South Korea lands 2027 FISU flagship event

Article posted by Coliseum, November 23^rd, 2022

Image: FISU

Meeting in Brussels on November 12^th, the Executive Committee of International University Sports Federation (FISU) attributed the hosting of the Summer edition of the 2027 FISU World University Games to Chungcheong, South Korea. The decision followed a rigorous selection process that saw Chungcheong vie with North Carolina (US) for the chance to host FISU’s flagship event.

‘FISU’ stated that 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.

Lausanne, Switzerland-based the International University Sports Federation (FISU) is responsible for the organization and governance of worldwide sports competitions for student-athletes between the ages of 17 and 25.

Apply for membership

Said FISU Acting President Leonz Eder, “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. 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. Thirty 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 (South Korea) 2015 FISU World University Games become widely used and appreciated.

Remarked Yoon-suk Kim, Secretary General of the Chungcheong 2027 Bid Committee, “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.”

Shared Eric Saintrond, FISU Secretary General, “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. 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.”

Added Eder, “While FISU could only name one host for the 2027 FISU World University Games today (November 12^th), FISU is deeply grateful to both candidates for their commitment to international university sport. 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.”

‘FISU’ further stated that the FISU World University Games have been successfully hosted since 1959, where they debuted in Torino (Italy). Forthcoming hosts already working to deliver the FISU World University Games are Lake Placid (New York, US) and Chengdu (China) for 2023, followed by Torino and the Rhine-Ruhr region (Germany) in 2025.

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

Watch 250 member-exclusive videos with valuable tips for your venue