📌 Table of Contents
- What Are the World Games?
- Chengdu 2025: Host City & Venues
- Disciplines & New Sports in 2025
- Top Sports to Watch
- Teams & Athletes to Follow
- Broadcasting & How to Watch
- Why the World Games Matter
- Conclusion
What Are the World Games?
The International World Games Association (IWGA) organizes The World Games—an international multi-sport event held every four years since 1981, focusing on sports not included in the Olympic programme. Recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the IWGA aims to elevate lesser-known sports and their athletes through global exposure.
Rather than Olympic disciplines, The World Games spotlight non-Olympic sports—such as tug of war, parkour or flying disc—with athletes often qualifying via world championships conducted by their international federations. For many participants, becoming a World Games champion is the pinnacle of their sporting career.
The 2025 edition in Chengdu, China—the 12th overall—is scheduled for 7–17 August 2025, with around 5,000 athletes from approximately 118 countries competing across 253 medal events in 34 sports.
🔗 More on the 2025 World Games (Wikipedia)
Chengdu 2025: Host City & Venues
Chengdu—a dynamic megacity in southwest China—will host the 12th edition of the World Games from August 7 to 17, 2025. It marks the first time this international multi-sport event takes place on mainland Chinese soil.
With a population exceeding 20 million, Chengdu is no stranger to staging world-class sporting events. Many of the venues prepared for the 2021 Summer World University Games (FISU Games) will now serve the World Games, offering sustainable and cost-efficient infrastructure.
The Dong’an Lake Sports Park Stadium, with a capacity of 40,000, will host major events such as the closing ceremony and tug of war finals. Meanwhile, the Tianfu International Convention Centre is slated for the opening ceremony and indoor sports like powerlifting and cue sports.
| District | Main Venues | Key Sports |
|---|---|---|
| Longquanyi | Dong’an Lake Sports Park, Sancha Lake Campus, Qinglong Lake | Archery, Cheerleading, Flying Disc |
| Tianfu New Area | Convention Centre, Hi-Tech Zone Sport Centre | Parkour, Gymnastics, Powerlifting, Billiards |
| Xindu, Wuhou, Jianyang, Jinniu, Eastern New Area | Various District Arenas | Roller Skating, Muaythai, Martial Arts, Softball, Orienteering, Powerboating |
The venues are connected by Chengdu’s expanding metro and high-speed rail network, ensuring smooth logistics for athletes and spectators alike.
🔗 Official venue info via Wikipedia
Disciplines & New Sports in 2025
The World Games 2025 in Chengdu will feature a comprehensive lineup of 35 sports, covering around 60 disciplines and 253 medal events. These sports span traditional strength competitions, artistic and precision disciplines, team sports, martial arts, and modern trend categories.
Organised by the International World Games Association (IWGA) and supported by the IOC, the programme emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and innovation. Several sports serve as Olympic incubators, while others preserve global traditions.
🆕 New Sports and Disciplines in 2025
The 2025 edition introduces new full sports and disciplines, expanding its reach and visual appeal:
- Cheerleading (Pom discipline) – debuting as a full medal sport
- Powerboating – featuring electric MotoSurf racing
- Sambo – martial art returning after early invitational appearances
- Para Dance Sport – new inclusive category in partnership with IPC
New or redefined disciplines include:
- Dragon Boat (under Canoe sports)
- Point Fighting (Kickboxing)
- Beach Korfball
- Freediving – including para-athlete formats
- Classic Powerlifting (raw category)
- Inline Freestyle (Roller Sports)
- Sanda (combat form of Wushu)
📋 Other Sports and Disciplines on the Programme
In addition to the newly introduced and highlighted disciplines above, the World Games 2025 will also feature a wide range of returning and established sports:
- Air Sports: Drone Racing
- Archery: Field Barebow, Recurve, Compound
- Beach Handball
- Billiard Sports: Carom, Pool, Snooker
- Boules Sports: Lyonnaise, Petanque
- Canoe Sports: Canoe Marathon, Canoe Polo
- Dance Sport
- Finswimming
- Fistball
- Flag Football
- Gymnastics: Acrobatic, Aerobic, Trampoline, Parkour
- Ju-Jitsu
- Karate: Kata, Kumite
- Kickboxing: K1
- Korfball: Indoor
- Lacrosse: Women’s Sixes
- Lifesaving
- Muaythai
- Orienteering
- Parkour
- Powerlifting
- Racquetball
- Roller Sports: Speed Skating, Inline Hockey
- Softball
- Sport Climbing: Speed, Speed Relay
- Squash
- Tug of War
- Underwater Sports: Finswimming
- Wakeboarding
- Wushu: Taolu
The complete and current programme is maintained on the official IWGA site.
