View source for FISU World University Games

{{More citations needed|date=August 2025}}
{{Short description|International multi-sport event for university athletes}}
{{distinguish|FISU World University Championships}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name               = FISU World University Games
| native_name        = 
| native_name_lang   = 
| logo               = AIN logo.png
| logo_caption       = The flag of the [[International University Sports Federation]] flag since 2021
| image              = 
| caption            = 
| status             = Active
| genre              = Sporting event
| date               = 
| begins             = 
| ends               = 
| frequency          = Biennial
| venue              = 
| location           = Various
| coordinates        = 
| country            = 
| years_active       = 
| first              = {{Start date|1959|df=y}} (Summer)<br />{{Start date|1960|df=y}} (Winter)
| founder_name       = 
| last               = 
| prev               = 
| next               = 
| participants       = 
| attendance         = 
| area               = 
| budget             = 
| activity           = 
| patron             = 
| organised          = [[International University Sports Federation|FISU]]
| filing             = 
| people             = 
| member             = 
| sponsor            = 
| website            = {{URL|https://www.fisu.net/fisu-events/|fisu.net}}
| footnotes          = 
}}
[[File:FISU flag2.svg|thumb|Former flag of International University Sports Federation]]

The '''FISU World University Games''', formerly the '''Universiade''', is an international [[multi-sport event]], organized for [[university]] athletes by the [[International University Sports Federation]] (FISU). The former name is a [[Blend word|portmanteau]] of the words "University" and "[[Olympiad]]".

The Universiade is referred to in English as the '''World University Games''' or '''World Student Games'''; however, this latter term can also refer to competitions for sub-University grades students. In July 2020 as part of a new branding system by the FISU, it was stated that the Universiade was to be officially branded as the '''FISU World University Games'''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pavitt|first=Michael|date=28 July 2020|title=FISU finalises naming system for events|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1096783/fisu-finalises-naming-system-for-events|access-date=19 April 2021|website=insidethegames.biz}}</ref>

The most recent summer event was the [[2025 Summer World University Games]] held in [[Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region|Rhine-Ruhr region]], Germany held from 16-27 July 2025, while the most recent winter event was the [[2025 Winter World University Games]] held in [[Turin]], Italy from 13 to 21 January 2025.

== Precursors ==
[[File:Fotothek df roe-neg 0006159 005 Blick auf das Spielfeld und die Zuschauertribüne.jpg|thumb|right|A student football match held at the 3rd World Festival of Youth and Students]]
[[File:Unversiade DU89 02.jpg|thumb|During the [[1989 Summer Universiade]]]]
[[File:SZ Tour 深圳園博園 Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park sign 2011 Summer Universiade a.jpg|thumb|During the [[2011 Summer Universiade]]]]

The idea of a global international sports competition between [[student-athlete]]s pre-dates the 1949 formation of the [[International University Sports Federation]] (FISU), which now hosts the Universiade, and even the first World University Games held in 1923. English peace campaigner [[Hodgson Pratt]] was an early advocate of such an event, proposing (and passing) a motion at the 1891 [[Universal Peace Congress]] in Rome to create a series of international student conferences in rotating host capital cities, with activities including art and sport. This did not come to pass, but a similar event was created in Germany in 1909 in the form of the Academic Olympia. Five editions were held from 1909 to 1913, all of which were hosted in Germany following the cancellation of an Italy-based event.<ref name=DB>Bell, Daniel (2003). ''Encyclopedia of International Games''. McFarland and Company, Inc. Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina. {{ISBN|0-7864-1026-4}}.</ref>
[[File:2017臺北世界大學運動會開幕典禮 12.jpg|thumb|Opening ceremony of the [[2017 Summer Universiade]]]]
At the start of the 20th century, Jean Petitjean of France began attempting to organise a "University Olympic Games". After discussion with [[Pierre de Coubertin]], the founder of the modern Olympic Games, Petitjean was convinced not to use the word "Olympic" in the tournament's name.<ref name="DB" /> Petitjean, and later the [[Confederation Internationale des Etudiants]] (CIE), was the first to build a series of international events, beginning with the [[1923 International Universities Championships]]. This was followed by the renamed [[1924 Summer Student World Championships]] a year later and two further editions were held in 1927 and 1928. Another name change resulted in the [[1930 International University Games]]. The CIE's International University Games was held four more times in the 1930s before having its final edition in 1947.<ref name="PU">[http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/wsg.htm World Student Games (pre-Universiade)]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2010-12-10.</ref><ref>[http://www.fisu.net/en/FISU-history-3171.html FISU History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119013123/http://fisu.net/en/FISU-history-3171.html |date=19 January 2017 }}. FISU. Retrieved on 2014-12-09.</ref>

[[National Socialist German Students' League|A separate group]] organised [[1939 International University Games (Vienna)|an alternative university games]] in 1939 in [[Vienna]], in post-[[Anschluss]] Germany.<ref name=PU/> The onset of [[World War II]] ceased all major international student sport activities and the aftermath also led to division among the movement, as the CIE was disbanded and rival organisations emerged. The ''[[Union Internationale des Étudiants]]'' (UIE) incorporated a university sports games into the [[World Festival of Youth and Students]] from 1947 to 1962, including one separate, unofficial games in 1954. This event principally catered for Eastern European countries.<ref>[http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/uie.htm World Student Games (UIE)]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2014-12-09.</ref>

After the closure of the CIE and the creation of the first UIE-organised games, FISU came into being in 1949 and held its own first major student sport event the same year in the form of the [[1949 Summer International University Sports Week]]. The Sports Week was held biennially until 1955. Like the CIE's games before it, the FISU events were initially Western-led sports competitions.<ref name=PU/>

Division between the largely Western European FISU and Eastern European UIE eventually began to dissipate among broadened participation at the [[1957 World University Games]]. This event was not directly organised by either group, instead being organised by Jean Petitjean in France (which remained neutral to the split), but all respective nations from the groups took part. The FISU-organised Universiade became the direct successor to this competition, maintaining the biennial format into the inaugural [[1959 Universiade]]. It was not until the 1957 World University Games that the Soviet Union began to compete in FISU events. That same year, what had previously been a European competition became a truly global one, with the inclusion of Brazil, Japan and the United States among the competing nations. The increased participation ultimately led to the establishment of the Universiade as the primary global student sport championship.<ref name=DB/><ref name=PU/>

