What is the World Urban Games?
The World Urban Games (WUG) is a multi-sport event focusing on urban sports and lifestyle. It was created by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) as a platform to promote popular sports in urban environments and engage with the youth audience.
The inaugural edition of the World Urban Games took place in Budapest, Hungary in September 2019. The event featured a range of urban sports disciplines, including 3×3 basketball, freestyle BMX, parkour, freestyle inline skating, freestyle flying disc, and urban breaking (breakdancing). Athletes from various countries competed against each other, showcasing their skills in these dynamic and visually impressive sports.
List of Sports at the World Urban Games
Competition:
- Basketball, 3×3
- Cycling, BMX Freestyle and BMX Flatland
- Dancesport, Breaking
- Gymnastics, Parkour speed
- Orienteering, Sprint Orienteering
- World Skate, Roller Freestyle and Skateboard Streat
- Flying Disc Freestyle
Showcase:
- Baseball & Softball, Baseball 5
- Modern Pentathlon, Laser run
- Rowing, Indoor Rowing
Culture at the World Urban Games
A festival atmosphere makes the Games accessible to fans and families alike, with chances for all to engage with the event. Events and activations accompany the competitions, to bring the values of combat sports and martial arts to life:
- A festival for fans
- Ambassador programme
- Sports Demonstrations/ Entertainment
- Youth masterclass
- Cultural exhibitions and conferences
Selection Process for the Various World Multi-sport Games
GAISF and SportAccord President Raffaele Chiulli said:
“We are delighted to open the host city selection process for future multi-sport Games. All of these events bring the best of sport to the heart of a city while engaging with youth communities through inspiring initiatives to encourage greater participation in physical activity.
“We are also excited to be working with SportAccord from an operational perspective on the delivery of these various events. SportAccord has extensive experience in the organization of world-class events and a thorough understanding of the global sports community and multi-sport event landscape.”
Following the successful inaugural 2019 edition of the GAISF World Urban Games in Budapest, GAISF has scheduled a second edition for 2023. The initial version included BMX freestyle, inline roller freestyle, parkour, breaking, 3×3 basketball, and freestyle flying disc, together with laser run and indoor rowing. The World Urban Games places sport at the heart of a family-friendly city-center festival that also includes music and art.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia was recently selected as the next host of the World Combat Games with Riyadh set to become the beating heart of martial arts combat sports in 2023. Finally, the World Mind Games is a multi-sport event centered on the gymnasium of the mind and highlighting the great value of mind sports.
Featured Image: GAISF