9,200 athletes to compete in 2025 Games from the World University of Fisu

The Rhine-Ruhr region in Germany will welcome more than 9,200 athletes from more than 150 nations as the 2025 World Fisu University Games officially open on Wednesday, July 16.

This marks the greatest participation in the history of the Summer Edition of the Games.

“Never before the summer editions of the Fisu games saw so many participants,” the organizers confirmed in a statement, underlining the event scale.

The games will cover six places in two federal states, North Rhine-Westphaly and Berlin, and will have a wide range of sports, cultural activities and academic exchange.

The event also serves as a launch platform for many athletes that then compete at the Olympic level.

Germany will be represented by its largest delegation in history: 305 athletes and 177 team officials.

Dr. Christiane Schenderlein, Minister of Sports State and volunteer, praised the years of preparation behind the event.

“The Organizing Committee, with more than 600 independent employees and workers, deserves our recognition. They experience a great challenge in the delivery of such a large -scale event and multiple sites,” he said.

He also emphasized the values integrated into the games. “This will be a Festival of International University Sports, Sciences and Community, susceptible to sustainable, inclusive and with joy.”

Jörg Förster, president of the General Sports Association of the German University, highlighted the symbolic importance of the historical size of the German team. “It reflects the growing meaning of students’ elite sports in Germany and the strength of collaboration behind this effort.”

Niklas Börger, who directs the Organizing Committee, described the event “The result of the great teamwork” and pointed out his role in showing the passion and capacity of the region beyond athletics.