===Precursor events===
Not recognized by [[FISU]] as Universiade or World University Games:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left; font-size:90%"
|+ Precursor events
|-
!#||Year||width=550|Event||Body||width=200|Host city||width=200|Host country
|-
| align=center|1 || align=center|[[1923 International Universities Championships|1923]] || [[International Universities Championships]] || CIE || [[Paris]] || {{flag|French Third Republic|name=France}}
|- 
| align=center|2 || align=center|[[1924 Summer Student World Championships|1924]] || [[Summer Student World Championships]] || CIE || [[Warsaw]] || {{flag|Second Polish Republic|1919|name=Poland}}
|-
| align=center|3 || align=center|[[1927 Summer Student World Championships|1927]] || Summer Student World Championships || CIE || [[Rome]] || {{flag|Fascist Italy (1922–1943)|name=Italy}}
|-
| align=center|4 || align=center|[[1928 Summer Student World Championships|1928]] || Summer Student World Championships || CIE || [[Paris]] || {{flag|French Third Republic|name=France}}
|-
| align=center|5 || align=center|[[1930 International University Games|1930]] || [[International University Games]] || CIE || [[Darmstadt]] || {{flag|Weimar Republic|name=Germany}}
|-
| align=center|6 || align=center|[[1933 International University Games|1933]] || International University Games || CIE || [[Turin]] || {{flag|Fascist Italy (1922–1943)|name=Italy}}
|-
| align=center|7 || align=center|[[1935 International University Games|1935]] || International University Games || CIE || [[Budapest]] || {{flag|Kingdom of Hungary (1920–1946)|name=Hungary}}
|-
| align=center|8 || align=center|[[1937 International University Games|1937]] || International University Games || CIE || [[Paris]] || {{flag|French Third Republic|name=France}}
|-
| align=center|9 || align=center|[[1939 International University Games|1939]] || International University Games || CIE || [[Monte Carlo]] || {{MCO}}
|-
| align=center|10 || align=center|[[1939 International University Games (Vienna)|1939]] || International University Games || NSDStB || [[Vienna]] || {{flag|Nazi Germany|name=Germany}}
|-
| align=center|11 || align=center|[[1947 International University Games|1947]] || International University Games || CIE || [[Paris]] || {{flag|French Fourth Republic|name=France}}
|-
| align=center|12 || align=center|[[1947 World Festival of Youth and Students|1947]] || [[World Festival of Youth and Students]] || UIE || [[Prague]] || {{flag|Czechoslovakia}}
|-
| align=center|13 || align=center|[[1949 World Festival of Youth and Students|1949]] || World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || [[Budapest]] || {{flag|Second Hungarian Republic|name=Hungary}}
|-
| align=center|14 || align=center|[[1949 Summer International University Sports Week|1949]] || [[Summer International University Sports Week]] || FISU || [[Merano]] || {{ITA}}
|-
| align=center|15 || align=center|[[1951 World Festival of Youth and Students|1951]] || [[World Festival of Youth and Students]] || UIE || [[East Berlin]] || {{flag|East Germany|1949}}
|-
| align=center|16 || align=center|[[1951 Summer International University Sports Week|1951]] || Summer International University Sports Week || FISU || [[Luxembourg City|Luxembourg]] || {{LUX}}
|-
| align=center|17 || align=center|[[1953 World Festival of Youth and Students|1953]] || World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || [[Bucharest]] || {{flag|Socialist Republic of Romania|1952|name=Romania}}
|-
| align=center|18 || align=center|[[1953 Summer International University Sports Week|1953]] || Summer International University Sports Week || FISU || [[Dortmund]] || {{flag|West Germany}}
|-
| align=center|19 || align=center|[[1955 World Festival of Youth and Students|1955]] || World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || [[Warsaw]] || {{flag|Polish People's Republic|name=Poland}}
|-
| align=center|20 || align=center|[[1955 Summer International University Sports Week|1955]] || Summer International University Sports Week || FISU || [[San Sebastián]] || {{flag|Spain|1945}}
|-
| align=center|21 || align=center|[[1957 World Festival of Youth and Students|1957]] || World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || [[Moscow]] ||{{flag|Soviet Union|1955}}
|-
| align=center|22 || align=center|[[1957 World University Games|1957]] ||[[World University Games]]  || PUC ||[[Paris]] || {{flag|French Fourth Republic|name=France}}
|-
| align=center|23 || align=center|[[1959 World Festival of Youth and Students|1959]]|| World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || [[Vienna]] || {{AUT}}
|-
| align=center|24 || align=center|[[1962 World Festival of Youth and Students|1962]]|| World Festival of Youth and Students || UIE || [[Helsinki]] || {{FIN}}
|}

==Editions==
===Summer Games===
{{location map+|Earth
|float=center
|width=1000
|caption=Locations of host cities of the Summer World University Games (excluding those in Europe)
|places=
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=-30.033056|long=-51.23|label='''[[Porto Alegre|1963]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=35.683333|long=139.683333|label='''[[Tokyo|1967]]'''|position=top}} 
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=19.433333|long=-99.133333|label='''[[Mexico City|1979]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=53.533333|long=-113.5|label='''[[Edmonton|1983]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=34.69|long=135.195556|label='''[[Kobe|1985]]'''|position=right}} 
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=42.904722|long=-78.849444|label='''[[Buffalo, New York|1993]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=33.583333|long=130.4|label='''[[Fukuoka|1995]]'''|position=bottom}} 
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=39.916667|long=116.383333|label='''[[Beijing|2001]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=35.866667|long= 128.6|label='''[[Daegu|2003]]'''|position=top}} 
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=13.75|long= 100.466667|label='''[[Bangkok|2007]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=22.55|long=114.1|label='''[[Shenzhen|2011]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=35.159444|long=126.8525|label='''[[Gwangju|2015]]'''|position=left}} 
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=25.033333|long=121.633333|label='''[[Taipei|2017]]'''|position=right}} 
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=30.657|long= 104.066|label='''[[Chengdu|2021]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=36.5994 |long=126.6628|label='''[[Chungcheong Province|2027]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|lat=35.63346251916252|long=-79.0177118481725|label='''[[Research Triangle|2029]]'''}}
}}

{{location map+|Europe
|float=center
|width=600
|caption=Locations of host cities of the Summer World University Games (in Europe)
|places=
{{Location map~|Europe|position=bottom|lat=45.066667|long=7.7|label='''[[Turin|1959,1970]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=42.7|long=23.33|label='''[[Sofia|1961, 1977]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=47.4|long=19.051389|label='''[[Budapest|1965]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=55.75|long=37.616667|label='''[[Moscow|1973]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=41.9|long=12.5|label='''[[Rome|1975]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=44.4325|long=26.103889|label='''[[Bucharest|1981]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=45.816667|long=15.983333|label='''[[Zagreb|1987]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=bottom|lat=51.435147|long=6.762692|label='''[[Duisburg|1989]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=51.233333|long=6.783333|label='''[[Rhine-Ruhr|2025]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=53.383611|long=-1.466944|label='''[[Sheffield|1991]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=37.5|long=15.090278|label='''[[Sicily|1997]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=39.566667|long=2.65|label='''[[Palma de Mallorca|1999]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=38.433333|long= 27.15|label='''[[İzmir|2005]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=44.816667|long= 20.466667|label='''[[Belgrade|2009]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|lat=55.783333|long=49.116667|label='''[[Kazan|2013]]'''|position=top}} 
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=40.833333|long=14.25|label='''[[Naples|2019]]'''}}
}}

