The World Games 2025
Quick Answer
The World Games are an international multi-sport event featuring disciplines not contested in the Olympic Games. The 12th edition of the World Games was held in Chengdu, China, in August 2025.
- Event dates: August 7-17, 2025
- New sports added: powerboating and cheerleading
A Fun Fact About The World Games
The World Games are held one year after the summer Olympics, and showcase unusual sports like flag football, squash, and powerlifting that are not featured at the Olympics.
Event Overview
Over 3,000 athletes from more than 100 nations competed in 34 sports and 60 disciplines in the 2025 World Games. This represented one of the largest gatherings of non-Olympic sports athletes in the world, making it a truly unique sporting spectacle.
"The World Games represents a crucial platform for developing sports to gain international recognition and potentially progress toward Olympic inclusion. The event serves as a proving ground for emerging sports while maintaining the competitive excellence expected at the highest levels of international competition."— Robert J. Wood, PhD, Founder of Topend Sports
Chengdu 2025 At A Glance
Host City: Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China | Edition: 12th World Games | Duration: 11 days
Participants: 3,000+ athletes from 100+ nations | Sports: 34 sports, 60 disciplines
Sports Program Changes for 2025
To adapt to the changing nature of international non-Olympic sports, the 2025 World Games program saw substantial modifications. Along with sumo, three sports that had been a feature of every prior edition were no longer included: bowling, water skiing, and artistic roller skating. Cheerleading and powerboating made their official debuts.
New Sports Debut in 2025
Powerboating and Cheerleading make their official World Games debut!
Venue Information
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province in southwestern China, served as the host city for The World Games 2025. Known as the "Land of Abundance," Chengdu's modern sports infrastructure, infused with a rich cultural heritage, made it an ideal location for the tournament.
Main Stadium
The Dong'an Lake Sports Park was used as the primary venue, as it featured state-of-the-art facilities completed in 2021 for the FISU World University Games.
Learn More →Competition Venues
Over 20 different venues across Chengdu hosted the competitions, with specialized facilities for martial arts, aquatic sports, and indoor sports.
Learn More →The World Games: History and Significance
The World Games, organized by the International World Games Association (IWGA) under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), have been held every four years since 1981. The next edition is to take place in July 2029, in Karlsruhe, Germany. Below you'll find a summary of the most recent host cities of the tournament throughout the featured editions.
| Year | Host City | Athletes | Nations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Chengdu, China | 3,000+ | 100+ |
| 2022 | Birmingham, USA | 3,400+ | 99 |
| 2017 | WrocΕaw, Poland | 3,400+ | 102 |
| 2013 | Cali, Colombia | 3,100+ | 91 |
Global Impact and Olympic Pathway
The World Games serve as a crucial stepping stone for non-Olympic sports seeking recognition and potential inclusion in future Olympic Games. Several sports that were previously featured in The World Games have successfully transitioned to the Olympic program.
"Sports featured in The World Games benefit from increased global visibility and standardization of rules, which are essential factors for Olympic consideration. The event provides a structured pathway for sport development and international growth."— Robert J. Wood, PhD, Sports Science Expert
Notable examples include sport climbing, surfing, and skateboarding, which all featured in The World Games before being added to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This demonstrates the event's role as an incubator for Olympic sports.
Athlete Preparation and Qualification
Athletes qualify for The World Games through their respective International Sports Federations, which set specific qualification criteria based on world rankings, continental championships, or qualifying events. Unlike the Olympics, the World Games limits the number of participants per sport to ensure a compact, high-quality competition.
Qualification Process At A Glance
Timeline: Most qualifications are finalized by May 2025 | Criteria: Set by each International Federation | Limits: Maximum athletes per sport capped
Selection: Based on world rankings or qualifying events | Representation: Ensures global participation
Cultural Program and Legacy
The World Games 2029 will have a comprehensive cultural program that highlights Karlsruhe's history as a centre of innovation, the arts, and science in Germany, in addition to the athletic events. Karlsruhe is a city that provides both athletes and tourists with unique experiences because of its baroque palace, vibrant cultural festivals, and reputation as a hub for law and technology.
Sustainable practices and community impact are key components of the 2029 World Games legacy plan. Modern sports facilities and infrastructure investments will not only host top-tier tournaments but also help locals by encouraging recreational possibilities, grassroots involvement, and the growth of elite athletes throughout the area.
Pro Tip: The mild oceanic environment of Karlsruhe, Germany, should be the main focus of athletes getting ready for the 2029 World Games. In Karlsruhe, summer temperatures (July–August) usually range from 20 to 28°C, with sporadic heat waves exceeding 30°C.
"Studies by Robert J. Wood, founder of Topend Sports, show that major multi-sport events like The World Games create lasting benefits through infrastructure development, increased sport participation, and international tourism. The economic and social impact extends well beyond the competition period."— Robert J. Wood, PhD, Topend Sports
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the World Games 2025 held?
The World Games 2025 took place from August 7-17, 2025 in Chengdu, China.
How many athletes competed at The World Games 2025?
Over 3,600 athletes from more than 100 nations contested during the tournament.
Which sports were dropped from The World Games 2025?
Bowling, water skiing, artistic roller skating, and sumo. These changes were made to accommodate new sports like powerboating and cheerleading while maintaining the event's compact format.
What new sports were featured at The World Games 2025?
Powerboating and cheerleading made their official World Games debut in 2025.
How do athletes qualify for The World Games?
Athletes qualify through their International Sports Federations based on world rankings, continental championships, or specific qualifying events.
What is the difference between The World Games and the Olympics?
The World Games features sports not included in the Olympic program, providing a platform for non-Olympic sports to gain international recognition.
Where will the next edition take place?
The main venue for the 13th edition of the World Games is Karlsruhe in Germany.
References
- International World Games Association. (2025). "Official World Games 2025 Program." IWGA Publications. Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Chengdu 2025 Organizing Committee. (2024). "Venue Master Plan for The World Games." Official Event Documentation. Chengdu, China.
- Wood, R.J. (2024). "The Evolution of Multi-Sport Events." Topend Sports Research. Sports Science Publications.
- Olympic Council of Asia. (2024). "Non-Olympic Sports Development in Asia." OCA Quarterly Report. Kuwait City.
- International Sports Press Association. (2025). "Preview: The World Games 2025." AIPS Media Guide. Lausanne.
- Chinese Olympic Committee. (2025). "Chengdu Sports Infrastructure Development." COC Official Report. Beijing.
- Global Association of International Sports Federations. (2024). "Sport Development Through The World Games." GAISF Studies. Lausanne.
- Wood, R.J. (2025). "Climate Considerations for International Competition." Exercise Physiology Quarterly. University of Western Australia.
Related Pages
- Host cities of the World Games - Complete list of all World Games host cities
- About the World Games - History and overview of The World Games
- World Games Sports - Complete list of sports featured
- World Sports Calendar 2025 - Major sporting events in 2025
- About Sport in China - Sports culture and history in China
- Multi-Sport Events - Overview of international multi-sport competitions
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