In 2029, North Carolina’s Research Triangle is set to host the FISU Summer World University Games for the first time since 1993.
“North Carolina’s university sports are so strong, that this is the ideal location in America for the FISU World University Games” FISU President Leonz Eder told the Governor. “With the more than 10,000 participants from around the world staying on, and competing and training at, local universities, it will mark a great return for the FISU Games to university campuses in 2029!” Governor Stein talked about his own love of sports, underscored the importance of the FISU World University Games to North Carolina, and emphasised the strength of the State’s support for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
This 12-day event, taking place from July 11 to 22, will award 1,950 medals across 18 sports, representing 100 countries and 600 universities. Over 10,000 athletes will participate in 275 sporting events at 40 venues. Spectators in attendance are expected to total 600,000, with an additional 300,000,000 broadcast viewers worldwide.
“To be among one of the first major international trips by the new FISU CEO to visit the host of the organisation’s largest event is quite an honour and speaks well of North Carolina, the U.S., and our Games Organising Committee,” said Hill Carrow (front right) Chairman & CEO of NCOC and the 2029 FISU World University Games, in a press release. “We were impressed with Matthias. He has just become the head of one of the world’s largest sports organisations, and though only on the job for a few months, has hit the ground running with both a good grasp of the business side of a mega-event like the World University Games, but also forward-thinking plans regarding how to take both the Games, and FISU itself, to the next level.”
In March, Secretary General and CEO Matthias Remund, along with FISU President Leonz Eder and FISU Director of Summer Games Jing Zhao, visited North Carolina to meet with the North Carolina Organizing Committee (NCOC) and assess the progress towards the 2029 games.
“It was clear that North Carolina has what it takes to give us full confidence in the venues and accommodations departments,” said Remund in a press release. “Budgets and finances are key to any major event and NC USA has early support from the State and several significant companies and organisations, and good ways to go towards meeting its financial goals for the event. We feel good about where things stand at this point, while realising much hard work over the next four and quarter years to the Games lies ahead. Importantly, we have a very good relationship with the North Carolina Organising Committee and look forward to working with them to ensure the major success of the FISU World University Games in July of 2029!”
GroupHousing will serve as the Official Housing Bureau for the 2029 Summer World University Games.
“After a months-long selection process, we are delighted to name GroupHousing as our Official Housing Bureau for the 2029 World University Games,” said Carrow. “We are looking to GroupHousing to provide the best possible Games experience to friends and families, Games partners and supporters, international sports executives, and, of course, the sports fans who will be traveling to North Carolina from all over the United States and the world for the big event.”
Host hotels for the 2029 games are expected to expand across the Games’ footprint, which currently extends from Raleigh to Winston-Salem. Hotels will be selected based on their reputation for offering high-quality amenities, competitive price points, and proximity to the Games and venues.
“We look forward to working with the many fine hotel properties across the Triangle and Triad areas of North Carolina to put together a great group of Host Hotels that will feature a wide variety of price ranges and amenities that will ensure a quality guest experience for the thousands of fans and visitors expected for the Games,” said Mike Hill, GroupHousing’s vice president of sales and business development.
Located in Cary, the NCOC serves as the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2029 FISU Summer World University Games. The LOC is tasked with planning, developing, and executing the 2029 games in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill-Cary-Greensboro-High Point-Winston-Salem region of North Carolina.