The Torino 2025 FISU World University Games were officially opened with a superb opening ceremony that took place yesterday at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy.

Student-athletes from 54 nations carried their colors high, mobile phones in hand, capturing the spectacular moments and showcasing the joy and pride in representing their countries and sports disciplines in the great marchpass. 

The opening ceremony marking the start of a week of competitions was also an occasion for understanding the joy, pride, and sportsmanship that sports events bring, supported by performances exploring contemporary themes through art and music.

Even if a few competitions– like ice hockey, curling, and snowboard– started a few days ago, the spectacular opening ceremony offered a perfect mix of action – acrobatics, energetic dancing, amazing acts by circus artists and magicians, and an inspiring piano act by Giovanni Allegri, one of the Italian most renowned artists.

 The ceremony also saw the participation of 25 professional dancers and more than 200 volunteers, who made sure the entertainment part and ceremony itself progressed as planned.

The official opening of the Games, after the speeches of Organising Committee President Alessandro Ciro Sciretti and FISU President Leonz Eder, was declared by Italian Ministry for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi.

The student-athletes also enjoyed the show from the stands, as artists from well-known institutions like the Cirque du Soleil and Magnus Utopia puzzled everyone with incredible magical tricks.

A delegation from the European University Sports Association (EUSA) attended the opening ceremony and will stay in Torino for an observer visit in the next couple of days.

The evening saw the presence of many former and present local Olympians as guests, and ended with Italy and Juventus’ former football superstar Giorgio Chiellini, who, as the last torchbearer, “lit” a drone that turned the whole arena red before dutifully flying off to light the vasque in the historical heart of Torino, where it will “burn” for the next ten days.

From January 13–23, a total number of 2564, from which 1655 student-athletes will attend, compete and enjoy 11 different sports disciplines. For the first time at the FISU Games Winter, para student-athletes will compete, as events will be held in both para-alpine skiing and para-cross-country skiing.

The student-athletes will compete in 11 sport disciplines, both indoor and outdoor, held across 6 different municipalities: Torino, Bardonecchia, Pragelato, Pinerolo, Torre Pellice, and Sestriere.

Indoor sports include curling, ice hockey, short track speed skating and figure skating, while the outdoor sports include: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross country skiing, freestyle freeski, para alpine skiing, para cross country skiing, ski mountaineering, ski orienteering and snowboarding.

The Torino 2025 FISU World University Winter will conclude on the evening of January 23 with a closing ceremony at the picturesque Piazzetta Reale.

For more information, please see www.fisu.net and https://wugtorino2025.com/en/

photos courtesy of FISU and Torino 2025 FISU World University Winter Organizing Committee