World University Games 2025: All information about the start in NRW - competitions today (22.7.25)

The FISU World University Games began on July 16, 2025, with a grand opening ceremony at the MSV Arena in Duisburg. Thousands of students from all over the world will compete in 18 sports until July 27 – primarily in the Rhine-Ruhr region, but also in Berlin. This is the second time the Games have been held in Germany. Here's an overview of the most important questions and answers about the sporting event.

The FISU World University Games, formerly the Universiade , are the third-largest multi-sport event in the world after the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) , the Games have been held every two years since 1959, both in summer and winter versions. Only students and graduates up to the age of 25 are eligible to participate.

The Games combine top sporting achievements with international exchange – in the spirit of the Olympic ideal. In 2025, Germany will host a summer edition for the second time after 1989.

The 2025 Summer Games will take place from July 17 to 27. The venue will be the Rhine-Ruhr region , with some competitions in Berlin. Many view the Games as a test run for future German Olympic bids—particularly for North Rhine-Westphalia.

The following cities are participating as host cities:

• Bochum
• Duisburg
• Eat
• Mülheim an der Ruhr
• Hagen
• Berlin

The opening ceremony took place on July 16 at the MSV Arena in Duisburg , featuring a torch handover and flame lighting ceremony in true Olympic style. The ceremony was accompanied by a parade of nations, a music and light show, and a concluding fireworks display. The closing ceremony will take place on July 27 at the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, featuring a performance by the band Deichkind.

Around 8,500 athletes and officials from over 150 countries are participating in the Student Games in North Rhine-Westphalia and Berlin. As host nation, Germany is fielding the largest contingent in its history, with 305 athletes and 177 support staff. Eligibility is open exclusively to students up to the age of 25 or recent graduates.

A total of 18 sports are on the program – from classic disciplines to modern formats:

Olympic classics:

• Athletics (Bochum)
• Artistic gymnastics (Essen)
• Swimming (Berlin)
• Judo (Essen)
• Fencing (Essen)
• Rowing (Duisburg)
• Tennis (Essen)
• Volleyball (Berlin)
• Table tennis (Essen)
• Taekwondo (Essen)

Team sports:

• Basketball (Essen, Duisburg, Hagen)
• 3x3 Basketball (Bochum)
• 3x3 wheelchair basketball (Bochum)
• Beach volleyball (Duisburg)
• Water polo (Duisburg)

Other disciplines:

• Archery (Essen)
• Rhythmic gymnastics (Essen)
• Diving (Berlin)
• Badminton (Mülheim an der Ruhr)

The 18 sports of the FISU World University Games 2025 are spread over eleven competition days – from July 17 to 27. The competitions vary in length depending on the discipline. Medals will be awarded daily.

Here is an overview of the competition schedule:

The official schedule for the medal decisions at a glance.

Source: FISU (World University Summer Games)

On each day of the competition, decisions are made in several cities – from preliminary rounds to semifinals to medal decisions.

Today, July 22, 2025 , the following disciplines are on the program:

• Swimming: Preliminaries from 9:00, finals from 19:00
• Table Tennis : Doubles & Singles Preliminary Rounds, Mixed Finals from 10:00–21:15
• Fencing : Team competitions (men's foil, women's sabre) from 09:00–18:15
• Taekwondo : Kyorugi - several weight classes from 09:00–20:00
• Tennis : Quarterfinals Singles & Doubles, Mixed 2nd Round from 10:00–21:30
• Badminton : Singles and doubles disciplines – preliminary rounds from 10:00–20:00
• Archery : Qualification & Team Eliminations from 09:00–19:35
• Artistic Gymnastics : Men's Team Final & Individual Qualification Day 1 from 10:00–21:43
• Volleyball : Men's semifinals & women's placement games from 11:00–22:30
• Basketball : Women's Quarterfinals & Men's Placement Rounds from 12:00–22:00
• Water Polo : Women's Quarterfinals from 12:45–19:45

The competitions will be broadcast free of charge via live stream on FISU.TV will also broadcast the highlights on TV and online at sportschau.de . This makes it easy to follow the competitions from home or on the go.

Those wishing to attend the Games in person can purchase tickets for individual sports via the official World University Games website . Single tickets, day tickets, and multi-day packages are available—some at discounted rates for students and groups. Tickets are also available for the closing ceremony on July 27.