The World Games 2025, set to take place from August 7 to 17 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, will showcase 255 events across 34 sports and 60 disciplines, the majority of which are non-Olympic, organizers said on Wednesday.
Chengdu won the bid to host the 12th edition of the World Games during the International World Games Association (IWGA) Annual General Meeting in Gold Coast, Australia, in May 2019.
As the international multi-sport event begins its 100-day countdown, the competition schedule has been largely finalized, promising a diverse array of sports and disciplines including drone racing, archery, billiards, baseball and softball, diving, Muay Thai, and water skiing.
While most of the competitions will focus on non-Olympic sports, the World Games will also feature disciplines that are part of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics or will be introduced in Los Angeles 2028, such as breakdancing, trampoline, climbing, flag football, softball, lacrosse and squash.
The Chengdu World Games will take place across eight designated zones, utilizing 27 competition venues.
"Regarding venue construction, we adhere to the principle of 'renovation over new construction.' All 27 competition venues are either converted from existing facilities or temporarily constructed. During the process of conversion, we coordinate the needs of the Games with post-event utilization. After the World Games, the venues will be repurposed and gradually opened to the public. They will play a greater role in professional training, hosting competitions, and promoting mass sports," said Wang Fengchao, mayor of Chengdu and vice chairman of the Chengdu World Games Organizing Committee, during a press conference in Beijing, where he briefed the media on the latest preparations.
The Chinese delegation for the World Games is continuing its selection process. So far, China has secured qualification in 28 sports and 152 events, with approximately 330 athletes expected to compete. This will be the largest Chinese team in World Games history, both in terms of the number of sports and athletes involved.
"The delegation includes not only professional athletes from the sports system but also outstanding individuals from universities, enterprises, public institutions, and sports clubs. Moreover, athletes with disabilities, selected by the China Disabled Persons' Federation, will compete in freediving, jiu-jitsu, and archery. This will be a comprehensive demonstration of China's sporting achievements, especially in non-Olympic disciplines," said Li Jing, deputy director of China's General Administration of Sport and vice chairman of the Chengdu World Games Organizing Committee.
World Games 2025 highlights non-Olympic sports