Top Sports to Watch
While every discipline at the World Games offers a unique experience, several stand out for their global following, visual appeal, and competitive drama. Here are some of the most anticipated sports at Chengdu 2025:
🏃 Parkour
Making its full medal debut, parkour will feature both freestyle and speed events. Athletes navigate urban-style obstacle courses using acrobatic moves, wall flips, and precision jumps. Originating from street culture, this discipline combines athleticism with artistry and is expected to attract a young, global audience. Events will take place at an outdoor venue in Chengdu’s High-Tech Zone.
💪 Powerlifting (Classic/Raw)
Classic powerlifting—also known as “raw” due to minimal equipment—includes three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. Debuting as a new discipline in 2025, it features 16 medal events across different weight classes. With high-stakes lifts and potential world records, this strength sport offers drama and measurable achievement in every session.
🤼 Tug of War
A crowd favorite, tug of war is steeped in tradition yet delivers edge-of-your-seat intensity. Chengdu will host men’s, women’s, and mixed team competitions. Teams compete on a marked surface using sheer strength, synchronization, and strategy to pull opponents across the center line. The finals, often decided by mere centimeters, are among the most anticipated showdowns.
🥊 Muaythai
Known as the “art of eight limbs,” Muaythai combines punches, kicks, elbows, and knees in full-contact bouts. The sport returns with 12 medal events across men’s and women’s weight classes. Organized by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA), the competition features elite fighters from over 30 nations.
🚁 Drone Racing
One of the most futuristic events, drone racing sees pilots steer high-speed drones through 3D aerial courses using first-person-view goggles. Fast, loud, and highly technical, this sport bridges esports and aviation, appealing to tech-savvy audiences and thrill seekers alike.
Other eye-catching events include beach korfball, artistic roller skating, inline freestyle, and lifesaving. These sports showcase the diversity and innovation at the heart of The World Games.
Teams & Athletes to Follow
While The World Games are largely individual events, several nations and standout athletes consistently draw attention based on past medal performance, international rankings, and rising potential. Here are some of the top teams and individuals to follow during Chengdu 2025:
🇺🇸 Team USA
The United States is expected to send a strong delegation across multiple disciplines including powerlifting, freediving, parkour, and cheerleading. Notable names include top-ranked lifters in the super-heavyweight category and a world-class cheerleading squad with a strong medal history.
🇵🇱 Poland
Poland has built a reputation for excellence in strength sports, particularly tug of war and powerlifting. They have consistently ranked among the top medal nations in past editions and are expected to challenge for multiple podium spots again in 2025.
🇯🇵 Japan
Japan will field elite competitors in martial arts (karate, ju-jitsu, sanda) and technical disciplines like lifesaving and drone racing. Their precision training methods and national investment in non-Olympic sports position them as a serious medal contender.
🏅 Rising Stars & Individual Competitors
- Kelly Cartwright (Australia) – former Paralympic racewalker turned para dance sport pioneer. Her switch in discipline brings both experience and inspirational appeal.
- Felix Neureuther (Germany) – a breakout name in parkour, he claimed the European title in 2024 and enters Chengdu as a favourite in freestyle events.
- Liang Yuan (China) – a rising power in raw powerlifting, especially in the super-heavyweight class. Competing on home soil, he is among the most anticipated local athletes.
Athlete previews and medal updates will be published on the official IWGA website and its social media channels, offering behind-the-scenes stories and live coverage.
Broadcasting & How to Watch
Fans worldwide will be able to follow the World Games 2025 through a mix of broadcast and digital platforms, offering comprehensive coverage for both casual viewers and dedicated enthusiasts.
