Highlights & New Additions at TWG 2025

We hope you are ready for the most transformative edition of the World Games 2025 yet. The highlights feature some incredible new additions, with new robust growth beyond excellence strategy, and the very necessary focus on sustainability. We are also seeing an increased focus on opportunities for para disciplines. Dive right in to the full preview below!

1. New Sports Making Their Debut

Chengdu 2025 has introduced some intriguing new sports, driving the Games into exciting new directions:

Cheerleading (Pom discipline), this one is now in the limelight for us, as it enters the formal sports programme for the first time. Powerboating, in the form of MotoSurf racing, will feature two individual competitions and a mixed team "Nations Cup." Two para sports debut, namely, the Para Ju‑jitsu, a part of Ju‑jitsu with three new events introduced for physically, mentally, and visually impaired athletes, and Para Freediving, with six new events for impaired athletes. These new sports introduced are an indication of the diversity and inclusion policy of IWGA.

2. Beyond Excellence Growth Strategy Unveiled

For the first time ever in history, TWG 2025 is embracing the IWGA "Growth Beyond Excellence" strategy completely. This new foundational framework frame of the next decade.

The provision raises the limit on actors permitted, increasing numbers from 4,200 to 5,000. It covers 4,000 actors via IWGA Member coalitions, 400 from the Host City allocation, 400 for IOC-related sports, and 200 for para sports outside of the Paralympic Games programs.

This trouble highlights a deliberate expansion of commitment to invention and inclusiveness in the Games.

3. Sustainability at the Core

Chengdu’s organising commission and IWGA have assured that sustainability is a guiding principle

former World Games since 1981 have emphasised reusing INSIG architectures. Chengdu 2025 continues this tradition by counting on being or temporary venues, minimising environmental footmark.

Their Sustainability Plan, launched in July 2025, emphasises a zerorelianceon new venues( 27 competition venues 12 being inner, 6 upgraded, 9 temporary), green, low- carbon operations, upgradedvenues erected to green structure norms, host- Games heritage use through sports- for- all structure, robust waste operation systems, and civic revitalisation via event structure and public engagement

IWGA praised Chengdu for setting a new standard with the largest and most inclusive edition, hostingover 6,600 actors and introducing sustainable practices.

4. Inclusive Para Disciplines in the Limelight

Inclusivity comes naturally with the Chengdu edition

For Para Ju-Jitsu, there are three impairment-based competitions besides regular ju-jitsu.

For Freediving, a new sport to the Games, introduces six events across gender and impairment orders.

These eliminations are a component of the 200-person allocation within the Growth Beyond Excellence framework, emphasising increased representation.

5. Other Celebrated Highlights

The Chengdu competition will include 34 sports, 60 disciplines, and 256 order events, so its scope and scale are now complete.

Drone racing is back, conducted on a unique panda-shaped track at Dong'an Lake Stadium for added uniqueness.

Freestyle inline skating comes into the combined sports with four order events.

Summary Table

Area	Highlights
New Sports	Cheerleading, Powerboating, Para Ju-jitsu, Para Freediving
Growth Strategy	Participant quota raised to 5,000 under “Growth Beyond Excellence”
Sustainability	Venues are being reused, low-carbon operations, green construction, and legacy planning
Para Inclusion	3 Para Ju-jitsu events + 6 Para Freediving events
Scale of the Games	We see 34 sports that span across 60 disciplines, with 256 medal events
Visual Innovation	Panda-shaped drone course, Inline skating debut

Final Thoughts

World Games 2025 represent a bold step forward, embracing new sports, sustainability, equity, and inclusion. From innovative disciplines like cheerleading and MotoSurf to thoughtful legacy planning via the "Growth Beyond Excellence" strategy, Chengdu’s TWG promises to set a new benchmark.