{|class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; text-align:center;"
|+Overview of Summer World University Games{{Sfn|FISU Summer|2025}}
|-
! rowspan="2"|Year
! rowspan="2"|Edition
! rowspan="2"|Host
! rowspan="2"|Games dates /<br/>Opened by
! rowspan="2"|Sports
! colspan="3"|Competitors
! rowspan="2"|Events
! rowspan="2"|Nations
! rowspan="2"|Top nation
|-
! Total
! Men
! Women
|-
|{{sort|01|[[1959 Summer Universiade|1]]}}
|1959
|align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Turin)"|{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Turin]]
|26 August – 6 September 1959<br />[[President of Italy|President]] [[Giovanni Gronchi]]
|7
|985
|865
|120
|60
|45
|{{flagIOC2|ITA|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|02|[[1961 Summer Universiade|2]]}}
|1961
|align=left data-sort-value="Bulgaria (Sofia)"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1948}} [[Sofia]]
|26 August – 3 September 1961<br />[[List of heads of state of Bulgaria|Chairman]] [[Dimitar Ganev]]
|9
|1,270
|899
|371
|68
|32
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|03|[[1963 Summer Universiade|3]]}}
|1963
|align=left data-sort-value="Brazil (Porto Alegre)"|{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Porto Alegre]]
|30 August – 8 September 1963<br />[[Ministry of Education (Brazil)|Minister]] [[Paulo de Tarso Santos]]
|9
|713
|565
|148
|79
|27
|{{flagIOC2|HUN|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|04|[[1965 Summer Universiade|4]]}}
|1965
|align=left data-sort-value="Hungary (Budapest)"|{{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Budapest]]
|20–30 August 1965<br />[[List of heads of state of Hungary|Chairman]] [[István Dobi]]
|9
|1,729
|1,290
|439
|73
|32
|{{flagIOC2|HUN|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|05|[[1967 Summer Universiade|5]]}}
|1967
|align=left data-sort-value="Japan (Tokyo)"|{{flagicon|Japan|1947}} [[Tokyo]]
|27 August – 4 September 1967<br />[[Emperor of Japan|Emperor]] [[Hirohito]]
|10
|938
|698
|240
|87
|36
|{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|06|[[1970 Summer Universiade|6]]}}
|1970
|align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Turin)"|{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Turin]]{{efn|Originally scheduled for [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]] in 1969.}}
|26 August – 6 September 1970<br />[[President of Italy|President]] [[Giuseppe Saragat]]
|9
|2,084
|1,542
|542
|81
|58
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|07|[[1973 Summer Universiade|7]]}}
|1973
|align=left data-sort-value="Soviet Union (Moscow)"|{{flagicon|Soviet Union}} [[Moscow]]
|16–26 August 1973<br />[[List of heads of state of the Soviet Union|Chairman]] [[Leonid Brezhnev]] 
|10
|2,277
|1634
|643
|111
|70
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|08|[[1975 Summer Universiade|8]]}}
|1975
|align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Rome)"|{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Rome]]{{efn|Originally scheduled for [[Belgrade]], [[Yugoslavia]].}} 
|18–21 August 1975<br />[[President of Italy|President]] [[Giovanni Leone]]
|1{{efn|Only [[Athletics (sport)|athletics]] was featured.}}
|468
|336
|132
|35
|38
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|09|[[1977 Summer Universiade|9]]}}
|1977
|align=left data-sort-value="Bulgaria (Sofia)"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Sofia]]
|17–28 August 1977<br />[[List of heads of state of Bulgaria|President]] [[Todor Zhivkov]]
|10
|2,939
|2,071
|868
|101
|78
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|10|[[1979 Summer Universiade|10]]}}
|1979
|align=left data-sort-value="Mexico (Mexico City)"|{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Mexico City]]
|2–13 September 1979<br />[[President of Mexico|President]] [[José López Portillo]] 
|10
|2,974
|2,262
|712
|97
|94
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|11|[[1981 Summer Universiade|11]]}}
|1981
|align=left data-sort-value="Romania (Bucharest)"|{{flagicon|Romania|1965}} [[Bucharest]]
|19–30 July 1981<br />[[President of Romania|President]] [[Nicolae Ceaușescu]]
|10
|2,912
|2,071
|841
|124
|86
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|12|[[1983 Summer Universiade|12]]}}
|1983
|align=left data-sort-value="Canada (Edmonton)"|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Edmonton]]
|1–12 July 1983<br />[[Charles III|Charles, Prince of Wales]]
|10
|2,382
|1,651
|7,31
|117
|73
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|13|[[1985 Summer Universiade|13]]}}
|1985
|align=left data-sort-value="Japan (Kobe)"|{{flagicon|Japan|1947}} [[Kobe]]
|24 August – 4 September 1985<br />Crown Prince [[Akihito]] 
|11
|2,783
|2,008
|775
|120
|106
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|14|[[1987 Summer Universiade|14]]}}
|1987
|align=left data-sort-value="Yugoslavia (Zagreb)"|{{flagicon|Yugoslavia}} [[Zagreb]]
|8–19 July 1987<br />[[President of the Presidency of Yugoslavia|President]] [[Lazar Mojsov]]
|12
|3,905
|2,686
|1,219
|140
|121
|{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|15|[[1989 Summer Universiade|15]]}}
|1989
|align=left data-sort-value="Germany (Duisburg)"|{{flagicon|West Germany}} [[Duisburg]]{{efn|Originally scheduled for [[São Paulo]], [[Brazil]].}} 
|22–30 August 1989<br />[[Chancellor of Germany|Chancellor]] [[Helmut Kohl]]
|4
|1,785
|1,271
|514
|66
|79
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|16|[[1991 Summer Universiade|16]]}}
|1991
|align=left data-sort-value="United Kingdom (Sheffield)"|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Sheffield]]
|14–25 July 1991<br />[[Anne, Princess Royal]]
|12
|3,346
|2,134
|1,212
|125
|101
|{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|17|[[1993 Summer Universiade|17]]}}
|1993
|align=left data-sort-value="USA (Buffalo)"|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]
|8–18 July 1993<br />[[Primo Nebiolo]]
|12
|3,547
|2,385
|1,162
|138
|117
|{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|18|[[1995 Summer Universiade|18]]}}
|1995
|align=left data-sort-value="Japan (Fukuoka)"|{{flagicon|Japan|1947}} [[Fukuoka]]
|23 August – 3 September 1995<br />Crown Prince [[Naruhito]]
|13
|3,949
|2,636
|1,313
|145
|162
|{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|19|[[1997 Summer Universiade|19]]}}
|1997
|align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Sicily)"|{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Sicily]]
|20–31 August 1997<br />[[President of Italy|President]] [[Oscar Luigi Scalfaro]] 
|11
|3,496
|2,264
|1,232
|127
|124
