FISU World University Games

{{More citations needed|date=August 2025}} {{Short description|International multi-sport event for university athletes}} {{distinguish|FISU World University Championships}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}} {{Infobox recurring event | name = FISU World University Games | native_name = | native_name_lang = | logo = AIN logo.png | logo_caption = The flag of the International University Sports Federation flag since 2021 | image = | caption = | status = Active | genre = Sporting event | date = | begins = | ends = | frequency = Biennial | venue = | location = Various | coordinates = | country = | years_active = | first = {{Start date|1959|df=y}} (Summer) {{Start date|1960|df=y}} (Winter) | founder_name = | last = | prev = | next = | participants = | attendance = | area = | budget = | activity = | patron = | organised = FISU | filing = | people = | member = | sponsor = | website = {{URL|https://www.fisu.net/fisu-events/|fisu.net}} | footnotes = }} thumb|Former flag of International University Sports Federation

The '''FISU World University Games''', formerly the '''Universiade''', is an international multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The former name is a portmanteau of the words "University" and "Olympiad".

The Universiade is referred to in English as the '''World University Games''' or '''World Student Games'''; however, this latter term can also refer to competitions for sub-University grades students. In July 2020 as part of a new branding system by the FISU, it was stated that the Universiade was to be officially branded as the '''FISU World University Games'''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pavitt|first=Michael|date=28 July 2020|title=FISU finalises naming system for events|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1096783/fisu-finalises-naming-system-for-events|access-date=19 April 2021|website=insidethegames.biz}}</ref>

The most recent summer event was the 2025 Summer World University Games held in Rhine-Ruhr region, Germany held from 16-27 July 2025, while the most recent winter event was the 2025 Winter World University Games held in Turin, Italy from 13 to 23 January 2025.

== Precursors == thumb|right|A student football match held at the 3rd World Festival of Youth and Students [[File:Unversiade DU89 02.jpg|thumb|During the 1989 Summer Universiade]] [[File:SZ Tour 深圳園博園 Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park sign 2011 Summer Universiade a.jpg|thumb|During the 2011 Summer Universiade]]

The idea of a global international sports competition between student-athletes pre-dates the 1949 formation of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), which now hosts the Universiade, and even the first World University Games held in 1923. English peace campaigner Hodgson Pratt was an early advocate of such an event, proposing (and passing) a motion at the 1891 Universal Peace Congress in Rome to create a series of international student conferences in rotating host capital cities, with activities including art and sport. This did not come to pass, but a similar event was created in Germany in 1909 in the form of the Academic Olympia. Five editions were held from 1909 to 1913, all of which were hosted in Germany following the cancellation of an Italy-based event.<ref name=DB>Bell, Daniel (2003). ''Encyclopedia of International Games''. McFarland and Company, Inc. Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina. {{ISBN|0-7864-1026-4}}.</ref> [[File:2017臺北世界大學運動會開幕典禮 12.jpg|thumb|Opening ceremony of the 2017 Summer Universiade]] At the start of the 20th century, Jean Petitjean of France began attempting to organise a "University Olympic Games". After discussion with Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, Petitjean was convinced not to use the word "Olympic" in the tournament's name.<ref name="DB" /> Petitjean, and later the Confederation Internationale des Etudiants (CIE), was the first to build a series of international events, beginning with the 1923 International Universities Championships. This was followed by the renamed 1924 Summer Student World Championships a year later and two further editions were held in 1927 and 1928. Another name change resulted in the 1930 International University Games. The CIE's International University Games was held four more times in the 1930s before having its final edition in 1947.<ref name="PU">[http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/wsg.htm World Student Games (pre-Universiade)]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2010-12-10.</ref><ref>[http://www.fisu.net/en/FISU-history-3171.html FISU History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119013123/http://fisu.net/en/FISU-history-3171.html |date=19 January 2017 }}. FISU. Retrieved on 2014-12-09.</ref>

A separate group organised an alternative university games in 1939 in Vienna, in post-Anschluss Germany.<ref name=PU/> The onset of World War II ceased all major international student sport activities and the aftermath also led to division among the movement, as the CIE was disbanded and rival organisations emerged. The ''Union Internationale des Étudiants'' (UIE) incorporated a university sports games into the World Festival of Youth and Students from 1947 to 1962, including one separate, unofficial games in 1954. This event principally catered for Eastern European countries.<ref>[http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/uie.htm World Student Games (UIE)]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2014-12-09.</ref>

After the closure of the CIE and the creation of the first UIE-organised games, FISU came into being in 1949 and held its own first major student sport event the same year in the form of the 1949 Summer International University Sports Week. The Sports Week was held biennially until 1955. Like the CIE's games before it, the FISU events were initially Western-led sports competitions.<ref name=PU/>

Division between the largely Western European FISU and Eastern European UIE eventually began to dissipate among broadened participation at the 1957 World University Games. This event was not directly organised by either group, instead being organised by Jean Petitjean in France (which remained neutral to the split), but all respective nations from the groups took part. The FISU-organised Universiade became the direct successor to this competition, maintaining the biennial format into the inaugural 1959 Universiade. It was not until the 1957 World University Games that the Soviet Union began to compete in FISU events. That same year, what had previously been a European competition became a truly global one, with the inclusion of Brazil, Japan and the United States among the competing nations. The increased participation ultimately led to the establishment of the Universiade as the primary global student sport championship.<ref name=DB/><ref name=PU/>

