hosted in the People's Republic of China, and marked the return to a four-year cycle after the 2021 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama were delayed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bidding process
Luo Qiang, Mayor of Chengdu, signed the Organiser Agreement for TWG 2025, with the Vice President of IOC and the Chinese Olympic Committee as witness. President José Perurena signed on behalf of the International World Games Association (IWGA).[5]
Development and preparations
Venues
On 21 May 2024, the International World Games Association announced venues for the 2025 World Games.[6] Some of the venues selected were also used during the 2021 Summer World University Games, also held in Chengdu.
Longquanyi District
| Venue | Events | Capacity | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dong'an Lake Sports Park | Athletics Field | Air sports | 1,000 | Existing |
| Central Square | Tug of war | TBA | Temporary | |
| Gymnasium | Cheerleading | 18,000 | Existing | |
| Gymnastics (Acrobatic, Aerobic, Trampolining) | ||||
| Qinglong Lake | Archery | 619 | Temporary | |
| Longquan High School Gymnasium | Korfball (indoor) | TBA | Existing | |
| Chengdu Sport University Sancha Lake Campus | Athletics Field | Flying disc (Ultimate) | 9,800 | |
| Outdoor Courts | Boules sports | 480 | ||
| Natatorium | Lifesaving | 1,398 | ||
| Underwater sports (Finswimming, Freediving) | ||||
Eastern New Area
| Venue | Events | Capacity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu World Horticultural Expo Park Chengdu International Friendship Pavilion[3] | Closing ceremony | TBA | Existing |
| Chengdu No. 7 High School Eastern Campus Athletics Field | Flag football | 1,441 | |
| Lacrosse | |||
| Eastern New Area Orienteering Venue | Orienteering | TBA | Temporary |
Tianfu New Area
| Venue | Events | Capacity | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tianfu International Convention Centre Tianfu Eaves[3][4] | Opening ceremony | 9,000 | Temporary | |
| Tianfu Park | Fistball | TBA | ||
| Sport climbing | TBA | |||
| Xinglong Lake | Beach Arena | Beach handball | TBA | |
| Korfball (Beach) | TBA | |||
| Hubin | Canoe sports (Canoe marathon, Dragon boat) | 288 | ||
| Duathlon | 775 | |||
| Gymnastics (Parkour) | 757 | |||
| Civil Aviation Flight University of China Tianfu Campus Gymnasium | Billiard sports (Carrom, Pool, Snooker) | 4,418 | Existing | |
| Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre | Gymnasium | Powerlifting | 12,133 | |
| Wushu | ||||
| Public Fitness Gymnasium | Racquetball | TBA | ||
| Squash | ||||
| Guixi Park | Flying disc (Disc Golf) | TBA | Temporary | |
Wuhou District
| Venue | Events | Capacity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sichuan Provincial Gymnasium | Kickboxing | 7,000 | Existing |
| Muaythai |
Xindu District
| Venue | Events | Capacity | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu Roller Sports Centre | Roller sports | 681 | New | |
| Liaojiawan Shuyue Park | 497 | Temporary | ||
| Xindu Xiangcheng Sports Centre | Gymnasium | Floorball | 3,164 | Existing |
| Better City Softball Arena | Softball | 940 | ||
Jianyang
| Venue | Events | Capacity | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sancha Lake | Ma'anshan Arena | Powerboating | 329 | Temporary |
| Wakeboarding (Wake Surf Skim, Wakeboard Freestyle) | ||||
| Taohuadao Arena | Wakeboarding (Cable Wakeboard) | 39 | ||
| Jianyang Cultural and Sports Centre | Gymnasium | Ju-jitsu | 4,500 | Existing |
| Karate | ||||
| Sambo | ||||
| Natatorium | Canoe sports (Canoe polo) | 3,000 | ||
Jinniu District
| Venue | Events | Capacity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chengbei Gymnasium | Dancesport | 2,500 | Existing |
Torch relay
For the first time in World Games history, a torch relay was held. The torch was revealed on 27 February 2025. Named Zhumeng, and designed by Feng Benyuan (who was one of the designers for the mascot of the 2022 Winter Paralympics) and Wang Anxu of the Jilin University of Arts, its design blends artistic forms, symbolic colors and cultural motifs in a style that reflects the spirit of the World Games and the heritage of the host nation.[7]
On 21 July 2025, the organising committee announced that the torch relay would start on 26 July at the Sanxingdui Museum, and would travel through Chengdu, and neighboring cities Deyang and Meishan, and would visit several landmarks in the area; the Jinsha site, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Wuhou Shrine, San Su Shrine and Xinglong Lake Wetland Park. Around 120 torchbearers participated.[8]
The Games
Qualification
Sports
34 sports, comprising 60 disciplines and 256 medal events, had been chosen for the 2025 World Games.[9] For the first time, powerboating and cheerleading were represented at The World Games. In the sector of para sports, para freediving and para ju-jitsu made their debut.[10] Three sports which had been in all previous editions of The World Games were dropped from the 2025 program: bowling, water-skiing, and artistic roller skating. Esports were also showcased as part of a partnership between the IWGA and the Global Esports Federation.[11] Sumo, which originally debuted in 2001, was dropped as a consequence of unsportsmanlike conduct during competition at the 2022 World Games.[12][13][14][15]
Air sports (1) T
Archery (7) P
Beach handball (2) B- Billiard sports (7)
Boules sports (6) P- Canoe sports (12)
Canoe marathon (4) T
Canoe polo (2) B
Dragon boat (6) T
Cheerleading (1) AD
Dancesport (4) AD
Duathlon (3) T
Fistball (2) B
Flag football (1) B
Floorball (2) B
Flying disc (2) T- Gymnastics
Acrobatic gymnastics (5) AD
Aerobic gymnastics (4) AD
Parkour (4) AD
Trampoline gymnastics (6) AD
Ju-jitsu (19) M
Karate (12) M
Kickboxing (12) M
Korfball (2) B
Lacrosse (1) B
Lifesaving (16) T
Muaythai (6) M
Orienteering (5) T
Powerboating (3) T
Powerlifting (16) S
Racquetball (3) B- Roller sports (23)
Freestyle inline skating (4) T
Inline hockey (1) B
