North Carolina Continues Preparations for the 2029 World University Games

During its most recent Executive Committee meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, earlier this month, the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the international governing body for the World University Games, approved the competition dates of the 2029 FISU World University Games in North Carolina USA to be the following:
 

Wednesday, July 11 through Sunday, July 22, 2029
 

“We are grateful to the FISU leadership for confirmation of these dates for the Games,” said Hill Carrow, Chairman & CEO for the 2029 World University Games. “These were the dates recommended and requested by our university hosts and other venues involved in our bid as being the best dates for those host institutions and facilities to be able to accommodate the Games. Now that the dates have been set, we can add more specificity to our project timelines as we continue to plan for the big event.” 

First-Ever Progress Report on the 2029 WUG

At that same Executive Committee meeting on March 1, the North Carolina Organizing Committee (NCOC) was asked by FISU to deliver its first-ever Progress Report on preparations for the 2029 Games in North Carolina. Hill Carrow presented the report on behalf of the Organizing Committee, which was well-received by the membership. Both the President of FISU, Leonz Eder, and the Secretary General, Eric Saintrond, congratulated North Carolina on being ahead of typical Games timelines, but cautioned Team NC to stay on top of their game because, though the big event seems far away at this point, the time for preparations for every global mega-event always passes way too quickly.

Meetings with International Sports Federations

Lausanne, which refers to itself as Olympic City, home of FISU and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is considered the center of international sports, and many of the International Sports Federations (IFs) have their headquarters or significant operations there. The North Carolina USA Team took advantage of that fact while in town for the FISU Executive Committee sessions and visited with both the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), and International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). Jing Zhao, Director of the Summer World University Games for FISU joined the meetings with Sylvie Martinet, Sports Event Manager for FIG, and Fabio Azevedo, General Director; Rahaleh Ahadpour, Beach Volleyball; and Alice Kessler, Head of the Volleyball Department, at FIVB. Both Ifs were excited to learn more about the FISU Games in North Carolina, including the likely venues and athlete housing for their sports. Both also provided valuable input on quality competitions, fan engagement, and the athlete experience for the 2029 Games.

WUG Host Cities Recognized as Top Host Cities for Sports Events

The Sports Business Journal (SBJ) recently ranked the top cities in the United States at winning and hosting sports events and Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Greensboro all received major recognition. Raleigh/Durham/Cary were ranked together as the #23 “city” in the US in the sports events industry. In ranking the Triangle region, SBJ cited coming events of USA Baseball, the ACC, NCAA, and the 2029 World University Games; venues such as PNC Arena, the Raleigh Convention Center, and Durham Bulls Athletic Park; and new major hotels in development. Meanwhile in a separate ranking of “Cities without a Big Five Team”, Greensboro was ranked #2 in the country (just behind Ft. Worth, Texas). SJB complimented the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, the Greensboro Aquatic Center, and NC A&T State University’s Truist Stadium, all of which are venues for the 2029 FISU World University Games.