===Precursor events=== Not recognized by FISU as Universiade or World University Games:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; font-size:90%" |+ Precursor events |- !#||Year||width=550|Event||Body||width=200|Host city||width=200|Host country |- | align=center|1 || align=center|1923 || International Universities Championships || CIE || Paris || {{flag|French Third Republic|name=France}} |- | align=center|2 || align=center|1924 || Summer Student World Championships || CIE || Warsaw || {{flag|Second Polish Republic|1919|name=Poland}} |- | align=center|3 || align=center|1927 || Summer Student World Championships || CIE || Rome || {{flag|Fascist Italy (1922–1943)|name=Italy}} |- | align=center|4 || align=center|1928 || Summer Student World Championships || CIE || Paris || {{flag|French Third Republic|name=France}} |- | align=center|5 || align=center|1930 || International University Games || CIE || Darmstadt || {{flag|Weimar Republic|name=Germany}} |- | align=center|6 || align=center|1933 || International University Games || CIE || Turin || {{flag|Fascist Italy (1922–1943)|name=Italy}} |- | align=center|7 || align=center|1935 || International University Games || CIE || Budapest || {{flag|Kingdom of Hungary (1920–1946)|name=Hungary}} |- | align=center|8 || align=center|1937 || International University Games || CIE || Paris || {{flag|French Third Republic|name=France}} |- | align=center|9 || align=center|1939 || International University Games || CIE || Monte Carlo || {{MCO}} |- | align=center|10 || align=center|1939 || International University Games || NSDStB || Vienna || {{flag|Nazi Germany|name=Germany}} |- | align=center|11 || align=center|1947 || International University Games || CIE || Paris || {{flag|French Fourth Republic|name=France}} |- | align=center|12 || align=center|1947 || World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || Prague || {{flag|Czechoslovakia}} |- | align=center|13 || align=center|1949 || World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || Budapest || {{flag|Second Hungarian Republic|name=Hungary}} |- | align=center|14 || align=center|1949 || Summer International University Sports Week || FISU || Merano || {{ITA}} |- | align=center|15 || align=center|1951 || World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || East Berlin || {{flag|East Germany|1949}} |- | align=center|16 || align=center|1951 || Summer International University Sports Week || FISU || Luxembourg || {{LUX}} |- | align=center|17 || align=center|1953 || World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || Bucharest || {{flag|Socialist Republic of Romania|1952|name=Romania}} |- | align=center|18 || align=center|1953 || Summer International University Sports Week || FISU || Dortmund || {{flag|West Germany}} |- | align=center|19 || align=center|1955 || World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || Warsaw || {{flag|Polish People's Republic|name=Poland}} |- | align=center|20 || align=center|1955 || Summer International University Sports Week || FISU || San Sebastián || {{flag|Spain|1945}} |- | align=center|21 || align=center|1957 || World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || Moscow ||{{flag|Soviet Union|1955}} |- | align=center|22 || align=center|1957 ||World University Games || PUC ||Paris || {{flag|French Fourth Republic|name=France}} |- | align=center|23 || align=center|1959|| World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || Vienna || {{AUT}} |- | align=center|24 || align=center|1962|| World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || Helsinki || {{FIN}} |}

==Editions== ===Summer Games=== {{location map+|Earth |float=center |width=1000 |caption=Locations of host cities of the Summer World University Games (excluding those in Europe) |places= {{Location map~|Earth|lat=-30.033056|long=-51.23|label='''1963'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=35.683333|long=139.683333|label='''1967'''|position=top}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=19.433333|long=-99.133333|label='''1979'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=53.533333|long=-113.5|label='''1983'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=34.69|long=135.195556|label='''1985'''|position=right}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=42.904722|long=-78.849444|label='''1993'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=33.583333|long=130.4|label='''1995'''|position=bottom}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=39.916667|long=116.383333|label='''2001'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=35.866667|long= 128.6|label='''2003'''|position=top}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=13.75|long= 100.466667|label='''2007'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=22.55|long=114.1|label='''2011'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=35.159444|long=126.8525|label='''2015'''|position=left}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=25.033333|long=121.633333|label='''2017'''|position=right}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=30.657|long= 104.066|label='''2021'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=36.5994 |long=126.6628|label='''2027'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=35.63346251916252|long=-79.0177118481725|label='''2029'''}} }}

{{location map+|Europe |float=center |width=600 |caption=Locations of host cities of the Summer World University Games (in Europe) |places= {{Location map~|Europe|position=bottom|lat=45.066667|long=7.7|label='''1959,1970'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=42.7|long=23.33|label='''1961, 1977'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=47.4|long=19.051389|label='''1965'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=55.75|long=37.616667|label='''1973'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=41.9|long=12.5|label='''1975'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=44.4325|long=26.103889|label='''1981'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=45.816667|long=15.983333|label='''1987'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=bottom|lat=51.435147|long=6.762692|label='''1989'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=51.233333|long=6.783333|label='''2025'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=53.383611|long=-1.466944|label='''1991'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=37.5|long=15.090278|label='''1997'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=39.566667|long=2.65|label='''1999'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=38.433333|long= 27.15|label='''2005'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=44.816667|long= 20.466667|label='''2009'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|lat=55.783333|long=49.116667|label='''2013'''|position=top}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=40.833333|long=14.25|label='''2019'''}} }}

