2025 World Games in Chengdu: Your Complete Guide

What Are The World Games?

The World Games is a major international multi-sport event held every four years. It is organized with the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and showcases a diverse range of disciplines that are not on the Olympic program.

For many athletes, it is the pinnacle of competition for their sport. The 2025 event will be the 12th edition and the first ever hosted in China.

2025 World Games: Key Details

• Dates: August 7–17, 2025
• Location: Chengdu, China
• Athletes: Approximately 5,000 from 118 nations
• Sports: 34
• Events: 253 medal events
• Motto: “Boundless Sports, Countless Wonders”
• Main Venues: Tianfu International Convention Centre (Opening Ceremony) and Dong’an Lake Sports Park Stadium (Closing Ceremony)

The Sports Program: What to Watch

The World Games features a unique mix of sports that you won’t see anywhere else. The 2025 program includes 34 sports, with some exciting new additions.

New sports debuting in Chengdu include:

• Powerboating
• Cheerleading
• Para Freediving
• Para Ju-jitsu

Other popular sports on the program include:

• Flag Football (Women’s)
• Lacrosse (Women’s Sixes)
• Drone Racing
• Speed Climbing
• Archery
• Ultimate (Frisbee)
• Karate
• Billiards

The event will also showcase esports in partnership with the Global Esports Federation.

Betting on the 2025 World Games

One of the most common questions for any major sporting event is about betting odds. However, you will not find betting markets for the 2025 World Games at major US sportsbooks like FanDuel or DraftKings.

This is because the event focuses on niche sports that do not generate high betting interest in the US. Sports like Korfball, Powerboating, and even established sports like Karate do not have regular betting markets available.

While you cannot bet on the World Games itself, you can find odds on some of these sports in their professional leagues. For example, sportsbooks offer betting on professional and college lacrosse, but not specifically for the World Games tournament.

How to Watch the World Games

The event will be streamed live and for free on The World Games Live platform. Fans from around the globe can access all 253 events on the official website or through dedicated mobile apps available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. For real-time updates during the event, you can follow the official social media channels.

Venues and The Host City

The games will be held in 28 state-of-the-art venues across Chengdu. Many of these facilities were recently used for the 2021 Summer World University Games, ensuring top-quality conditions for athletes.

Chengdu is known as China’s “happiest city” and offers a rich cultural experience for visitors. Key attractions include:

• The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding: A must-visit to see the famous giant pandas.
• Rich History: Explore historical sites like the Wuhou Shrine and the Jinsha Site.
• Sichuan Cuisine: The city is famous for its spicy and flavorful food, including hotpot and Dan Dan noodles.

Event Schedule Highlights

The 11-day event is packed with competition. Here are some key dates to mark on your calendar:

• August 7: The Opening Ceremony kicks off the games.
• August 8–16: Competition days for all 34 sports.
• August 17: The Closing Ceremony officially concludes the event.

How to Get Tickets

Tickets for the 2025 World Games are available for purchase through the event’s official website: theworldgames2025.com. Fans can choose from different options, including single-day tickets for specific sports or a “Ground Pass” that provides access to all events across all days.

Prices are expected to be affordable, with some sources suggesting tickets start around $38. For the best availability, it is recommended to purchase tickets early from the official site or authorized sellers.