|{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|20|[[1999 Summer Universiade|20]]}}
|1999
|align=left data-sort-value="Spain (Palma de Mallorca)"|{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Palma de Mallorca]]
|3–13 July 1999<br />[[Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo]]
|12
|4,076
|2,635
|1,441
|146
|125
|{{flagIOC2|USA|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|21|[[2001 Summer Universiade|21]]}}
|2001
|align=left data-sort-value="China (Beijing)"|{{flagicon|China}} [[Beijing]]
|22 August – 1 September 2001<br />[[President of China|President]] [[Jiang Zemin]]
|13
|3,854
|2,705
|1,779
|168
|165
|{{flagIOC2|CHN|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|22|[[2003 Summer Universiade|22]]}}
|2003
|align=left data-sort-value="South Korea (Daegu)"|{{flagicon|South Korea|1997}} [[Daegu]]
|21–31 August 2003<br />[[President of South Korea|President]] [[Roh Moo-hyun]]
|14
|4,460
|2,622
|1,838
|185
|'''174'''
|{{flagIOC2|CHN|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|23|[[2005 Summer Universiade|23]]}}
|2005
|align=left data-sort-value="Turkey (İzmir)"|{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[İzmir]]
|11–21 August 2005<br />[[President of Turkey|President]] [[Ahmet Necdet Sezer]]
|15
|5,346
|3,187
|2,159
|196
|131
|{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|24|[[2007 Summer Universiade|24]]}}
|2007
|align=left data-sort-value="Thailand (Bangkok)"|{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Bangkok]]
|20–31 August 2007<br />[[Crown Prince of Thailand|Crown Prince]] [[Vajiralongkorn]]
|18
|6,093
|3,389
|2,704
|236
|152
|{{flagIOC2|CHN|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|25|[[2009 Summer Universiade|25]]}}
|2009
|align=left data-sort-value="Serbia (Belgrade)"|{{flagicon|Serbia|2004}} [[Belgrade]]
|1–12 July 2009<br />[[Prime Minister of Serbia|Prime Minister]] [[Mirko Cvetković]]
|15
|5,566
|3,203
|2,363
|203
|122
|{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|26|[[2011 Summer Universiade|26]]}}
|2011
|align=left data-sort-value="China (Shenzen)"|{{flagicon|China}} [[Shenzhen]]
|12–23 August 2011<br />[[President of China|President]] [[Hu Jintao]]
|24
|7,155
|4,088
|3,067
|305
|151
|{{flagIOC2|CHN|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|27|[[2013 Summer Universiade|27]]}}
|2013
|align=left data-sort-value="Russia (Kazan)"|{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Kazan]]
|6–17 July 2013<br />[[President of Russia|President]] [[Vladimir Putin]]
|'''27'''
|'''7,966'''
|4,827
|3,139
|'''351'''
|159
|{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|28|[[2015 Summer Universiade|28]]}}
|2015
|align=left data-sort-value="South Korea (Gwangju)"|{{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Gwangju]]
|3–14 July 2015<br />[[President of South Korea|President]] [[Park Geun-hye]]
|21
|7,432
|4,270
|3,162
|272
|140
|{{flagIOC2|KOR|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|29|[[2017 Summer Universiade|29]]}}
|2017
|align=left data-sort-value="Chinese Taipei (Taipei)"|{{flagicon|Chinese Taipei|univ}} [[Taipei]]{{efn|group=notes|The {{flagicon|ROC}} [[Taiwan|Republic of China (Taiwan)]] is recognised as [[Chinese Taipei]] by the [[International University Sports Federation|FISU]] and the majority of international organisations it participates in due to political considerations and [[Cross-Strait relations]] with the People's Republic of China.}}
|19–30 August 2017<br />[[President of the Republic of China|President]] [[Tsai Ing-wen]] 
|21
|7,377
|4,189
|3,188
|271
|134
|{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|30|[[2019 Summer Universiade|30]]}}
|2019
|align=left data-sort-value="Italy (Naples)"|{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Naples]]{{efn|Originally scheduled for [[Brasília]], [[Brazil]].}} 
|3–14 July 2019<br />[[President of Italy|President]] [[Sergio Mattarella]]
|18
|5,893
|3,100
|2,793
|220
|111
|{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}}
|-
|{{sort|31|[[2021 Summer World University Games|31]]}}
|2021
|align=left data-sort-value="China (Chengdu)|{{flagicon|China}} [[Chengdu]]
|28 July – 8 August 2023{{efn|Originally scheduled to be held on 15–27 August 2021, but was postponed to 25 June–7 July 2022, and again to 2023 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. With the eventual cancellation of the [[2023 Summer World University Games|2023 Games]] in [[Yekaterinburg]] due to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], this edition would replace the 2023 Games.}}<br />[[President of China|President]] [[Xi Jinping]]
|18
|6,573
|3,556
|3,017
|269
|116
|{{flagIOC2|CHN|Universiade}}
|-
!{{sort|32|[[2023 Summer World University Games|—]]}}
!2023
!align=left data-sort-value="Russia (Yekaterinburg)|{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Yekaterinburg]]
!colspan=8 {{n/a|''Cancelled due to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]''}}
|-
|{{sort|32|[[2025 Summer World University Games|32]]}}
|2025<ref>{{cite web|last=Courvoisier|first=Thérèse|title=9047 participants dug for gold in a region known for its mining tradition|website=FISU|date=27 July 2025|url=https://www.fisu.net/2025/07/27/9047-participants-dug-for-gold-in-a-region-known-for-its-mining-tradition/|access-date=7 August 2025}}</ref>
|align=left data-sort-value="Germany (Rhine-Ruhr)"|{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region|Rhine-Ruhr]]
|16–27 July 2025<br />[[Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs|Minister]] [[Bärbel Bas]]
|18
|6,233
|3,259
|2,974
|234
|113
|{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}} 
|-
|{{sort|33|''[[2027 Summer World University Games|33]]''}}
|''2027''
|align=left data-sort-value="Korea (Chungcheong)"|{{flagicon|South Korea}} ''[[Chungcheong Province|Chungcheong]]''
|''1-12 August 2027''<br />TBA
|''18''
|{{N/a|TBA}}
|{{N/a|TBA}}
|{{N/a|TBA}}
|{{N/a|TBA}}
|{{N/a|TBA}}
|{{N/a|TBA}}
|-
|{{sort|34|''[[2029 Summer World University Games|34]]''}}
|''2029''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaw |first=Justin |date=2023-01-10 |title=North Carolina Wins Bid for 2029 FISU World University Games |url=https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/north-carolina-wins-bid-for-2029-fisu-world-university-games/ |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=SportsTravel |language=en-US}}</ref>
|align=left data-sort-value="USA (North Carolina)"|{{flagicon|USA}} ''[[North Carolina]]''
|''11-22 July 2029''<br />TBA
|''18''
|{{N/a|TBA}}
|{{N/a|TBA}}
|{{N/a|TBA}}
|{{N/a|TBA}}
|{{N/a|TBA}}
|{{N/a|TBA}}
|}

