Chengdu, China, 5 August 2025 – Anticipation is building as athletes, fans, and officials gear up for the grand Opening Ceremony of the 12th edition of The World Games, which will take place on Thursday at 20:00 (local time) at the Tianfu International Conference Center in Chengdu. With a mix of tradition, spectacle, and international unity, many are calling it “the first big party of the Games.”
From dragons and pandas to dazzling performances, expectations are high for what promises to be a memorable evening. For athletes, the chance to march together under their nation’s flag is a moment of pride and emotion — a celebration of unity before the competitions begin.
“This is going to be an amazing show,” said Patrik Lemoran, from the Philippine Floorball Team, echoing the sentiment shared by many athletes. He and teammate Noah Larano are embracing the unique spirit of The World Games. “It’s different from World Championships,” said Larano. “We support our compatriots at other sports, and they cheer for us — that’s what makes this experience so special.”
The Filipino Floorball players are hoping to catch events like softball, martial arts, and drone racing during their downtime. “Those sports are just cool,” Lemoran added.
While the ceremony marks the official start, some competitions begin even earlier. In fact, Philippines vs Latvia in Floorball kicks off the tournament Thursday morning at 09:00 — hours before the first fireworks light up the Chengdu sky. Softball and floorball will see their first action Wednesday, as part of a packed schedule of 256 medal events over the coming days.
Meanwhile, Disc Golf athletes from Austria — Raphaela Narath, Julia Hauch, and Sören Lohse — arrived early and were greeted by a hot Sichuan welcome. “We landed at 6 a.m. and it was already 30 degrees,” said Narath with a laugh. But the heat hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm. “The World Games are the biggest stage for our sport,” said Hauch. “To be here in Chengdu, competing for Austria — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Lohse summed it up well: “The Opening Ceremony will be the first, but certainly not the last big party here in Chengdu.”
The MMC opens its doors
With more than 4,000 athletes from 114 countries and regions participating, The World Games in Chengdu are attracting unprecedented media attention. Over 2,000 accredited journalists — the most in the history of The Games — are reporting from the host city.
The Main Media Centre (MMC), located in the West Financial Innovation Centre Cluster, has been fully operational since Monday, providing a high-tech home base for global media. The MMC also houses the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) and offers facilities such as press conference rooms, studio spaces, and even a lounge area with a robotic coffee machine serving complimentary coffee daily.
The Organising Committee has gone above and beyond to ensure the best working conditions for the media. “State-of-the-art” may not be enough — “forward-looking” is more fitting.
Live content and highlights from the competitions will be streamed live via The World Games Live, making it easier than ever for fans and media to stay connected.