📺 Television Partners
- Eurosport will provide pan-European coverage, streaming live events and highlights across TV and the Discovery+ app.
- Olympic Channel, backed by the IOC, is expected to carry select events and feature athlete stories across its network and YouTube channel.
- CCTV Sports will broadcast key events within China, including opening and closing ceremonies, via national television and streaming platforms.
💻 Online Streaming & Access
- Discovery+: Live streams available for subscribers in Europe, offering full daily coverage, event replays, and highlights.
- YouTube: Select finals, highlights, and athlete profile videos published post-event on the official Olympic Channel and IWGA channels.
- National sports platforms: Regional broadcasters (e.g., ESPN in the U.S., Kayo in Australia) may secure sublicensing for full matches or highlight packages.
📱 Fan Engagement
Expect real-time social updates, behind-the-scenes reels, and interactive polls via the IWGA Instagram account, supplemented by daily recaps and medal standings on Twitter/X and Facebook.
To ensure global accessibility, allowlist your VPN or visit the official World Games site for schedules, broadcast listings, and streaming links.
Why the World Games Matter
The World Games occupy a unique space in the global sports ecosystem. Unlike the Olympics, which focus on mainstream disciplines, The World Games shine a spotlight on niche, emerging, and culturally significant sports that often operate outside the media mainstream. This diversity is not a limitation—it’s a strength.
🌍 Platform for Non-Olympic Athletes
For many competitors, The World Games are the pinnacle of their athletic careers. With no Olympic equivalent, disciplines like finswimming, lifesaving, or tug of war rely on this event to reach an international audience. The inclusion of para disciplines like para dance and freediving further emphasizes the Games’ commitment to accessibility and representation.
🚀 Springboard for Olympic Inclusion
Several sports that debuted at The World Games later progressed to the Olympics. Trampoline gymnastics, karate, and sport climbing are all examples. The Chengdu edition may accelerate similar pathways for parkour, drone racing, or cheerleading—sports that attract younger, digitally native audiences.
🌱 Sustainability and Innovation
The 2025 Games continue the IWGA’s push toward environmentally conscious competition. Using existing venues from previous events like the FISU Games 2021, and showcasing electric MotoSurf racing under powerboating, the Games reflect a growing alignment with sustainable and tech-forward sports infrastructure.
📣 Global Community and Culture
Beyond medals and records, the World Games promote international understanding and sporting community. With athletes from over 100 countries, including underrepresented regions, the event celebrates athleticism in its most diverse form.
As media coverage expands and digital access improves, The World Games are gaining relevance—not just as a sporting event, but as a cultural moment that reflects the evolving face of global competition.
Conclusion
The World Games 2025 in Chengdu are set to become one of the most dynamic and inclusive sporting events of the year. With over 5,000 athletes from more than 100 nations competing in 35 sports and 60 disciplines, the event showcases not just physical excellence but also cultural diversity and innovation.
From high-intensity action in tug of war and Muaythai to the creative flair of parkour and the futuristic thrill of drone racing, the Games offer something for every kind of sports fan. New disciplines, greater digital reach, and a strong focus on sustainability make Chengdu 2025 more than just a competition—it’s a statement about the future of sport.
Whether you’re tuning in to watch raw powerlifting, cheering for local heroes, or discovering a new sport altogether, the World Games are an invitation to explore the broader world of athletic performance—beyond the Olympic spotlight.
For full schedules, results, and daily updates, visit the official website at theworldgames.org.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the World Games?
The World Games are an international multi-sport event held every four years, featuring disciplines not contested at the Olympic Games. They are organized by the IWGA and supported by the IOC.
When and where will the World Games 2025 take place?
The event will be held from August 7 to August 17, 2025, in Chengdu, China.
How many sports and athletes are participating?
Over 5,000 athletes from more than 100 countries will compete in 35 sports and approximately 60 disciplines across 253 medal events.
How can I watch the World Games 2025?
Broadcast coverage will be available on platforms like Eurosport, Discovery+, and the Olympic Channel. Select highlights will be published on YouTube and social media.
Are any new sports being introduced in 2025?
Yes, Chengdu 2025 will debut sports like cheerleading, powerboating (MotoSurf), para dance sport, and reintroduce Sambo as a full discipline.