{{notelist}}

===Winter Games===
{{location map+|Earth
|float=center
|width=1000
|caption=Locations of host cities of the Winter World University Games (excluding those in Europe)
|places=
{{Location map~|Earth|position=|lat=43.2775|long=76.895833|label='''[[Almaty|2017]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|position=|lat=56.016667|long= 93.066667|label='''[[Krasnoyarsk|2019]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|position=|lat=44.285556|long= -73.985278|label='''[[Lake Placid, New York|1972, 2023]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|position=|lat=43.066667|long=141.35|label='''[[Sapporo|1991]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|position=|lat=36.0068191|long=127.6607805|label='''[[Muju County|1997]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|position=|lat=45.75|long=126.633333|label='''[[Harbin|2009]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Earth|position=|lat=43.88|long=125.35|label='''[[Changchun|2027]]'''}}
}}

{{location map+|Europe
|float=center
|width=600
|caption=Locations of host cities of the Winter World University Games (in Europe)
|places=
{{Location map~|Europe|lat=45.9231|long=6.8697|label='''[[Chamonix|1960]]'''|position=left}} 
{{Location map~|Europe|lat=46.297889|long=7.054667|label='''[[Villars-sur-Ollon|1962]]'''|position=top}} 
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=50.725278|long=15.608333|label='''[[Špindlerův Mlýn|1964, 1978]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|lat=44.95|long=6.883333|label='''[[Sestriere|1966]]'''|position=bottom}} 
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=47.266667|long=11.383333|label='''[[Innsbruck|1968, 2005]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=66.5|long=25.733333|label='''[[Rovaniemi|1970]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=46.533333|long=10.133333|label='''[[Livigno|1975]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=46.140278|long=12.216667|label='''[[Belluno|1985]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|lat=49.1225|long=20.058333|label='''[[Štrbské Pleso|1987, 2015]]'''|position=left}} 
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=42.55|long=-0.55|label='''[[Jaca|1981, 1995]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=42.7|long=23.33|label='''[[Sofia|1983,1989]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|lat=49.3|long=19.95|label='''[[Zakopane|1993, 2001]]'''|position=top}} 
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=49.059444|long=20.2975|label='''[[Poprad|1999]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|lat=46.140278|long=12.216667|label='''[[Tarvisio|2003]]'''|position=bottom}} 
{{Location map~|Europe|lat=47.329444|long=11.189167|label='''[[Seefeld in Tirol|2005]]'''|position=top}} 
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=45.066667|long=7.7|label='''[[Turin|2007, 2025]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=39.908611|long=41.276944|label='''[[Erzurum|2011]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|lat=46.066667|long=11.116667|label='''[[Trentino|2013]]'''|position=left}} 
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=37.178056|long=-3.600833|label='''[[Granada|2015]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Europe|lat=48.758056|long=19.525278|label='''[[Osrblie|2015]]'''|position=bottom}} 
{{Location map~|Europe|position=|lat=47.05|long= 8.3|label='''[[Lucerne|2021]]'''}}
}}

