TWG 2025: A Record-Breaking Celebration of Global Sport and Spectator Experience

TWG 2025: A Record-Breaking Celebration of Global Sport and Spectator Experience

published on 19 December

Lausanne, Switzerland – 19 December 2025 — The International World Games Association (IWGA) Executive Committee (ExCo) convened on 17 December in Lausanne for its final meeting of the year. One of the key items on the agenda was the release of findings from the comprehensive Evaluation Report prepared by Quantum Consultancy.

The report confirms that The World Games 2025 in Chengdu achieved record participation, exceptional audience satisfaction, and unprecedented digital and broadcast engagement. These exceptional outcomes were made possible thanks to the outstanding work of The World Games 2025 Chengdu Organising Committee, the City of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and the Chinese Olympic Committee.

Report Highlights

Athlete Demographics and Gender Balance

TWG 2025 featured 3,895 athletes from 111 nations, reaching near-perfect gender parity with the most balanced edition in the history of The World Games. The event programme also included 33 mixed-gender competitions, bringing the total number of medal events to 256, underscoring the IWGA’s commitment to inclusivity across all sports. According to the post-event survey, 99% of athletes had a positive experience at TWG 2025.

• Attendance and Ticket Demand

Public interest was reflected in strong ticket demand. Nearly 220,000 tickets were sold, making Chengdu the third-best attended edition in the event’s history. Ticket prices ranged from 30 yuan (USD 4.20) to 880 yuan (USD 124) depending on the sport and competition phase — ensuring accessibility while maintaining premium options for high-demand events.

• Volunteer Programme

Public interest in contributing to TWG 2025 was exceptionally high. A total of 75,874 volunteer applications were submitted, and more than 17,000 volunteers were selected to support the delivery of the event.

• Online Media Coverage

TWG 2025 generated substantial impact in digital journalism and news media. Online coverage reached 430 million across 12,855 published articles, reflecting strong global interest in the athletes, sports, and human stories emerging from Chengdu. Germany, the United Kingdom, and Argentina were among the countries generating the highest levels of online reach.

• Social Media Engagement

The Games reached unprecedented heights on social media, generating 13.1 million engagements across 19,239 posts, including contributions from IWGA channels, International Federations, National Olympic Committees, and national sports organisations. IWGA, NOC/NSO, and IF channels accounted for 38% of all posts and 43% of all engagement, demonstrating an exceptionally active and global online community.

• Digital Engagement and TWG Live

TWG 2025 marked the launch of The World Games Live, the official streaming platform of The World Games. The platform attracted almost 1.1 million unique users and generated 1.7 million video plays across multiple territories worldwide. Flag Football, Flying Disc, Korfball, Gymnastics, and Roller Sports drew particularly strong interest. The platform’s success reflects IWGA’s commitment to expanding digital reach and connecting audiences with the Games wherever they are.

• Global Broadcasting and Media Reach

Traditional broadcast television achieved record levels as well. The Games reached a cumulative audience of 178 million viewers worldwide through primary coverage, supported by over 2,000 hours of monitored broadcast time across markets including China, Poland, the USA, Czechia, and others. In addition to live sport coverage, news programming in China generated an additional 270 million in reach, underscoring the cultural and media impact of TWG 2025.

IWGA President José Perurena commented: “The World Games 2025 have marked a new era for our movement. From record athlete participation to digital breakthroughs and unprecedented audience reach, Chengdu delivered a Games of inspiration and global connection. These achievements were made possible thanks to the exceptional dedication of the Local Organising Committee, the City of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and the Chinese Olympic Committee. The 2025 edition proves the growing relevance of The World Games on the international sporting calendar and we move forward with renewed confidence toward future hosts and future generations of athletes.

“From exceptional visitor satisfaction to long-term tourism impact, from digital innovation to global broadcasting reach, The World Games 2025 has proven transformative for the IWGA, for the participating sports, and for Chengdu itself.”

TWG 2025 will be remembered as a landmark edition that sets a new benchmark for future organisers.

The full Evaluation Report can be accessed here

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 World Games 2025 took place in Chengdu (CHN) from 7-17 August 2025. 4,000 athletes from more than 110 countries took part in this 12th edition.

For more information, please contact the IWGA Media and Communication team:
[email protected], Tel: +41 21 311 12 97, or visit our website.