Ski Aggu opens RUHR GAMES 2025

In 2025, the next edition of the RUHR GAMES Festival will be an outstanding part of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. From 17 to 20 July 2025, the RUHR GAMES Festival at the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum will offer spectacular and unforgettable moments with urban art, live concerts, and action sports. At the same time, the competitive sports programme, including the 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball competitions of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, and the FISU World Conference will also be taking place at the Jahrhunderthalle.

The dovetailing of the two events underlines the importance of the Ruhr region as a melting pot for international sport, culture, and young talents. The first highlight at the Jahrhunderthalle will be a concert by Ski Aggu, one of the brightest German artists these days.

In 2023, Ski Aggu not only produced the party hit song of the year with 'Friesenjung', but also won three 1LIVE crowns. The success continued in 2024. In September, his new album 'Wilmersdorfs Kind' debuted at number one in the German album charts for the second year in a row and earned him another Crown nomination in the 'Best Artist' category. With his mix of wordy party songs and socially critical lyrics, the 27-year-old captures the zeitgeist of Generation Z and is therefore the perfect opener for the sports and culture festival in the summer of 2025. A further headliner for the festival and cultural programme will be announced shortly. 

The Ruhr region – Interaction brings benefits for all 

The Ruhr Regional Association – in 2025 acting as a sponsor – and the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games – acting as an organiser – will create positive synergy effects for the young sports enthusiasts while promoting the Ruhr region as a top sports location and embracing the well-connected cities as well as the participating athletes. This will further strengthen the Ruhr region as an outstanding location for top international sport and unique cultural experiences. 

‘The RUHR GAMES are Europe's largest sports and cultural festival for young people and are therefore a permanent fixture in the events calendar of the Ruhr region. It is therefore only logical that the popular format will take place as a one-off festival edition in 2025 as part of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. It is not common for two major projects to collaborate so closely and harness their synergies for the benefit of the region – but it is typical of the Ruhr region. Presenting modern sports, urban art and live concerts and bringing young people together is at the heart of the RUHR GAMES and fans can also look forward to this as part of the FISU World University Games,’ says Garrelt Duin, Regional Director of the Ruhr Regional Association. 

‘The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games not only stand for great competitions in 18 sports, but also for a colourful festival in the Ruhr region with top-class entertainment and action sports. Together with RUHR GAMES, we are offering a particularly attractive programme at the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum,’ says Niklas Börger, Chief Executive Officer of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. 

3x3 basketball, 3x3 wheelchair basketball and other trendy sports create a great atmosphere 

Greta Kröger, 3x3 basketball player and Rhine-Ruhr 2025 ambassador, is looking forward to the competitions next summer: ‘3x3 basketball is a young, fast and cool sport that fits perfectly into the ambience of the Jahrhunderthalle,’ says the medical student at the University of Cologne, who combines her demanding studies with competitive sport and is already looking forward to next summer's big sports festival. As the first Para Sport at the FISU World University Games Summer, 3x3 wheelchair basketball will also be part of the programme in the Jahrhunderthalle. 

BMX athlete and RUHR GAMES Festival ambassador Lars Kindermann from Hattingen is also looking forward to the special atmosphere: ‘The RUHR GAMES always create a really cool atmosphere. I am really looking forward to being part of the festival,’ he says. Spectators can look forward to exciting performances and shows in BMX Flatland, BMX Spineramp, Urban Dance and Calisthenics in the outdoor area around the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum as part of the RUHR GAMES Festival. 

Jahrhunderthalle Bochum receives official venue plaque 

The Jahrhunderthalle industrial monument is a central venue for the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. Niklas Börger presented Andreas Kuchajda, Managing Director of Bochumer Veranstaltungs-GmbH, with the official venue plaque for the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. In addition to the two sporting events, the Jahrhunderthalle will also host the FISU World Conference, providing an excellent platform for interdisciplinary scientific exchange.

Photo: © Rhine-Ruhr 2025/Graebe Media