Chungcheong Megacity announced as host of 2027 FISU World University Games Summer

Meeting in Brussels today, the Executive Committee of FISU attributed the hosting of the summer edition of the 2027 FISU World University Games to Chungcheong, Korea. The decision followed a rigorous selection process that saw Chungcheong vie with North Carolina for the chance to host FISU’s flagship event.

Both candidates had submitted very strong proposals. FISU’s visits to both potential hosts had revealed excellent facilities, widespread support and cultures of university sport excellence.  

“FISU offers its sincere congratulations to Chungcheong. Korea has a proud tradition of university sport and will, I am sure, be an ideal place for the world’s best university athletes to come together in peaceful celebration in the summer of 2027,” said FISU Acting President Leonz Eder. “Chungcheong 2027 has the potential to be a very special FISU World University Games, making a lasting contribution to university sport.” 

The Chungcheong 2027 FISU World University Games will be held for 18 sports across 31 venues. 30 of these either currently exist, are already planned or will be temporary. The candidacy demonstrated a carefully-considered approach to legacy that has already seen the facilities of the Gwangju 2015 FISU World University Games become widely used and appreciated.  

“All of us who have worked so hard to make our candidacy successful are beyond delighted. This opportunity means so much to Korean university sport and to Chungcheong. This will be the first major event to be hosted in our megacity and we are certain we will deliver an excellent FISU World University Games,” said Yoon-suk Kim, Secretary General of the Chungcheong 2027 Bid Committee.  

“The choice of Chungcheong as host of the 2027 FISU World University Games was a close decision and this reflects the strength of both candidates,” said FISU Secretary General Eric Saintrond. “FISU and university sport are clear winners today, as shown by our ability to attract such strong attention for the hosting of our events. For many years, FISU has taken a sustainable approach to major events, starting with the principle of using existing venues or venues that are already planned by local authorities as part of a long-term strategy for the area. It is an approach that is clearly working, with FISU now being widely understood as having an attractive proposition for potential hosts.” 

“While FISU could only name one host for the 2027 FISU World University Games today, FISU is deeply grateful to both candidates for their commitment to international university sport,” added Leonz Eder. “While Chungcheong is today’s choice for 2027, we would be delighted to have North Carolina as a host for the FISU World University Games in the future at the first available opportunity. FISU would like to thank both candidates for their professionalism and for the sporting way in which they have conducted themselves throughout the process.” 

The FISU World University Games have been successfully hosted since 1959, where they debuted in Torino. Forthcoming hosts already working to deliver the FISU World University Games are Lake Placid and Chengdu for 2023, followed by Torino and the Rhine-Ruhr region in 2025.