World Games 2025 Guide: Schedule, Venue & Streaming

The bi-annual World Games 2025, or Chengdu 2025, are to take place in the year and come with a list of things to look forward to. These are the 12th edition of the premier-level international event that features non-Olympic sports. 

The games are a central part of world sport, as testified to by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition of the games. It is organized by the International World Games Association (IWGA). The games can be thought of as a complement to the Olympics as they feature special sports and athletes we do not get to witness at the Olympics.

Dates & Host City

The opening was on the 6th of August, competition from the 7th to the 17th of August, and some preliminaries on the 6th of August.

The competition this year will take place in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, the first time mainland China has been the host of the World Game.

Chengdu is a deliberate choice, it has a stunning combination of cultural sophistication, urban amenities, and well, a love of sport. This makes it a perfect choice to host this multi-sport spectacle.

Sports & Events

Sports Included

The 2025 program will feature a record 60 disciplines and 34 sports. We will therefore have a total of 253 medal events. The sports we expect we will have include, but are not limited to, cheerleading, powerboating, para freediving, para ju-jitsu and several others, therefore having so much to look forward to as it represents a modern and inclusive trend. 

Noteworthy Sports

• Fistball: This will be held at Tianfu Park from 9–13 August
• Floorball: This will be the debut for the women’s competition, and will be hosted at Xindu Xiangcheng Sports Centre from 6–13 August
• Squash: Scheduled 8–12 August at Chengdu Hi‑Tech Zone Sports Centre.
• Disc Golf: Mixed team event at Guixi Park running 8–10 August
• Flying Disc (Ultimate): Played between 12–16 August at Chengdu Sport University Sancha Lake Campus

Other sports including archery, tug of war, martial arts, aerobics, and racquet sports are supported by multiple zones across Longquanyi, Tianfu, Wuhou, Xindu, and Jianyang districts. Venues include Dong’an Lake Sports Park, Tianfu International Convention Centre, and multiple specialized arenas.

Schedule & Ceremonies

• Opening Ceremony: 6 August at Tianfu International Convention Centre
• Competitions: 7–17 August across multiple venues
• Closing Ceremony: 17 August at World Horticultural Expo Park

The venues make it easy to access as they integrate Chengdu’s metro and transport infrastructure.

Where to Watch & Live Streaming

Official Global Platform: The World Games Live

The IWGA has launched The World Games Live, a dedicated free streaming and video-on-demand (VoD) platform hosted in partnership with ISB. It provides live coverage of all competitions, Opening & Closing ceremonies, and medal ceremonies.

Additional Streaming Options

• The Olympic Channel via Olympics.com will stream select events and highlights, subject to regional restrictions.
• Broadcast partners like tapmad will carry coverage depending on the region.

Schedule in Brief

Date	Event
6 August 2025	Opening Ceremony
7–17 August 2025	Competitions (some disciplines start 6 August)
17 August 2025	Closing Ceremony

 

Cultural & Competitive Significance

Chengdu 2025 epitomizes the future of multi-sport events through:

• Showcasing non-Olympic sports and para disciplines for broader inclusion
• Launching emerging disciplines like cheerleading and electronic sports
• Promoting youth engagement with dynamic and high-energy sports like drone racing and parkour

This will be a significant milestone, being hosted in mainland China, with a staggering 5000 athletes from approximately 118 countries participating. This will be a step in the right direction of entering the traditional four-year cycle, which had been disturbed by the pandemic.

Final Thoughts

Conclusively, it is safe to say that the World Games 2025 in Chengdu have much to offer and  promise a rich tapestry of sports, culture, and global engagement. The interesting new venues, the diverse collection of sports, and of course, the inclusive streaming access (like The World Games), it's set to be one of the most immersive and forward-looking editions yet.