{|class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; text-align:center;"
|+Overview of Winter World University Games {{Sfn|FISU Winter|2025}}
|-
!Games
!Year
!Host country
!Host city
!Opened by
!Dates
!Nations
!Competitors
!Sports
!Events
!Top nation
|-
|align=center| [[1960 Winter Universiade|1]]
|align=center| 1960
|align=left| {{flag|France|1794}} 
|[[Chamonix]]
|align=left|[[President of France|President]] [[Charles de Gaulle]]
|align=center| 28 February – 6 March
|align=center|16 || align=center|151 || align=center|5 || align=center|13
|{{flagIOC2|FRA|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1962 Winter Universiade|2]]
|align=center| 1962
|align=left| {{SUI}} 
|[[Villars-sur-Ollon|Villars]]
|align=left|[[President of the Swiss Confederation|President]] [[Paul Chaudet]]
|align=center| 6–12 March
| align=center|22 || align=center|273 || align=center|6 || align=center|12
|{{flagIOC2|FRG|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1964 Winter Universiade|3]]
|align=center| 1964
|align=left| {{flag|Czechoslovakia}} 
|[[Špindlerův Mlýn]]
|align=left|[[President of Czechoslovakia|President]] [[Antonín Novotný]]
|align=center| 11–17 February
| align=center|21 || align=center|285 || align=center|5 || align=center|15
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1966 Winter Universiade|4]]
|align=center| 1966
|align=left| {{ITA}} 
|[[Sestriere]]
|align=left| [[President of Italy|President]] [[Giuseppe Saragat]]
|align=center| 5–13 February
| align=center|29 || align=center|434 || align=center|6 || align=center|19
|{{flagIOC2|FRA|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1968 Winter Universiade|5]]
|align=center| 1968
|align=left| {{AUT}} 
|[[Innsbruck]]
|align=left|[[President of Austria|President]] [[Franz Jonas]]
|align=center| 21–28 January
| align=center|26 || align=center|424 || align=center|7 || align=center|23
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1970 Winter Universiade|6]]
|align=center| 1970
|align=left| {{FIN}} 
|[[Rovaniemi]]
|align=left|[[President of Finland|President]] [[Urho Kekkonen]]
|align=center| 3–9 April
| align=center|25 || align=center|421 || align=center|7 || align=center|24
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1972 Winter Universiade|7]]
|align=center| 1972
|align=left| {{USA}} 
|[[Lake Placid, New York|Lake Placid]]
|align=left|[[President of the United States|President]] [[Richard Nixon]]
|align=center| 26 February – 5 March
| align=center|23 || align=center|351 || align=center|7 || align=center|25
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1975 Winter Universiade|8]]
|align=center| 1975
|align=left| {{ITA}} 
|[[Livigno]]
|align=left|[[President of Italy|President]] [[Giovanni Leone]]
|align=center| 6–13 April
| align=center|15 || align=center|143 || align=center|2 || align=center|13
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1978 Winter Universiade|9]]
|align=center| 1978
|align=left| {{flag|Czechoslovakia}} 
|[[Špindlerův Mlýn]]
|align=left|[[President of Czechoslovakia|President]] [[Gustáv Husák]]
|align=center| 5–12 February
| align=center|21 || align=center|260 || align=center|4 || align=center|16
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1981 Winter Universiade|10]]
|align=center| 1981
|align=left|{{flag|Spain}}
|[[Jaca]]
|align=left|[[King of Spain|King]] [[Juan Carlos I]]
|align=center| 25 February – 4 March
| align=center|28 || align=center|394 || align=center|5 || align=center|19
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1983 Winter Universiade|11]]
|align=center| 1983
|align=left|{{flag|Bulgaria|1971}} 
|[[Sofia]]
|align=left|[[List of heads of state of Bulgaria|Chairman]] [[Todor Zhivkov]]
|align=center| 17–27 February
| align=center|31 || align=center|535 || align=center|7 || align=center|21
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1985 Winter Universiade|12]]
|align=center| 1985
|align=left|{{ITA}} 
|[[Belluno]]
|align=left|[[President of Italy|President]] [[Sandro Pertini]]
|align=center| 16–24 February
| align=center|29|| align=center|538 || align=center|7 || align=center|30
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1987 Winter Universiade|13]]
|align=center| 1987
|align=left| {{flag|Czechoslovakia}} 
|[[Štrbské Pleso]]
|align=left|[[President of Czechoslovakia|President]] [[Gustáv Husák]]
|align=center| 21–28 February
| align=center|28 || align=center|596 || align=center|6 || align=center|25
|{{flagIOC2|TCH|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1989 Winter Universiade|14]]
|align=center| 1989
|align=left| {{flag|Bulgaria|1971}} 
|[[Sofia]]
|align=left|[[List of heads of state of Bulgaria|Chairman]] [[Todor Zhivkov]]
|align=center| 2–12 March
| align=center|32 || align=center|681 || align=center|8 || align=center|40
|{{flagIOC2|URS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1991 Winter Universiade|15]]
|align=center| 1991
|align=left| {{flag|Japan|1947}} 
|[[Sapporo]]
|align=left|Crown Prince [[Naruhito]] 
|align=center| 2–10 March
| align=center|34 || align=center|668 || align=center|8 || align=center|45
|{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1993 Winter Universiade|16]]
|align=center| 1993
|align=left| {{flag|Poland}}
|[[Zakopane]]
|align=left|[[President of Poland|President]] [[Lech Wałęsa]]
|align=center| 6–14 February
| align=center|41 || align=center|668|| align=center|8 || align=center|36
|{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1995 Winter Universiade|17]]
|align=center| 1995
|align=left|{{flag|Spain}}
|[[Jaca]]
|align=left|[[King of Spain|King]] [[Juan Carlos I]]
|align=center| 18–28 February
| align=center|41 || align=center|765 || align=center|8 || align=center|35
|{{flagIOC2|KOR|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1997 Winter Universiade|18]]
|align=center| 1997
|align=left|{{flag|South Korea|1984}} 
|[[Muju County|Muju]]-[[Jeonju]]
|align=left|[[President of South Korea|President]] [[Kim Young-sam]]
|align=center| 24 January – 2 February
| align=center|48 || align=center|877 || align=center|9 || align=center|51
|{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[1999 Winter Universiade|19]]
|align=center| 1999
|align=left|{{SVK}} 
|[[Poprad]]-[[Vysoké Tatry]]
|align=left|[[President of Slovakia|President]] [[Rudolf Schuster]]
|align=center| 22–30 January
| align=center|40 || align=center|929 || align=center|9 || align=center|52
|{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[2001 Winter Universiade|20]]
|align=center| 2001
|align=left|{{flag|Poland}}
|[[Zakopane]]
|align=left|[[President of Poland|President]] [[Aleksander Kwaśniewski]]
|align=center| 7–17 February
| align=center|41 || align=center|1,007 || align=center|9 || align=center|52
|{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[2003 Winter Universiade|21]]
|align=center| 2003
|align=left|{{flagcountry|ITA|2003}} 
|[[Tarvisio]]
|align=left|[[List of presidents of Friuli-Venezia Giulia|President]] [[Renzo Tondo]]
|align=center| 16–26 January
| align=center|46 || align=center|1,266 || align=center|10 || align=center|59
|{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[2005 Winter Universiade|22]]
|align=center| 2005
|align=left|{{AUT}} 
|[[Innsbruck]]-[[Seefeld in Tirol|Seefeld]]
|align=left|[[President of Austria|President]] [[Heinz Fischer]]
|align=center| 12–22 January
| align=center|50 || align=center|1,449 || align=center|'''12'''|| align=center|68
|{{flagIOC2|AUT|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[2007 Winter Universiade|23]]
|align=center| 2007
|align=left|{{ITA}} 
|[[Turin]]
|align=left|[[George Killian]]
|align=center| 17–27 January
| align=center|48 || align=center|1,668 || align=center|11 || align=center|72
|{{flagIOC2|KOR|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[2009 Winter Universiade|24]]
|align=center| 2009
|align=left|{{CHN}} 
|[[Harbin]]
|align=left|[[State councillor]] [[Liu Yandong]]
|align=center| 18–28 February
| align=center|44 || align=center|1,545 || align=center|'''12''' || align=center|81
|{{flagIOC2|CHN|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[2011 Winter Universiade|25]]
|align=center| 2011
|align=left|{{TUR}} 
|[[Erzurum]]
|align=left|[[President of Turkey|President]] [[Abdullah Gül]]
|align=center| 27 January – 6 February
| align=center|52 || align=center|1,593 || align=center|11 || align=center|66
|{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[2013 Winter Universiade|26]]
|align=center| 2013
|align=left|{{ITA}} 
|[[Trentino]] 
|align=left|[[List of presidents of Trentino|President]] [[Ugo Rossi]]
|align=center| 11–21 December{{Efn|Originally scheduled for [[Maribor]], [[Slovenia]].}} 
| align=center|50 || align=center|'''1,698''' || align=center|'''12''' || align=center|79
|{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}}
|-
|rowspan=2 align=center| [[2015 Winter Universiade|27]]
|rowspan=2 align=center| 2015
|align=left|{{SVK}} 
|[[Štrbské Pleso]]–[[Osrblie]]{{Efn|Due to environmental problems in Granada, the Nordic skiing events were transferred to Slovakia.}} 
|align=left|[[President of Slovakia|President]] [[Andrej Kiska]]
|align=center| 24 January – 1 February
| align=center rowspan=2|42 || align=center rowspan=2| 1,546 || align=center rowspan=2|11 || align=center rowspan=2|68
|rowspan=2|{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=left|{{flag|Spain}}
|[[Granada]]
|align=left| [[King of Spain|King]] [[Felipe VI]] 
|align=center| 4–14 February
|-
|align=center| [[2017 Winter Universiade|28]]
|align=center| 2017
|align=left|{{KAZ}} 
|[[Almaty]]
|align=left|[[President of Kazakhstan|President]] [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]]
| 29 January – 8 February
| align=center|57 || align=center|1,620 || align=center|'''12'''|| align=center|85
|{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[2019 Winter Universiade|29]]
|align=center| 2019
|align=left|{{RUS}} 
|[[Krasnoyarsk]]
|align=left| [[President of Russia|President]] [[Vladimir Putin]]
|align=center| 2–12 March
| align=center|68 || align=center|1,692 || align=center|11 || align=center|76
|{{flagIOC2|RUS|Universiade}}
|-
!align=center| [[2021 Winter Universiade|30]]
!align=center| 2021
!align=left|{{SUI}} 
![[Lucerne]]
!colspan=7 {{n/a|''Cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]''}}
|-
|align=center| [[2023 Winter World University Games|31]]
|align=center| 2023
|align=left| {{USA}} 
|[[Lake Placid, New York|Lake Placid]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1062290/lake-placid-set-to-host-2023-winter-universiade-after-mou-signed-with-fisu|title=Lake Placid set to host 2023 Winter Universiade after MoU signed with FISU|date=6 March 2018|work=Inside the Games}}</ref>
|align=left|[[Governor of New York|Governor]] [[Kathy Hochul]]
|align=center| 12–22 January
|align=center| 47
|align=center|1,417 || align=center|'''12'''|| align=center|85
|{{flagIOC2|JPN|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[2025 Winter World University Games|32]]
|align=center| 2025
|align=left| {{ITA}} 
|[[Turin]]
|align=left| Minister [[Andrea Abodi]]
|align=center| 13–23 January 
|align=center| 54
|align=center|1,503 || align=center| 11 || align=center|'''90'''
|{{flagIOC2|FRA|Universiade}}
|-
|align=center| [[2027 Winter World University Games|33]]
|align=center| 2027
|align=left|{{CHN}} 
|[[Changchun]] <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fisu.net/2025/11/26/changchun-to-host-the-33rd-winter-universiade-in-2027/|title=Changchun to host the 33rd Winter Universiade in 2027|date=26 November 2025|work=Fisu.net}}</ref>
|align=left|  
|align=center| 15–25 January 
|align=center| 
|align=center| || align=center| '''12''' || align=center|'''95'''
|
|-
|}
{{notelist}}