{|class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; text-align:center;" |+Overview of Summer World University Games{{Sfn|FISU Summer|2026}} |- ! rowspan="2"|Edition ! rowspan="2"|Year ! rowspan="2"|Host ! rowspan="2"|Games dates / Opened by ! rowspan="2"|Sports ! colspan="3"|Competitors ! rowspan="2"|Events ! rowspan="2"|Nations ! rowspan="2"|Top nation |- ! Total ! Men ! Women |- |{{sort|01|1}} |1959 |align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Turin)"|{{flagicon|Italy}} Turin |26 August – 6 September 1959 President Giovanni Gronchi |7 |985 |865 |120 |60 |45 |{{flagIOC2|ITA|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|02|2}} |1961 |align=left data-sort-value="Bulgaria (Sofia)"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1948}} Sofia |26 August – 3 September 1961 Chairman Dimitar Ganev |9 |1,270 |899 |371 |68 |32 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|03|3}} |1963 |align=left data-sort-value="Brazil (Porto Alegre)"|{{flagicon|Brazil}} Porto Alegre |30 August – 8 September 1963 Minister Paulo de Tarso Santos |9 |713 |565 |148 |79 |27 |{{flagIOC2|HUN|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|04|4}} |1965 |align=left data-sort-value="Hungary (Budapest)"|{{flagicon|Hungary}} Budapest |20–30 August 1965 Chairman István Dobi |9 |1,729 |1,290 |439 |73 |32 |{{flagIOC2|HUN|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|05|5}} |1967 |align=left data-sort-value="Japan (Tokyo)"|{{flagicon|Japan|1947}} Tokyo |27 August – 4 September 1967 Emperor Hirohito |10 |938 |698 |240 |87 |36 |{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|06|6}} |1970 |align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Turin)"|{{flagicon|Italy}} Turin{{efn|Originally scheduled for Lisbon, Portugal in 1969.}} |26 August – 6 September 1970 President Giuseppe Saragat |9 |2,084 |1,542 |542 |81 |58 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|07|7}} |1973 |align=left data-sort-value="Soviet Union (Moscow)"|{{flagicon|Soviet Union}} Moscow |16–26 August 1973 Chairman Leonid Brezhnev |10 |2,277 |1634 |643 |111 |70 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|08|8}} |1975 |align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Rome)"|{{flagicon|Italy}} Rome{{efn|Originally scheduled for Belgrade, Yugoslavia.}} |18–21 August 1975 President Giovanni Leone |1{{efn|Only athletics was featured.}} |468 |336 |132 |35 |38 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|09|9}} |1977 |align=left data-sort-value="Bulgaria (Sofia)"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Sofia |17–28 August 1977 President Todor Zhivkov |10 |2,939 |2,181 |758 |101 |78 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|10|10}} |1979 |align=left data-sort-value="Mexico (Mexico City)"|{{flagicon|Mexico}} Mexico City |2–13 September 1979 President José López Portillo |10 |2,974 |2,262 |712 |97 |94 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|11|11}} |1981 |align=left data-sort-value="Romania (Bucharest)"|{{flagicon|Romania|1965}} Bucharest |19–30 July 1981 President Nicolae Ceaușescu |10 |2,912 |2,071 |841 |124 |86 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|12|12}} |1983 |align=left data-sort-value="Canada (Edmonton)"|{{flagicon|Canada}} Edmonton |1–12 July 1983 Charles, Prince of Wales |10 |2,382 |1,651 |7,31 |117 |73 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|13|13}} |1985 |align=left data-sort-value="Japan (Kobe)"|{{flagicon|Japan|1947}} Kobe |24 August – 4 September 1985 Crown Prince Akihito |11 |2,783 |2,008 |775 |120 |106 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|14|14}} |1987 |align=left data-sort-value="Yugoslavia (Zagreb)"|{{flagicon|Yugoslavia}} Zagreb |8–19 July 1987 President Lazar Mojsov |12 |3,905 |2,686 |1,219 |140 |121 |{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|15|15}} |1989 |align=left data-sort-value="Germany (Duisburg)"|{{flagicon|West Germany}} Duisburg{{efn|Originally scheduled for São Paulo, Brazil.}} |22–30 August 1989 Chancellor Helmut Kohl |4 |1,785 |1,271 |514 |66 |79 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|16|16}} |1991 |align=left data-sort-value="United Kingdom (Sheffield)"|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Sheffield |14–25 July 1991 Anne, Princess Royal |12 |3,346 |2,134 |1,212 |125 |101 |{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|17|17}} |1993 |align=left data-sort-value="USA (Buffalo)"|{{flagicon|USA}} Buffalo |8–18 July 1993 Primo Nebiolo |12 |3,547 |2,385 |1,162 |138 |117 |{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|18|18}} |1995 |align=left data-sort-value="Japan (Fukuoka)"|{{flagicon|Japan|1947}} Fukuoka |23 August – 3 September 1995 Crown Prince Naruhito |13 |3,949 |2,636 |1,313 |145 |162 |{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|19|19}} |1997 |align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Sicily)"|{{flagicon|Italy}} Sicily |20–31 August 1997 President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro |11 |3,496 |2,264 |1,232 |127 |124 |{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|20|20}} |1999 |align=left