Road speed skating (8) T- Track speed skating (10) T
Sambo (11) M
Softball (2) B
Sport climbing (6) T
Squash (2) B
Tug of war (3) S- Underwater sports
Finswimming (16) T
Freediving (9) T
Wakeboarding (6) T
Wushu (12) M
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- Notes[a 1]
- AD: Artistic and Dance sports (8)
- B: Ball sports (11)
- M: Martial arts (6)
- P: Precision sports (3)
- S: Strength sports (2)
- T: Trend sports (16)
Participants
As part of the IWGA's new "Growth Beyond Excellence" strategies, the athlete quota (including athletes and technical officials) for the sports program of the 2025 World Games and onwards was increased from 4,200 to 5,000. 4,000 participants are proposed by the IWGA Member Federations; while the remaining 1,000 participants consists of disciplines in consultation with the organizing committee, disciplines in determination with the International Olympic Committee's consultation and para disciplines which will be determined through consultation with the International Paralympic Committee.[5]
Russia and Belarus were barred from taking part in the World Games due to their role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Instead, athletes from the two countries competed as independents, provided that the individual international sports federations allow their participation.[17]
Calendar
On 21 May 2024, the International World Games Association announced dates for the 2025 World Games.[6][19]
- All times and dates use China Standard Time (UTC+8)
| OC | Opening ceremony | ● | Event competitions | 1 | Event finals | CC | Closing ceremony |
| Event/Date | August 2025 | Events | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Wed |
7 Thu |
8 Fri |
9 Sat |
10 Sun |
11 Mon |
12 Tue |
13 Wed |
14 Thu |
15 Fri |
16 Sat |
17 Sun | |||
| Ceremonies | OC | CC | ||||||||||||
| Air sports | Drone racing | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| American football | Flag football | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| Archery | ● | 1 | 2 | ● | ● | 2 | ● | ● | 2 | 7 | ||||
| Softball | ● | ● | ● | ● | 1 | ● | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 2 | |||
| Billiard sports | ||||||||||||||
| Carom | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
| Pool | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||
| Snooker | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
| Boules sports | ● | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |||||||||
| Canoe sports | ||||||||||||||
| Canoe marathon | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||
| Canoe polo | ● | ● | ● | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| Dragon boat | 1 | 5 | 6 | |||||||||||
| Cheerleading | Pom | ● | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Dancesport | 1 | 1 | ● | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
| Duathlon | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Fistball | ● | ● | ● | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| Floorball | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Flying disc | ||||||||||||||
| Disc golf | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Ultimate | ● | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| Gymnastics | ||||||||||||||
| Acrobatic gymnastics | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||||
| Aerobic gymnastics | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||
| Parkour | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||
| Trampoline gymnastics | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||
| Beach handball | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 2 | 2 | |||||||
| Ju-jitsu | 7 | 7 | 5 | 19 | ||||||||||
| Karate | 6 | 6 | 12 | |||||||||||
| Kickboxing | ● | ● | 12 | 12 | ||||||||||
| Korfball | ● | ● | ● | ● | 1 | ● | ● | 1 | 2 | |||||
| Lacrosse | Lacrosse Sixes | ● | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Lifesaving | 8 | 8 | 16 | |||||||||||
| Muaythai | ● | ● | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||
| Orienteering | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||||
| Powerboating | ● | ● | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Powerlifting | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 16 | |||||||||
| Racquetball | ● | ● | ● | ● | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| Roller sports | ||||||||||||||
| Freestyle inline skating | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||
| Inline hockey | ● | ● | ● | ● | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| Road speed skating | 4 | 4 | 8 | |||||||||||
| Track speed skating | 6 | 4 | 10 | |||||||||||
| Sambo | 6 | 6 | 12 | |||||||||||
| Sport climbing | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||||||||||
| Squash | ● | ● | ● | ● | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| Tug of war | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Underwater sports | ||||||||||||||
| Finswimming | 8 | 8 | 16 | |||||||||||
| Freediving | 5 | 5 | 10 | |||||||||||
| Wakeboarding | ● | ● | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||
| Wushu | 2 | 4 | ● | ● | 6 | 12 | ||||||||
| Daily medal events | 0 | 0 | 23 | 29 | 48 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 35 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 256 | |
| Cumulative total | 0 | 0 | 23 | 52 | 100 | 124 | 146 | 167 | 202 | 217 | 236 | 256 | ||
| Event/Date | August 2025 | Events | ||||||||||||
| 6 Wed |
7 Thu |
8 Fri |
9 Sat |
10 Sun |
11 Mon |
12 Tue |
13 Wed |
14 Thu |
15 Fri |
16 Sat |
17 Sun | |||
Medal table
* Host nation (China)
Marketing
The emblem for the games was revealed on 17 May 2024, designed by British designer, John Fairley. The design was inspired by the giant panda, hibiscus flower and Chinese knot.[20]
The mascots for the games were revealed on 6 August 2024. Shubao, a giant panda and Jinzai, a golden snub-nosed monkey, were created to raise awareness about rare animals and biodiversity protection.[21]
Broadcasting
The Games were broadcast freely on The World Games Live platform.[22]