FISU World University Games 2025 – News – Rhine-Ruhr 2025 - Five cities

Thomas Eiskirch, Lord Mayor of the City of Bochum

“Rhine-Ruhr 2025 is a fantastic opportunity to showcase to the world how old industrial facilities have effectively been converted for new purposes – as exemplified by the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum. It stands for the courage to try out new things, to set new trends. A perfect bracket between tradition and modernity. The Lohrheidestadion is being completely rebuilt and will then be the only stadium in North Rhine-Westphalia where German outdoor athletics championships can be held from 2025 - a unique characteristic. And this will be the home of athletics - the mother of all sports. Moreover, the FISU World University Games are a community project in the best sense of the word. We are a vibrant metropolitan region where people do not just think about themselves. Whether we’re talking about long-term transformation processes, such as our common path to becoming the greenest industrial region in the world, or more specific projects, we’re all pulling together. That goes for attracting new businesses, planning joint land use, coordinating public transport, and of course, hosting the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games.”

Thomas Eiskirch © D.SPORTS - Kenny Beele

Sören Link, Lord Mayor of the City of Duisburg

“The anticipation around the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games is growing. We are already certain that we will be able to create ideal conditions for the athletes to deliver outstanding sporting achievements. But it is even more important to me personally to show the participants from all over the world that here on the Rhine and Ruhr and in the sports city of Duisburg we are going to be warm and welcoming hosts. I am absolutely convinced that an international sporting event of this magnitude has grown to become a matter of enormous social significance. Young people who might have very different origins or cultural backgrounds will come together not only to compete in athletic events, but also to stand up for values such as fair play, respect and tolerance. This is the message that we will be communicating loud and clear, far beyond the borders of the Rhine and the Ruhr.”

Sören Link © D.SPORTS - Kenny Beele

Dr. Stefan Keller, Lord Mayor of the City of Düsseldorf

"The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games will be an outstanding milestone in the unique history of major sporting events in the region. I am convinced that Düsseldorf will present itself from its well-known side at this world's largest multi-sport event for student athletes: Hospitable, cosmopolitan and with a great quality of life. The city offers perfect conditions for the festive opening ceremony as well as numerous sports competitions and, with its international airport - then with a direct underground connection to the old town - and excellent hotel infrastructure, will also be the logistical hub of the Games on the Rhine and Ruhr. We are looking forward to hosting the sports world together with Bochum, Duisburg, Essen and Mülheim an der Ruhr in the summer of 2025."

Martin Ammerman © D.SPORTS - Kenny Beele

Thomas Kufen, Lord Mayor of the City of Essen

"The clubs in Essen and the region have been presenting the Ruhr region at the top international level for years. Numerous world champions or Olympic champions come from Essen's sport clubs. Amateur sport has also been and still is an important factor for many people to identify with their city. That is why we are looking forward to the FISU World University Games in the summer of 2025, because then top competitions will take place in the Grugahalle (basketball), at Messe Essen (fencing, judo and taekwondo) and on the grounds of Essen Gymnastics and Fencing Club (ETUF) (tennis). We are looking forward to it!"

David A. Lüngen, City Manager of the City of Mülheim an der Ruhr

"With the German Badminton Centre and the annual YONEX German Open International Badminton Championships, Mülheim an der Ruhr is the main location for the sport of badminton in Germany and therefore predestined to host the badminton competitions of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. With our new Styrum Sports Park and the "TrendSport" youth programme, we also have a lot of experience and good structures in other sports areas to contribute to an attractive side programme.”