data-sort-value="Spain (Palma de Mallorca)"|{{flagicon|Spain}} Palma de Mallorca |3–13 July 1999 Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo |12 |4,076 |2,635 |1,441 |146 |125 |{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|21|21}} |2001 |align=left data-sort-value="China (Beijing)"|{{flagicon|China}} Beijing |22 August – 1 September 2001 President Jiang Zemin |13 |3,854 |2,705 |1,779 |168 |165 |{{flagIOC2|CHN|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|22|22}} |2003 |align=left data-sort-value="South Korea (Daegu)"|{{flagicon|South Korea|1997}} Daegu |21–31 August 2003 President Roh Moo-hyun |14 |4,460 |2,622 |1,838 |185 |'''174''' |{{flagIOC2|CHN|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|23|23}} |2005 |align=left data-sort-value="Turkey (İzmir)"|{{flagicon|Turkey}} İzmir |11–21 August 2005 President Ahmet Necdet Sezer |15 |5,346 |3,187 |2,159 |196 |131 |{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|24|24}} |2007 |align=left data-sort-value="Thailand (Bangkok)"|{{flagicon|Thailand}} Bangkok |20–31 August 2007 Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn |18 |6,093 |3,389 |2,704 |236 |152 |{{flagIOC2|CHN|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|25|25}} |2009 |align=left data-sort-value="Serbia (Belgrade)"|{{flagicon|Serbia|2004}} Belgrade |1–12 July 2009 Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković |15 |5,566 |3,203 |2,363 |203 |122 |{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|26|26}} |2011 |align=left data-sort-value="China (Shenzen)"|{{flagicon|China}} Shenzhen |12–23 August 2011 President Hu Jintao |24 |7,155 |4,088 |3,067 |305 |151 |{{flagIOC2|CHN|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|27|27}} |2013 |align=left data-sort-value="Russia (Kazan)"|{{flagicon|Russia}} Kazan |6–17 July 2013 President Vladimir Putin |'''27''' |'''7,966''' |'''4,827''' |3,139 |'''351''' |159 |{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|28|28}} |2015 |align=left data-sort-value="South Korea (Gwangju)"|{{flagicon|South Korea}} Gwangju |3–14 July 2015 President Park Geun-hye |21 |7,432 |4,270 |3,162 |272 |140 |{{flagIOC2|KOR|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|29|29}} |2017 |align=left data-sort-value="Chinese Taipei (Taipei)"|{{flagicon|Chinese Taipei|univ}} Taipei{{efn|group=notes|The {{flagicon|ROC}} Republic of China (Taiwan) is recognised as Chinese Taipei by the FISU and the majority of international organisations it participates in due to political considerations and Cross-Strait relations with the People's Republic of China.}} |19–30 August 2017 President Tsai Ing-wen |21 |7,377 |4,189 |'''3,188''' |271 |134 |{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|30|30}} |2019 |align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Naples)"|{{flagicon|Italy}} Naples{{efn|Originally scheduled for Brasília, Brazil.}} |3–14 July 2019 President Sergio Mattarella |18 |5,893 |3,100 |2,793 |220 |111 |{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|31|31}} |2021 |align=left data-sort-value="China (Chengdu)|{{flagicon|China}} Chengdu |28 July – 8 August 2023{{efn|Originally scheduled to be held on 15–27 August 2021, but was postponed to 25 June–7 July 2022, and again to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the eventual cancellation of the 2023 Games in Yekaterinburg due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this edition would replace the 2023 Games.}} President Xi Jinping |18 |6,573 |3,556 |3,017 |269 |116 |{{flagIOC2|CHN|Universiade}} |- !{{sort|32|—}} !2023 !colspan=9 data-sort-value="Russia (Yekaterinburg)"|''Originally awarded to {{flagicon|RUS}} Yekaterinburg. Cancelled due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine'' |- |{{sort|32|32}} |2025<ref>{{cite web|last=Courvoisier|first=Thérèse|title=9047 participants dug for gold in a region known for its mining tradition|website=FISU|date=27 July 2025|url=https://www.fisu.net/2025/07/27/9047-participants-dug-for-gold-in-a-region-known-for-its-mining-tradition/|access-date=7 August 2025}}</ref> |align=left data-sort-value="Germany (Rhine-Ruhr)"|{{flagicon|Germany}} Rhine-Ruhr |16–27 July 2025 Minister Bärbel Bas |18 |6,233 |3,260 |2,973 |234 |113 |{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}} |- |{{sort|33|''33''}} |''2027'' |align=left data-sort-value="Korea (Chungcheong)"|{{flagicon|South Korea}} ''Chungcheong'' |''1-12 August 2027'' TBA |''18'' |{{N/a|TBA}} |{{N/a|TBA}} |{{N/a|TBA}} |248 |{{N/a|TBA}} |{{N/a|TBA}} |- |{{sort|34|''34''}} |''2029''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaw |first=Justin |date=2023-01-10 |title=North Carolina Wins Bid for 2029 FISU World University Games |url=https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/north-carolina-wins-bid-for-2029-fisu-world-university-games/ |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=SportsTravel |language=en-US}}</ref> |align=left data-sort-value="USA (North Carolina)"|{{flagicon|USA}} ''North Carolina'' |''11-22 July 2029'' TBA |''18'' |{{N/a|TBA}} |{{N/a|TBA}} |{{N/a|TBA}} |{{N/a|TBA}} |{{N/a|TBA}} |{{N/a|TBA}} |}

