Winter Universiade / FISU World University Games

• The Winter Universiade was first held in 1960.
• Its current name is FISU World University Games Winter.
• The organiser is the International University Sports Federation (FISU).
• The multi-sport event is for university athletes.
• Venues and sports programmes change between editions.
• The Summer and Winter Games are separate editions of the same international event family.

The Winter Universiade is an international multi-sport event for university athletes. The first winter edition took place in 1960. It is organised by the International University Sports Federation, or FISU. Under the newer name FISU World University Games Winter, the organisation continues the Winter Universiade tradition. The older term remains in use for historical editions.

The event brings several disciplines together at a host venue and draws university athletes from different countries. Depending on the edition, the programme may include Alpine, Nordic and ice sports. Which disciplines feature depends on the decisions and circumstances of the host year. Eligibility follows FISU rules.

The Games provide an international stage for competitive student sport. Athletes represent their countries and universities in an environment that brings several sports together. This creates opportunities for athletes, support staff and university sports organisations to meet. The multi-sport format combines sporting results with exchange across the international university community.

Host venues rotate and take responsibility for organising the competition sites and event operations. The specific design ranges from sport selection to the schedule and venues. One edition can therefore have a different sporting profile from the previous one; the recurring feature is international competition for university athletes under the FISU umbrella.

“Universiade” was the public name of the Games for decades. With the introduction of the FISU World University Games brand, the name was aligned with the international governing organisation. The current winter edition continues the historical line of the Winter Universiade, which began in 1960.

The FISU Winter Games sit alongside World Cups and championships among events in skiing. The winter programme may include disciplines such as cross-country skiing and ski jumping; the FISU Games bring several sports together in a university competition.