The 2029 World Games, also known as Karlsruhe 2029, is an upcoming international multi-sport event held from 19–29 July, 2029, in Karlsruhe, Germany.[1] They will be the 13th edition of the World Games, a multi-sport event featuring disciplines of Olympic sports and other competitions that are not currently contested at the Olympic Games.
 | |
| Host city | Karlsruhe, Germany |
|---|---|
| Opening | 19 July 2029 |
| Closing | 29 July 2029 |
| Website | https://twg2029.com |
Karlsruhe previously hosted the 1989 World Games, making this the first time the World Games has been hosted in the same city twice, and the third time Germany has hosted the World Games, after the 2005 Games in Duisburg.
Bidding process
editThe German Olympic Sports Confederation nominated Karlsruhe to host the 2029 World Games. On 1 May 2024, the International World Games Association awarded the Games to Karlsruhe.[2]
Development and preparations
editVenues
editOrganisers plan to entirely use existing or already planned venues, including the Festplatz, Kongresszentrum Karlsruhe, Messe Karlsruhe, and temporary venues across the city.
The Games
editSports
editOn 25 April 2026, the initial list of sports was officially announced by the International World Games Association. An additional four sports (bowling, racquetball, sambo and softball) are under consideration pending final approval. A second phase of planning in 2026 will announce medal events, parasports, and sports chosen by Karlsruhe, the host city.[3][4]
For the first time, hockey5s (a variant of field hockey which features 5 players per side) will be represented at The World Games.[5] Sumo will return for the first time since 2022, after it was dropped from the 2025 program due to issues during competition. American football and indoor hockey will be represented as official sports after last appearing as invitational sports in 2005. So far, three sports from the previous edition of The World Games were dropped from the 2029 program: duathlon, flag football and powerboating.
- Confirmed sports
Air sports (disciplines to be confirmed)
American football
Archery
Beach handball
Billiard sports (disciplines to be confirmed)
Boules sports- Canoe sports (disciplines to be confirmed)
Cheerleading
Dancesport (disciplines to be confirmed)
Fistball
Floorball
Flying disc- Gymnastics (disciplines to be confirmed)
- Hockey
Ju-jitsu
Karate
Kickboxing
Korfball
Lacrosse
Lifesaving
Muaythai
Orienteering
Powerlifting
Roller sports (disciplines to be confirmed)
Sport climbing
Squash
Sumo
Tug of war- Underwater sports (disciplines to be confirmed)
Water skiing
Wushu
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- Sports under consideration
References
edit- ↑ "The World Games 2029, Karlsruhe (GER)". IWGA. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "40 years later: The World Games to return to Karlsruhe in 2029". IWGA. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "The World Games 2029 Sports Programme unveiled". IWGA. 25 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Sports". The World Games 2029. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "Hockey 5s to become World Games 2029 medal sport". The Hockey Paper. 27 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.