===Winter Games=== {{location map+|Earth |float=center |width=1000 |caption=Locations of host cities of the Winter World University Games (excluding those in Europe) |places= {{Location map~|Earth|position=|lat=43.2775|long=76.895833|label='''2017'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|position=|lat=56.016667|long= 93.066667|label='''2019'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|position=|lat=44.285556|long= -73.985278|label='''1972, 2023'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|position=|lat=43.066667|long=141.35|label='''1991'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|position=|lat=36.0068191|long=127.6607805|label='''1997'''}} {{Location map~|Earth|lat=45.75|long=126.633333|label='''2009'''|position=top}} {{Location map~|Earth|position=|lat=43.88|long=125.35|label='''2027'''}} }}

{{location map+|Europe |float=center |width=600 |caption=Locations of host cities of the Winter World University Games (in Europe) |places= {{Location map~|Europe|lat=45.9231|long=6.8697|label='''1960'''|position=left}} {{Location map~|Europe|lat=46.297889|long=7.054667|label='''1962'''|position=top}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=50.725278|long=15.608333|label='''1964, 1978'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|lat=44.95|long=6.883333|label='''1966'''|position=bottom}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=47.266667|long=11.383333|label='''1968, 2005'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=66.5|long=25.733333|label='''1970'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=46.533333|long=10.133333|label='''1975'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=46.140278|long=12.216667|label='''1985'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|lat=49.1225|long=20.058333|label='''1987, 2015'''|position=left}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=42.55|long=-0.55|label='''1981, 1995'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=42.7|long=23.33|label='''1983,1989'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|lat=49.3|long=19.95|label='''1993, 2001'''|position=top}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=49.059444|long=20.2975|label='''1999'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|lat=46.140278|long=12.216667|label='''2003'''|position=bottom}} {{Location map~|Europe|lat=47.329444|long=11.189167|label='''2005'''|position=top}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=45.066667|long=7.7|label='''2007, 2025'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=39.908611|long=41.276944|label='''2011'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|lat=46.066667|long=11.116667|label='''2013'''|position=left}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=37.178056|long=-3.600833|label='''2015'''}} {{Location map~|Europe|lat=48.758056|long=19.525278|label='''2015'''|position=bottom}} {{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=47.05|long= 8.3|label='''2021'''}} }}

