The World Games 2029 Karlsruhe

The World Games are one of the world’s largest multi-sport events and, every four years, the international highlight for more than 30 sports and disciplines not included in the Olympic programme. In 2029, Karlsruhe will become the first city ever to welcome athletes and fans from around the globe for a second time, after hosting the event in 1989. And it’s not only sports enthusiasts who can look forward to the return of The World Games to this southern German metropolis. TWG2029 will be more than sport. It will be a platform for sporting excellence, cultural exchange, and international community.

WELCOME (BACK) TO THE HEART OF EUROPE.

4.000

Athletes

The impressive number of participants promises not only thrilling, world-class competition but also exceptional cultural diversity. Each delegation brings its own traditions, experiences, and sporting strengths – turning The World Games 2029 into an international celebration of sport.

Over 30

sports

With over 30 non-Olympic sports, The World Games 2029 showcase the wide range of modern sport. They unite precision, dynamics and innovation – giving world-class athletes a stage to showcase the diversity of their disciplines.

A TOP EVENT

in the sporting world

As one of the world’s largest multi-sport events, The World Games are a global highlight and a fixed date in the international sports calender.

WELCOME

back to Karlsruhe

The World Games will return to Karlsruhe in 2029. After hosting a successful edition in 1989, Karlsruhe will become the first city ever to host The World Games twice.

On August 17th 2025 Karlsruhe officially took over the baton for The World Games 2029. During the closing ceremony of the twelfth edition of The World Games in Chengdu, China, Minister of State Dr. Christiane Schenderlein, Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Sport Theresa Schopper, and Karlsruhe's Mayor Dr. Frank Mentrup received the flag and the symbolic heart.

The handover was accompanied by a performance by dancer Maxima Bachmayer and the The World Games 2029 song, presented by Toni Mogens, a musician from Karlsruhe, creating an atmospheric and artistic setting.

The World Games 2029 Karlsruhe (TWG2029) will take place from July 19th-29th. In the run-up to TWG2029 a wide-ranging programme of sporting and cultural activities as well as numerous participation formats will take place. In future the Organising Committee will regularly provide updates on events, activities and the status of preparations via the website (www.twg2029.com) and TWG2029’s other digital channels (Instagram and LinkedIn).

With around 30 top sports The World Games 2029 Karlsruhe (TWG2029) will showcase a wide range of modern sports. They unite precision, dynamics and innovation. They also offer world-class athletes a stage to present the great diversity of their disciplines. The sports in which the athletes from around 100 countries will be competing in, will be announced in the course of 2026.

The multi-sport event is being organized by the city of Karlsruhe in cooperation with the state government of Baden-Württemberg, the federal government, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). An organizing committee has been set up for this purpose, headed by managing directors Martin Wacker (chairman, CEO) and Pascal Rastetter (CFO), with Markus Leonhard (COO) as an additional member of the management team.

To host the The World Games 2029, the City of Karlsruhe will rely on existing competition and event venues – or on sites that are already in the planning. No new venues will be built for TWG2029. Key locations include the Karlsruhe Festival Grounds (Festplatz), the Congress Centre with the Schwarzwaldhalle and the modernised Stadthalle, the Palace Park (Schlosspark), Messe Karlsruhe, and many other venues across the city. Beyond the competitions, these sites will also host a wide-ranging programme of cultural and sporting activities and entertainment.

Ticket sales for The World Games 2029 Karlsruhe have not yet started. We kindly ask for a little patience, as the sports programme, venues and the accompanying programme still need to be finalised. As soon as tickets go on sale – likely well in advance of the Games – the Organising Committee will provide updates via the website (www.twg2029.com) and TWG2029’s other digital channels (Instagram and LinkedIn).