==Sports==
{{see also|Sports at the FISU World University Games}}
===Summer Games===
Since the second edition held in 1961, it has been up to the Organizing Committee and the National University Sports Federation of the host country to choose sports or optional competitions. According to their demands, there is a list of mandatory sports that are defined by the International University Sports Federation and could be reviewed at the end of each edition. The event also serves as the World University Championship. At the first edition, only 8 sports were in the program ([[Sport of athletics|athletics]], [[basketball]], [[fencing]], [[gymnastics]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[tennis]], [[volleyball]] and [[water polo]]). The first sport to be considered optional was diving, which was added to the second edition in 1961. In addition, optional events were added in basketball and volleyball when women's tournaments were played. In 1963, the women's basketball was dropped from the sporting program. In 1967, the third World University Judo Championship was held in [[Tokyo]] and was integrated into the fifth edition of the Summer Universiade as an optional sport, thus gaining the status of an optional sport and thus inaugurating a new type of sport at the event, which is that of the optional sport. Therefore, the sport with this status is not part of the fixed program and could be in the current edition, but not necessarily in the next one.

====Compulsory sports====
=====Team sports=====
# [[Basketball at the Summer World University Games]]
# [[Volleyball at the Summer World University Games]]
# [[Water polo at the Summer World University Games]]

=====Individual sports=====
# [[Athletics at the Summer World University Games]]
# [[Swimming at the Summer World University Games]]: Swimming has been a compulsory event since the first edition in 1959. Open water events were held in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017.
# [[Diving at the Summer World University Games]]
# [[Gymnastics at the Summer World University Games]] (artistic and rhythmic): Artistic Gymnastics was an optional sport in 1961, turned compulsory in 1963. Rhythmic Gymnastics was an optional sport in 1991, 1995 and 1997, turned compulsory in 2001. An aerobics event was held as an optional event in 2011. 
# [[Fencing at the Summer World University Games]]
# [[Tennis at the Summer World University Games]]
# [[Table tennis at the Summer Universiade|Table tennis at the Summer World University Games]] – Compulsory since 2007. Optional sport in 2001.
# [[Judo at the Summer Universiade|Judo at the Summer World University Games]] – Compulsory since 2007. Optional sport in 1967, 1985, 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2003.
# [[Taekwondo at the Summer Universiade|Taekwondo at the Summer World University Games]] – Compulsory since 2017. Optional sport in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2015.
# [[Archery at the Summer Universiade|Archery at the Summer World University Games]] – Compulsory since 2019. Optional sport in 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017.
# [[Badminton at the Summer Universiade|Badminton at the Summer World University Games]] – Compulsory since 2021. Optional sport in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017.

====Optional sports====
=====Team sports=====
# [[Baseball at the Summer Universiade|Baseball at the Summer World University Games]] – 4 times (1993, 1995, 2015, 2017, scheduled for 2029)
# [[Beach volleyball at the Summer Universiade|Beach volleyball at the Summer World University Games]] – 3 times (2011, 2013, 2025, scheduled for 2027)
# [[Field hockey at the Summer Universiade|Field hockey at the Summer World University Games]] – 2 times (1991, 2013)
# [[Rugby sevens at the Summer Universiade|Rugby sevens at the Summer World University Games]] – 2 times (2013, 2019 and scheduled for 2029)
# [[Basketball at the Summer Universiade|Basketball at the Summer World University Games]] (3x3 basketball) – 1 time (2025)
# [[Handball at the Summer Universiade|Handball at the Summer World University Games]] – 1 time (2015)
# [[Softball at the Summer Universiade|Softball at the Summer World University Games]] – 1 time (2007, scheduled for 2029)

=====Individual sports=====
# [[Rowing at the Summer Universiade|Rowing at the Summer World University Games]] – 7 times (1987, 1989, 1993, 2013, 2015, 2021, 2025 and scheduled for 2027)
# [[Shooting at the Summer Universiade|Shooting at the Summer World University Games]] – 6 times (2007, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2019 and 2021)
# [[Wrestling at the Summer Universiade|Wrestling at the Summer World University Games]] – 5 times (1973, 1977, 1981, 2005, 2013)
# [[Golf at the Summer Universiade|Golf at the Summer World University Games]] – 4 times (2007, 2011, 2015, 2017 and scheduled for 2027)
# [[Sailing at the Summer Universiade|Sailing at the Summer World University Games]] – 4 times (1999, 2005, 2011, 2019)
# [[Weightlifting at the Summer Universiade|Weightlifting at the Summer World University Games]] – 3 times (2011, 2013, 2017)
# [[Canoeing at the Summer Universiade|Canoeing at the Summer World University Games]] – 2 times (1987, 2013)
# [[Chess at the Summer Universiade|Chess at the Summer World University Games]] – 2 times (2011, 2013)
# [[Cycling at the Summer Universiade|Cycling at the Summer World University Games]] – 2 times (1983, 2011)
# [[Wushu at the Summer Universiade|Wushu at the Summer World University Games]] – 2 times (2017, 2021)
# [[Belt wrestling at the Summer Universiade|Belt wrestling at the Summer World University Games]] – 1 time (2013)
# [[Boxing at the Summer Universiade|Boxing at the Summer World University Games]] – 1 time (2013)
# [[Roller sports at the Summer Universiade|Roller sports at the Summer World University Games]] – 1 time (2017)
# [[Sambo at the Summer Universiade|Sambo at the Summer World University Games]] – 1 time (2013)
# [[Synchronized swimming at the Summer Universiade|Synchronized swimming at the Summer World University Games]] – 1 time (2013)

=====Removed sports=====
# [[Football at the Summer Universiade|Football at the Summer World University Games]] – Obsolescent since 2019, after the creation of the FISU University World Cup Football. Optional sport in 1979, compulsory from 1985 to 2019.

===Winter Games===
Since 1960 until 1989, limited and fixed sports were held. Since the [[1991 Winter Universiade]] the host is allowed to choose some sports that are approved by [[FISU]] as optional sports.