{|class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; text-align:center;" |+Overview of Winter World University Games events{{Sfn|FISU Winter|2024}} |- ! rowspan="2"|Edition ! rowspan="2"|Year ! rowspan="2"|Host ! rowspan="2"|Games dates / Opened by ! rowspan="2"|Sports ! colspan="3"|Competitors ! rowspan="2"|Events ! rowspan="2"|Nations ! rowspan="2"|Top nation |- ! Total ! Men ! Women |- |1 |1960 |align=left data-sort-value="France (Chamonix)"|{{flagicon|FRA|1794}} Chamonix |28 February – 6 March 1960 President Charles de Gaulle |5 |151 |106 |45 |12 |15 |{{flagIOC2|FRA|Universiade}} |- |2 |1962 |align=left data-sort-value="Switzerland (Villars)"|{{flagicon|SUI}} Villars |6–12 March 1962 President Paul Chaudet |6 |273 |212 |61 |14 |22 |{{flagIOC2|FRG|Universiade}} |- |3 |1964 |align=left data-sort-value="Czechoslovakia (Špindlerův Mlýn)"|{{flagicon|TCH}} Špindlerův Mlýn |11–17 February 1964 President Antonín Novotný |5 |285 |206 |79 |17 |21 |{{flagIOC2|FRG|Universiade}} |- |4 |1966 |align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Sestriere)"|{{flagicon|ITA}} Sestriere |5–13 February 1966 President Giuseppe Saragat |6 |434 |355 |79 |19 |29 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |5 |1968 |align=left data-sort-value="Austria (Innsbruck)"|{{flagicon|AUT}} Innsbruck |21–28 January 1968 President Franz Jonas |7 |424 |351 |73 |23 |26 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |6 |1970 |align=left data-sort-value="Finland (Rovaniemi)"|{{flagicon|FIN}} Rovaniemi |3–9 April 1970 President Urho Kekkonen |7 |421 |326 |95 |25 |25 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |7 |1972 |align=left data-sort-value="United States (Lake Placid)"|{{flagicon|USA}} Lake Placid |26 February – 5 March 1972 President Richard Nixon |7 |351 |279 |72 |28 |22 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |8 |1975 |align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Livigno)"|{{flagicon|ITA}} Livigno |6–13 April 1975 President Giovanni Leone |2 |143 |95 |48 |14 |15 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |9 |1978 |align=left data-sort-value="Czechoslovakia (Špindlerův Mlýn)"|{{flagicon|TCH}} Špindlerův Mlýn |5–12 February 1978 President Gustáv Husák |4 |260 |179 |81 |15 |21 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |10 |1981 |align=left data-sort-value="Spain (Jaca)"|{{flagicon|ESP}} Jaca |25 February – 4 March 1981 King Juan Carlos I |5 |394 |287 |107 |19 |28 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |11 |1983 |align=left data-sort-value="Bulgaria (Sofia)"|{{flagicon|BUL|1971}} Sofia |17–27 February 1983 Chairman Todor Zhivkov |7 |535 |409 |126 |24 |31 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |12 |1985 |align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Belluno)"|{{flagicon|ITA}} Belluno |16–24 February 1985 President Sandro Pertini |7 |538 |381 |157 |27 |29 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |13 |1987 |align=left data-sort-value="Czechoslovakia (Štrbské Pleso)"|{{flagicon|TCH}} Štrbské Pleso |21–28 February 1987 President Gustáv Husák |6 |596 |442 |154 |22 |28 |{{flagIOC2|TCH|Universiade}} |- |14 |1989 |align=left data-sort-value="Bulgaria (Sofia)"|{{flagicon|BUL|1971}} Sofia |2–12 March 1989 Chairman Todor Zhivkov |8 |681 |467 |214 |40 |32 |{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}} |- |15 |1991 |align=left data-sort-value="Japan (Sapporo)"|{{flagicon|JPN|1947}} Sapporo |2–10 March 1991 Crown Prince Naruhito |8 |668 |461 |207 |45 |34 |{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}} |- |16 |1993 |align=left data-sort-value="Poland (Zakopane)"|{{flagicon|POL}} Zakopane |6–14 February 1993 President Lech Wałęsa |8 |668 |454 |214 |41 |41 |{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}} |- |17 |1995 |align=left data-sort-value="Spain (Jaca)"|{{flagicon|ESP}} Jaca |13–26 February 1995 King Juan Carlos I |8 |765 |542 |223 |36 |41 |{{flagIOC2|KOR|Universiade}} |- |18 |1997 |align=left data-sort-value="South Korea (Muju–Chonju)"|{{flagicon|KOR|1984}} Muju–Chonju |24 January – 2 February 1997 President Kim Young-sam |9 |877 |609 |268 |53 |48 |{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}} |- |19 |1999 |align=left data-sort-value="Slovakia (Poprad-Tatry)"|{{flagicon|SVK}} Poprad-Tatry |22–30 January 1999 President Rudolf Schuster |9 |929 |644 |285 |53 |40 |{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}} |- |20 |2001 |align=left data-sort-value="Poland (Zakopane)"|{{flagicon|POL}} Zakopane |7–17 February 2001 President Aleksander Kwaśniewski |9 |1,007 |701 |306 |52 |41 |{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}} |- |21 |2003 |align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Tarvisio)"|{{flagicon|ITA|2003}} Tarvisio |16–26 January 2003 President Renzo Tondo |10 |1,266 |856 |410 |57 |46 |{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}} |- |22 |2005 |align=left data-sort-value="Austria (Innsbruck–Seefeld)"|{{flagicon|AUT}} Innsbruck–Seefeld |12–22 January 2005 President Heinz Fischer |12 |1,449 |957 |492 |71 |50 |{{flagIOC2|AUT|Universiade}} |- |23 |2007 |align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Turin)"|{{flagicon|ITA}} Turin |17–27 January 2007 FISU President George Killian |11 |1,638 |964 |674 |71 |48 |{{flagIOC2|KOR|Universiade}} |- |24 |2009 |align=left data-sort-value="China (Harbin)"|{{flagicon|CHN}} Harbin |18–28 February 2009 State councillor Liu Yandong |12 |1,545 |864 |681 |81 |44 |{{flagIOC2|CHN|Universiade}} |- |25 |2011 |align=left data-sort-value="Turkey (Erzurum)"|{{flagicon|TUR}} Erzurum |27 January – 6 February 2011 President Abdullah Gül |11 |1,593 |920 |673 |64 |52 |{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}} |- |26 |2013 |align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Trentino)"|{{flagicon|ITA}} Trentino{{Efn|Originally scheduled for Maribor, Slovenia.}} |11–21 December 2013 President Ugo Rossi |12 |'''1,698''' |'''1,035''' |663 |78 |50 |{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}} |- |rowspan=2|27 |rowspan=2|2015 |align=left data-sort-value-"Slovakia (Štrbské Pleso–Osrblie)|{{flagicon|SVK}} Štrbské Pleso–Osrblie{{Efn|Due to environmental problems in Granada, the Nordic skiing events were transferred to Slovakia.}} |24 January – 1 February 2015 President Andrej Kiska |rowspan=2|11 |rowspan=2|1,546 |rowspan=2|938 |rowspan=2|608 |rowspan=2|68 |rowspan=2|42 |rowspan=2|{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}} |- |align=left data-sort-value="Spain (Granada)"|{{flagicon|ESP}} Granada |4–14 February 2015 King Felipe VI |- |28 |2017 |align=left data-sort-value="Kazakhstan (Almaty)"|{{flagicon|KAZ}} Almaty |29 January – 8 February 2017 President Nursultan Nazarbayev |12 |1,620 |984 |636 |85 |57 |{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}} |- |29 |2019 |align=left data-sort-value="Russia (Krasnoyarsk)"|{{flagicon|RUS}} Krasnoyarsk |2–12 March 2019 President Vladimir Putin |11 |1,692 |967 |'''725''' |76 |'''58''' |{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}} |- !30 !2021 !colspan=9 data-sort-value="Switzerland (Lucerne)"|''Originally awarded to {{flagicon|SUI}} Lucerne. Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic'' |- |31 |2023 |align=left data-sort-value="United States (Lake Placid)"|{{flagicon|USA}} Lake Placid |12–22 January 2023 Governor Kathy Hochul |12 |1,417 |824 |593 |85 |46 |{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}} |- |32 |2025 |align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Turin)"|{{flagicon|ITA}} Turin |13–23 January 2025 Minister Andrea Abodi |11 |1,503 |897 |705 |90 |54 |{{flagIOC2|FRA|Universiade}} |- |''33'' |''2027'' |align=left data-sort-value="China (Changchun)"|{{flagicon|CHN}} ''Changchun'' |''15–25 January 2027'' TBA |'''''13''''' |{{N/a|TBA}} |{{N/a|TBA}} |{{N/a|TBA}} |'''''108''''' |{{N/a|TBA}} |{{N/a|TBA}} |}

