FISU
FISU World University Championships are a series of international university sports competitions organised by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). Held in even-numbered years, the championships bring together student-athletes from around the world to compete in individual and team sports outside the programme of the FISU World University Games.
Unlike the World University Games, which are staged as multi-sport events in a single host city, the FISU World University Championships are organised as separate championships across multiple host cities and countries throughout the year. The programme includes indoor and outdoor sports, combat sports, summer and winter disciplines, and other specialist competitions.
Format
The championships are organised biennially by FISU and generally take place in even-numbered years. Each sport is awarded separately to a host city or organising committee, and events are staged independently rather than as part of a single multi-sport festival.
Sports
The FISU World University Championships programme has included a wide range of sports. These include:
- Orienteering
- Combat sports
- Futsal
- Handball
- Cycling
- Padel
- Squash
- Triathlon
- Cross-country
- Cheerleading
- Rowing
- Modern pentathlon
- Canoe sports
- Rugby sevens
- Weightlifting
- Shooting sport
- Beach sports
- Mind sports
- Sport climbing
The exact programme varies by edition and according to the sports awarded by FISU.
2026 championships
The 2026 edition of the FISU World University Championships included events in several countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Confirmed championships included cross-country in Cassino, Italy; cheerleading in Gothenburg, Sweden; combat sports in Brasília, Brazil; handball in Pessac, France; futsal in Warsaw, Poland; padel in Málaga, Spain; and orienteering in Vila Real, Portugal.
Relationship with the World University Games
The FISU World University Championships are distinct from the FISU World University Games, which are FISU's flagship multi-sport events. While the Games are held in odd-numbered years, the World University Championships are generally staged in even-numbered years.
