Building up excitement for the 12th edition of The World Games 2025, the International World Games Association (IWGA) is set to launch a new three-sport event. The inaugural leg of The World Games Series will take place in Hong Kong, China, from 11-13 October 2024.
Athletes from around the world will compete in three sports: Cheerleading (ICU) with Pom, Roller (World Skate) with Freestyle Inline, and Wushu (IWUF) with Taolu. This event marks a significant milestone leading up to The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China, scheduled for 07-17 August.
The Hong Kong series will feature 88 athletes (44 men, 44 women). These athletes will compete for a chance to qualify for The World Games 2025. All competitions will be held at the GO PARK Sai Sha, Hong Kong.
Qualification Spots for The World Games 2025
Cheerleading, Pom, Doubles: 1 couple
Roller, Inline Freestyle, Slalom Classic: 1 man and 1 woman
Roller, Inline Freestyle, Slalom Freestyle: 1 man and 1 woman
Wushu, Taolu: 3 men and 3 women
So in total, eleven (11) quota places for Chengdu will be allocated following this first leg. A second leg is tentatively planned for Chengdu in February or March 2025.
The event is fully backed by the Samaranch Foundation, and the IWGA is especially thankful for their support. Their help not only ensures a successful Series, but has also been instrumental in the planning and delivery of the initiative.
Enhancing Visibility and Cultural Experience
The Series aims to boost the visibility of the participating sports and their athletes, celebrating their achievements in a festival atmosphere that combines sport and culture. The competition schedule and venue preparations are being handled by the IWGA in collaboration with the International Member Federations.
As the host city, Hong Kong will organise the event logistics, including transport and accommodation for the athletes and provision of competition venues. A unique concept allowing citizens to experience the sports at first hand will enhance the festival character of the Series. All expenses incurred by the athletes and officials, including international travel and accommodation, will be covered by the Organising Committee.
Media and Broadcasting
All images from The World Games Series will be produced and distributed by IWGA partner ISB. Information on where to watch the event live will be announced later, including on the brand new IWGA OTT platform.
IWGA Deputy CEO Guillaume Felli commented, “The launch of the TWG Series is the realisation of the IWGA’s vision highlighted in our 2021 Strategy Paper. Since introducing the concept to our Member Federations at our 2022 Annual General Meeting, we have worked tirelessly to reach this exciting outcome, which has received unanimous support and commitment. Hong Kong is an ideal partner to launch this new event, thanks to their valuable experience.”
IWGA President José Perurena added, “We are thrilled to offer a unique event where athletes from three sports come together in a fantastic setting. This first stage of the TWG Series will enhance and promote the road to The World Games, held every four years. It represents a key milestone in our organisation’s development. I extend my sincere gratitude to the participating International Federations for their vision and collaboration in creating a new exciting pathway to The World Games for athletes and sports fans worldwide.”
ICU President Jeff Webb said: “Not only is the ICU thrilled to join The World Games 2025 programme, with the opportunities this represents to highlight and showcase the talents of our athletes, but the added chance to be invited to take part in the inaugural leg of TWG Series in Hong Kong, China, this October is a significant moment in our sport’s history. This newly added world-class international competition will be a life-changing experience for our athletes. The added quota place to reach TWG 2025 is beyond remarkable. The ICU is grateful to IWGA President, Mr. Perurena, the IWGA Members and TWG Series Local Organising Committee for this incredible opportunity”
IWUF said: “Wushu is a shared treasure of all mankind. The philosophical ideas it contains, ‘that one should strive continuously to strengthen oneself’ and ‘forces of martial arts are to be used only for the maintenance of peace and order’ are highly consistent with the concept of a global community with a shared future, and are in line with the essence of the Olympic motto - faster, higher, stronger. As we look ahead to Wushu’s first full inclusion in The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, Wushu champions in TWG Series in Hong Kong will get a high-profile and valuable opportunity to qualify for the event. We look forward with pleasure and anticipation to seeing our top Wushu athletes and enthusiasts this October in Hong Kong for TWG Series!”
For more information about this new event, visit TWG Series webpage.
The International World Games Association (IWGA) is a non-profit-making international sports organisation recognised and supported by the International Olympic Committee. The IWGA comprises 40 International Member Sports Federations. It administers and promotes The World Games (TWG), a multi-sport event held every four years that features around 35 sports on its programme. The next edition of TWG will be in Chengdu (CHN) from 7-17 August 2025. 5,000 participants from more than 100 countries are expected to take part in this 12th edition. The latest Games were hosted by Birmingham, Alabama (USA).
For more information, please contact the IWGA Media and Communication team: [email protected], Tel: +41 21 311 12 97, or visit our website.