==Sports== {{see also|Sports at the FISU World University Games}} ===Summer Games=== Since the second edition held in 1961, it has been up to the Organizing Committee and the National University Sports Federation of the host country to choose sports or optional competitions. According to their demands, there is a list of mandatory sports that are defined by the International University Sports Federation and could be reviewed at the end of each edition. The event also serves as the World University Championship. At the first edition, only 8 sports were in the program (athletics, basketball, fencing, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, volleyball and water polo). The first sport to be considered optional was diving, which was added to the second edition in 1961. In addition, optional events were added in basketball and volleyball when women's tournaments were played. In 1963, the women's basketball was dropped from the sporting program. In 1967, the third World University Judo Championship was held in Tokyo and was integrated into the fifth edition of the Summer Universiade as an optional sport, thus gaining the status of an optional sport and thus inaugurating a new type of sport at the event, which is that of the optional sport. Therefore, the sport with this status is not part of the fixed program and could be in the current edition, but not necessarily in the next one.

====Compulsory sports==== =====Team sports===== # Basketball at the Summer World University Games # Volleyball at the Summer World University Games # Water polo at the Summer World University Games

=====Individual sports===== # Athletics at the Summer World University Games # Swimming at the Summer World University Games: Swimming has been a compulsory event since the first edition in 1959. Open water events were held between 2011 to 2017 and Artistic Swimming was held as an optional sport in 2013. # Diving at the Summer World University Games # Gymnastics at the Summer World University Games (artistic and rhythmic): Artistic Gymnastics was an optional sport in 1961, turned compulsory in 1963. Rhythmic Gymnastics was an optional sport in 1991, 1995 and 1997, turned compulsory in 2001. An aerobics event was held as an optional event in 2011. # Fencing at the Summer World University Games # Tennis at the Summer World University Games # Table tennis at the Summer World University Games – Compulsory since 2007. Optional sport in 2001. # Judo at the Summer World University Games – Compulsory since 2007. Optional sport in 1967, 1985, 1995, 1999 to 2003. # Taekwondo at the Summer World University Games – Compulsory since 2017. Optional sport in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2015. # Archery at the Summer World University Games – Compulsory since 2019. Optional sport in 2003, 2005, 2009 to 2017. # Badminton at the Summer World University Games – Compulsory since 2021. Optional sport in 2007, 2011 to 2017.

====Optional sports==== =====Team sports===== # Baseball at the Summer World University Games – 4 times (1993, 1995, 2015, 2017, 2029) # Beach volleyball at the Summer World University Games – 3 times (2011, 2013, 2025, 2027) # Field hockey at the Summer World University Games – 2 times (1991, 2013) # Rugby sevens at the Summer World University Games – 2 times (2013, 2019, 2029) # Basketball at the Summer World University Games (3x3 basketball) – 1 time (2025) # Handball at the Summer World University Games – 1 time (2015) # Softball at the Summer World University Games – 1 time (2007, 2029)

=====Removed sports===== # Football at the Summer World University Games – Obsolescent since 2019, after the creation of the FISU University World Cup Football. Optional sport in 1979, compulsory from 1985 to 2019.

===Winter Games=== Since 1960 until 1989, limited and fixed sports were held. Since the 1991 Winter Universiade the host is allowed to choose some sports that are approved by FISU as optional sports.

====Compulsory sports==== =====Team sports===== # Curling at the Winter World University Games – Compulsory since 2007. Optional sport in 2003. # Ice hockey at the Winter World University Games – Compulsory since 1966.