====Compulsory sports====
=====Team sports=====
# [[Curling at the Winter Universiade|Curling at the Winter World University Games]] – Compulsory since 2007. Optional sport in 2003.
# [[Ice hockey at the Winter Universiade|Ice hockey at the Winter World University Games]] – Compulsory since 1966. Optional sport in 1962.

=====Individual sports=====
# [[Alpine skiing at the Winter Universiade|Alpine skiing at the Winter World University Games]]
# [[Biathlon at the Winter Universiade|Biathlon at the Winter World University Games]] – Compulsory since 1997. Optional sport in 1983, 1989, 1993, 1997 and 1999.
# [[Cross-country skiing at the Winter Universiade|Cross-country skiing at the Winter World University Games]]
# [[Figure skating at the Winter Universiade|Figure skating at the Winter World University Games]] – Compulsory since 1981. Optional sport in 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966 and 1968.
# [[Freestyle skiing at the Winter Universiade|Freestyle skiing at the Winter World University Games]] – Compulsory since 2023. Optional sport in 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019.
# [[Snowboarding at the Winter Universiade|Snowboarding at the Winter World University Games]] – Compulsory since 1999. Optional sport in 1995 and 1997.
# [[Ski-orienteering at the Winter Universiade|Ski-orienteering at the Winter World University Games]] – Compulsory since 2027. Optional sport in 2019, gained special status in 2025.
# [[Short track speed skating at the Winter Universiade|Short track speed skating at the Winter World University Games]] – Compulsory since 1997. Optional sport in 1985, 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1995.

====Optional sports====
=====Team sports=====
# [[Bandy at the Winter Universiade|Bandy at the Winter World University Games]] – 1 time (2019)

=====Individual sports=====
# [[Nordic combined at the Winter Universiade|Nordic combined at the Winter World University Games]] – 27 times (1960–1970, 1978, 1981–2023). Compulsory sport from 1960 to 1970, and from 1981 to 2007; optional in 1972, 1978, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2023.
# [[Ski jumping at the Winter Universiade|Ski jumping at the Winter World University Games]] – 25 times (1960–1972, 1978, 1981–2017). Compulsory sport from 1960 to 1970, and between 1981 and 2007; optional in 1972, 1978, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2023.
# [[Ski mountaineering at the Winter World University Games]] – 2 times (2025,2027)
# [[Skeleton at the Winter Universiade|Skeleton at the Winter World University Games]] – 1 time (2005)

=====Special sport status=====
# [[Speed skating at the Winter Universiade|Speed skating at the Winter World University Games]] – 12 times (1968–2023). Sport with special status (1968, 1970, 1972, 1991, 1997, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023,2027).

==Medals==
{{Main article|All-time FISU World University Games medal table}}

===Summer Games===

{{Medals table
 | caption        = 
 | host           = 
 | flag_template  = flagIOC2team
 | event          = Universiade
 | team           = {{Tooltip|NUSF|National University Sports Federation}} 
 | gold_USA = 540 | silver_USA = 480 | bronze_USA = 448
 | gold_CHN = 576 | silver_CHN = 374 | bronze_CHN = 309
 | gold_RUS = 433 | silver_RUS = 364 | bronze_RUS = 417
 | gold_URS = 409 | silver_URS = 337 | bronze_URS = 251| host_URS = yes
 | gold_JPN = 410 | silver_JPN = 388 | bronze_JPN = 503
 | gold_KOR = 281 | silver_KOR = 228 | bronze_KOR = 286
 | gold_ITA= 224  | silver_ITA= 236  | bronze_ITA= 301
 | gold_UKR = 186 | silver_UKR = 191 | bronze_UKR = 184
 | gold_ROU = 149 | silver_ROU = 132 | bronze_ROU = 150
 | gold_HUN = 121 | silver_HUN = 116 | bronze_HUN = 129
}}

===Winter Games===

{{Medals table
 | caption        = 
 | host           = 
 | team           = {{Tooltip|NUSF|National University Sports Federation}} 
 | flag_template  = flagIOC2team
 | event          = Universiade
 | gold_RUS = 208 | silver_RUS = 189 | bronze_RUS = 173
 | gold_URS = 103 | silver_URS = 98 | bronze_URS = 70 | host_URS = yes
 | gold_KOR = 127 | silver_KOR = 91  | bronze_KOR = 86
 | gold_JPN = 122  | silver_JPN = 131| bronze_JPN = 112
 | gold_CHN = 80  | silver_CHN = 70  | bronze_CHN = 79
 | gold_TCH = 52  | silver_TCH = 50  | bronze_TCH = 27 | host_TCH = yes
 | gold_ITA = 61  | silver_ITA = 67  | bronze_ITA = 72
 | gold_FRA = 75  | silver_FRA = 64  | bronze_FRA = 76
 | gold_POL = 60  | silver_POL = 67  | bronze_POL = 74
 | gold_AUT = 56  | silver_AUT = 56  | bronze_AUT = 56
}}

==See also==
{{portal|Sports}}
* [[International University Sports Federation]]
* [[FISU World University Championships]]
* [[FISU America Games]]
* [[All-Africa University Games]]
* [[European Universities Games]]
* [[ASEAN University Games]]
* [[Gymnasiade]]
* [[International Children's Games]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

;Official statistics reports
{{Refbegin|30em}}
*{{Cite book
|author=FISU Games Winter Department
|date=April 2024
|title=FISU World University Games Winter: 1960–2023 Statistics
|editor=[[International University Sports Federation]]
|url=https://www.fisu.net/app/uploads/2024/04/WINTER-STATS-1960-2023.pdf
|accessdate=2025-08-06
|ref={{Harvid|FISU Winter|2024}}
}}
*{{Cite book
|author=FISU Summer Games Department
|date=February 2025
|title=FISU World University Games Summer: 1959–2023 Statistics
|editor=[[International University Sports Federation]]
|url=https://www.fisu.net/app/uploads/2025/03/FISU-World-University-Games-1959-2023-Statistics-Summer-edition.pdf
|accessdate=2025-08-06
|ref={{Harvid|FISU Summer|2025}}
}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website}}
* [http://www.adh.de German University Sports Federation]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311114151/http://nerografik.net/wu2005/ Official report of the Winter Universiade Innsbruck / Seefeld 2005]
* [https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E4%B8%96%E5%A4%A7%E9%81%8B%E6%9C%80%E7%B5%82%E7%A5%A8%E6%88%BF87-%E6%AD%B7%E5%B1%86%E5%94%AE%E7%A5%A8%E7%8E%87%E6%9C%80%E9%AB%98-092345973.html Yahoo News : 2017 Taipei Universiade, 87% box-office success as the highest ever.]

{{Universiade}}
{{Universiade Sports}}
{{Nations at the Universiade}}
{{International multi-sport events}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:FISU World University Games| ]]
[[Category:Student sports competitions]]
[[Category:Multi-sport events]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1959]]
[[Category:Biennial sporting events]]