CHENGDU, China, Aug. 27, 2025 -- A report from Chengdu Economic Daily: The World Games 2025 Chengdu (TWG 2025 Chengdu) took place from August 7 to 17, 2025. As the premier international multi-sport event for non-Olympic sports, it drew 6,679 athletes and officials from 116 countries and regions, making this edition the largest and most attended in the history of the World Games.
José Perurena, President of the International World Games Association (IWGA), expressed heartfelt appreciation: "Thank you, Chengdu—you've made history!" Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung noted that China has set a benchmark for the next host nation, Germany, with an organizational standard rivaling that of the Olympic Games.
Using Sports to Energize the City: Events Ignite Urban Vitality
Adhering to the 31st FISU Summer World University Games' philosophy of "simple and splendid" throughout the organizing and hosting of the event, TWG 2025 made full use of its legacy infrastructure. No new venues were built for the event. Among the 27 competition venues, 18 were existing facilities repurposed for new uses, while 9 were temporary installations set up in parks or alongside lakes—seven of which will remain in public use after the Games.
The event has catalyzed substantial progress in public fitness across Chengdu. Since the city began preparing for the event, it has hosted more than 5,000 public sports events annually. The number of regular participants in physical activity has surpassed 9.8 million, with over 95% of residents meeting the national physical fitness standards. The TWG Sports into Communities initiative reached more than 600 communities, attracting over 120,000 participants, while 120 local schools have introduced sports such as lacrosse and frisbee. From roller-skating rinks beneath overpasses and fitness trails in parks to badminton courts next to residential areas, the city's "forgotten corners" have been turned into vibrant spaces for public exercise.
Unlocking New Synergies: Where Sports, Culture, Commerce, and Tourism Meet
TWG 2025 Chengdu has pioneered a new model for the integrated development of culture, commerce, tourism, and sports. The event set an all-time high in market development revenue, securing partnerships with 26 sponsoring enterprises and 33 donor companies, while launching more than 500 licensed merchandise products. Moreover, the Games significantly boosted international visitor arrivals, with inbound foreign tourists reaching 69,000 during the event—a 72.5% year-on-year increase. Notably, tourist numbers from Germany surged by 4.2 times, Spain by 3.8 times, and Tanzania by 3.1 times. According to Douyin's Life Services data, group purchase transactions in Chengdu rose by 50.8% during the World Games, while catering and dining payment volumes saw an increase of nearly 60% year-on-year.
Especially worth highlighting is the "ticket-stub economy" model Chengdu has introduced, where event ticket holders enjoyed 50% off admission to ten major scenic areas, cultural venues, and museums, as well as exclusive discounts ranging from 30% to 80% at 56 partner hotels. This innovative "One Ticket Unlocks a Wide Range of Experiences" model ensured that the economic benefits of the event truly extended to both residents and visitors.
International Acclaim Pours In as Chengdu Shines on the World Stage
During the event, Chengdu received high recognition from various parties. Robert "Nob" Rauch, President of the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF), hailed the Chengdu Sport University venue as "one of the finest we have ever seen." Aruba's flag bearer, Rob Timmermans, won the hearts of Chinese social media users with his radiant positivity, drawing an outpouring of warm wishes from netizens. Italian athletes took a special liking to traditional rope-braided bracelets, while their counterparts from Cyprus found themselves enchanted by Chinese aromatic incense. The panda-inspired medal "Zhuguang," which literally translates to "bamboo light," emerged as a cherished keepsake among competitors.
Following the success of TWG 2025, several international sports organizations have established a presence in Chengdu. The IWGA has officially established its Sports Promotion and Research Center in the city, while the TWG Disc Golf Park was unveiled in the Guixi Ecological Park. Furthermore, Chengdu has reached a consensus on preparing for the 2027 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships and the World DanceSport Games, and is actively bidding for other prestigious events, including the 2026 Asia-Oceania Sixes Lacrosse Championship and the Archery World Cup from 2029 to 2031.
Currently, 315 Fortune 500 companies have settled in Chengdu. The city's network of international sister cities and friendly cooperative partnerships has expanded to 244. Additionally, Chengdu's international freight trains have made over 32,000 trips. Through these events, Chengdu continues to engage in dialogue with the world. Each gathering centered around sports helps advance exchange and mutual learning among civilizations, allowing the city to shine ever more brightly on the international stage.