=====Individual sports===== # Alpine skiing at the Winter World University Games # Biathlon at the Winter World University Games – Compulsory since 1997. Optional sport in 1983, 1989, 1993 # Cross-country skiing at the Winter World University Games # Figure skating at the Winter World University Games – Compulsory since 1981. Optional sport between 1960 to 1979 # Freestyle skiing at the Winter World University Games – Compulsory since 2023. Optional sport between 2005 to 2019. # Snowboarding at the Winter World University Games – Compulsory since 1999. Optional sport in 1995 and 1997. # Ski-orienteering at the Winter World University Games – Compulsory since 2027. Optional sport in 2019,2025 became compulsory in 2027. # Short track speed skating at the Winter World University Games – Compulsory since 1997. Optional sport in 1985 and from 1989 to 1995

====Optional sports==== =====Team sports===== # Bandy at the Winter World University Games – 1 time (2019)

=====Individual sports===== # Cross-country running at the Winter World University Games – scheduled for 2027 # Nordic combined at the Winter World University Games – 27 times (1960–1970, 1978, 1981–2023). Compulsory sport from 1960 to 2007,optional from 2011 to 2017 and in 2023. # Ski jumping at the Winter World University Games – 25 times (1960–1972, 1978, 1981–2017). Compulsory sport from 1960 to 2007; optional from 2011 to 2017 and held in 2023. # Ski mountaineering at the Winter World University Games – 2 times (2025 and scheduled for 2027) # Skeleton at the Winter World University Games – 1 time (2005)

=====Special sport status===== # Speed skating at the Winter World University Games – 12 times (1968–2027). Sport with special status (1968 to 1972, 1991, 1997, 2005 to 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023, 2027).

==Medals== {{Main article|All-time FISU World University Games medal table}}

===Summer Games===

{{Medals table | caption = | host = | flag_template = flagIOC2team | event = Universiade | team = {{Tooltip|NUSF|National University Sports Federation}} | gold_USA = 540 | silver_USA = 480 | bronze_USA = 448 | gold_CHN = 576 | silver_CHN = 374 | bronze_CHN = 309 | gold_RUS = 433 | silver_RUS = 364 | bronze_RUS = 417 | gold_URS = 409 | silver_URS = 337 | bronze_URS = 251| host_URS = yes | gold_JPN = 412 | silver_JPN = 390 | bronze_JPN = 504 | gold_KOR = 281 | silver_KOR = 228 | bronze_KOR = 286 | gold_ITA= 224 | silver_ITA= 236 | bronze_ITA= 301 | gold_UKR = 186 | silver_UKR = 191 | bronze_UKR = 184 | gold_ROU = 149 | silver_ROU = 132 | bronze_ROU = 150 | gold_HUN = 121 | silver_HUN = 116 | bronze_HUN = 129 }}

===Winter Games===

{{Medals table | caption = | host = | team = {{Tooltip|NUSF|National University Sports Federation}} | flag_template = flagIOC2team | event = Universiade | gold_RUS = 208 | silver_RUS = 189 | bronze_RUS = 173 | gold_URS = 103 | silver_URS = 98 | bronze_URS = 70 | host_URS = yes | gold_KOR = 127 | silver_KOR = 91 | bronze_KOR = 86 | gold_JPN = 122 | silver_JPN = 131| bronze_JPN = 112 | gold_CHN = 80 | silver_CHN = 70 | bronze_CHN = 79 | gold_TCH = 52 | silver_TCH = 50 | bronze_TCH = 27 | host_TCH = yes | gold_ITA = 61 | silver_ITA = 67 | bronze_ITA = 72 | gold_FRA = 75 | silver_FRA = 64 | bronze_FRA = 76 | gold_POL = 60 | silver_POL = 67 | bronze_POL = 74 | gold_AUT = 56 | silver_AUT = 56 | bronze_AUT = 56 }}

== References == {{Reflist|30em}}

;Official statistics reports {{Refbegin|30em}} *{{Cite book |author=FISU Games Winter Department |date=April 2024 |title=FISU World University Games Winter: 1960–2023 Statistics |editor=International University Sports Federation |url=https://www.fisu.net/app/uploads/2024/04/WINTER-STATS-1960-2023.pdf |accessdate=2025-08-06 |ref={{Harvid|FISU Winter|2024}} }} *{{Cite book |author=FISU Summer Games Department |date=January 2026 |title=FISU World University Games Summer: 1959–2025 Statistics |editor=International University Sports Federation |url=https://www.fisu.net/app/uploads/2026/01/SUMMER-STATS-1959-2025_Final-20260109.pdf |accessdate=2026-02-19 |ref={{Harvid|FISU Summer|2026}} }} {{Refend}}

== External links == {{Commons category}} * {{official website}} * [http://www.adh.de German University Sports Federation] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311114151/http://nerografik.net/wu2005/ Official report of the Winter Universiade Innsbruck / Seefeld 2005] * [https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E4%B8%96%E5%A4%A7%E9%81%8B%E6%9C%80%E7%B5%82%E7%A5%A8%E6%88%BF87-%E6%AD%B7%E5%B1%86%E5%94%AE%E7%A5%A8%E7%8E%87%E6%9C%80%E9%AB%98-092345973.html Yahoo News : 2017 Taipei Universiade, 87% box-office success as the highest ever.]

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Category:FISU World University Games Category:Student sports competitions Category:Multi-sport events Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1959 Category:Biennial sporting events