North Carolina has been granted hosting rights to the 2029 World University Games, the organization announced on Tuesday. The vote took place this week at the organization’s meeting in Lake Placid, host of the upcoming Winter World University Games in January 2023.
North Carolina’s bid was previously one of two finalists to host the 2027 World University Games, with South Korea winning a November vote to host that event.
However, the move in 2029 was indicated at the time. With bidders becoming increasingly scarce for large international multisport events like this and a highly qualified bid from North Carolina with most of the venues already in place, FISU indicated the possibility that North Carolina could win a future bid.
That’s exactly what happened this week.
“We have been very impressed with what North Carolina has to offer the FISU Games, from our site visits, their bid files and the presentation to our Executive Committee in connection with their original FISU World University Games 2027 bid,” said FISU -President Leonz Eder. “North Carolina USA’s application actually achieved the highest score in our staff’s technical evaluation of applications. Although North Carolina did not win the 2027 FISU Games last fall, we have since worked diligently with our members and staff to best secure North Carolina USA as the future host of the FISU Games. Fortunately, with our Winter Games leadership gathered in Lake Placid, the timing was very appropriate and opportune to approve North Carolina USA as the host city of the FISU World University Games 2029.”
The bid focused on the North Carolina Research Triangle, which includes the cities of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. The organizations’ revenues for the state are estimated at between 150 and 350 million US dollars.
The state has pledged $25 million in entry fees to the organizing committee.
“The award of 2029 The FISU World University Games in our state and country is the culmination of an extensive, five-year effort by more than 1,000 individuals, 13 universities, five cities, five counties, the state of North Carolina and 53 corporate and organizational sponsors to bring this great event ‘, the head of the organizing committee Hill Carrow said. “As an event featuring the best collegiate athletes from around the world, it is a natural fit for a state of 130 colleges and universities and more than 350,000 graduate students. Landing these games in North Carolina is similar to a major corporate relocation as the FISU games will have a local economic impact in excess of $150 million, but with the added benefits of significant international tourism and global branding for our state and local ones communities.”
Carrow said he already had two private sponsorships worth “at least $3.5 million” prior to the November 2022 vote.
The World University Games is one of the three largest sporting events in the world by participants, depending on the year. The 12,885 participants in South Korea in 2015 is more than either the Olympics (which are working to reduce attendance) or the Asian Games have ever matched. The multi-sport event for university students included three water sports disciplines – pool swimming, water polo and scuba diving at the most recent events.
The 2023 World University Games are scheduled to take place in Chengdu, China. The last edition of the Summer World University Games in the USA was held in Buffalo in 1993.
Upcoming hosts of the World University Games:
- 2023 – Chengdu, China
- 2025 – Rhine-Ruhr area, Germany
- 2027 – Megacity Chungcheong, South Korea
- 2029 – Research Triangle, United States
This will mark the end of a string of key hosting responsibilities for the United States, which include the 2026 FIFA World Cup in men’s soccer, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and now the 2029 World University Games.