Colourful opening ceremony lights up the FISU World University Games

The buzz for this year’s Rhine-Ruhr FISU World University Games was set alight on Wednesday night following a colourful opening ceremony held at the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena, the football stadium of the city and home of the rich in tradition MSV Duisburg FC.

Over 20,000 people attended the ceremony at the 31,418-seater facility that also hosted the 1989 opening and closing ceremonies of the Universiade.

The Opening Ceremony provided the delegations, media, and audience with a lively and emotional experience, serving as a prelude to the following twelve days of sporting action.

The spectators celebrated the start of the games with powerful moments, frenetic applause, and a palpable sense of togetherness throughout the arena.

The stage that took a quarter of the field was a work of art: framed by gigantic LED walls, the impression of a glowing virtual bridge emerged as a symbol of what the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games is all about: connection across borders.

Artificial chimneys surrounded the field of play, which were ignited and paid homage to the industrial heritage of the Ruhr area while striking a symbolic spark towards the future.

The parade of delegations was a triumph of diversity: flags from all over the world filled the arena, making tangible what the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games aim to be: a cosmopolitan gathering of young talents.

The Games were opened by FISU President Leonz Eder, who praised the enthusiasm of the region: "A great and impressive opening for wonderful games. We are pleased about the high number of participating nations. The energy tonight was impressive. The region of North Rhine-Westphalia truly lives the spirit of the FISU Games,” he stated.

Uganda’s delegation was represented at the high demand event by Team Uganda captain Seth Akampa alongside 800m runner Marvarous Oshaba as well as Table Tennis player Teddy Iryn Wotanabeera and AUUS general secretary Patrick Ssebuliba.

Uganda’s badminton team will be the first in action in the Mixed Team Group Phase—Rounds, which will go on from Thursday, July 17, until Friday, July 18, at the Westernergie Sporthalle in Mulheim and der Ruhr before the Individual Event Preliminary Rounds on July 22.

The swimming events that will include the Men's 400m Freestyle Heats, Women's 50m Butterfly Heats, Men's 50m Butterfly Heats, Women's 200m Backstroke Heats, Men's 100m Breaststroke Heats, Women's 4x100m Freestyle Relay Heats, and Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay Heats will also begin on July 17 at the Schwimm-und Sprunghalle im Europasportpark in Berlin.

On the same day, table tennis action will also begin with the Men's & Women's Team Group Stage matches at Messe Essen Halle 1 in Essen, preceding the Men's & Women's Singles Group Stage games on Sunday.

The men's and women's singles first-round tennis matches will also take place at the ETUF Tennisanlage in Essen before athletics events centre stage on Monday, July 21, at the Lohrheidestadion in Bochum.