The International University Sports Federation – FISU – has awarded the organisation of the 33rd Winter Universiade to the city of Changchun, located in Jilin Province in northeast China. The announcement was made on Wednesday in Changchun, where the FISU Steering Committee confirmed that the event will take place from 15 to 25 January 2027, bringing together the world’s leading university winter athletes.
During those days, student-athletes from more than 50 countries will compete at the Jingyuetan, Songhua and Beidahu ski resorts, in addition to using winter sports facilities in the city of Changchun itself. The programme will include sporting competitions, cultural activities and educational initiatives linked to university sport and winter development in northern China.
A new chapter for China
The selection of Changchun marks the second time that China will host a Winter Universiade, following the edition held in Harbin in 2009. This decision comes after the confirmation of Turin as the 2025 host city and forms part of the global calendar of the FISU World University Games, whose origins date back to the second half of the twentieth century.
The president of FISU, Leonz Eder, emphasised the connection with recent editions held in China, stating: “We would like to warmly thank our Chinese friends for their enthusiasm and the quality of their work.” He also highlighted the role of local authorities, noting that he was “particularly grateful to Party Secretary Huang for bringing the spirit, success and legacy of the Chengdu 2023 Games to Jilin Province and for strongly promoting the Winter Universiade project.”
Changchun and the golden zone for winter sports
The choice of Changchun builds on the city’s extensive experience hosting major winter events. Situated within what is known as the “golden latitude” for snow sports, it has organised competitions such as the Asian Winter Games and the Chinese National Winter Games, whose twelfth edition was held there in 2012.
The mayor of Changchun, Gu Gang, described the city as the “capital of powder snow” and recalled that it boasts six major ski resorts and dozens of ski runs supported by specialised infrastructure. The region also hosts recurring events such as Vasaloppet China, held every January in the scenic area of Jingyuetan, while resorts like Beidahu and Songhua Lake have staged Asian championships and World Cup events in various snow disciplines.
Winter Universiade 2027: sporting, tourism and university legacy
The Secretary General and CEO of FISU, Matthias Remund, underlined the impact the Universiade will have on the university system and the local environment. “Students from the 68 universities in Jilin Province, as well as the wider population and economy, will benefit from a fantastic boost,” he said. He added that the event “will leave a strong legacy for infrastructure, organisers and volunteers.”
The vice president of the China Student Sports Federation – CSSF –, Teng Lianshuai, noted that the institution will draw on its experience in winter university competitions to support operational work and international coordination. He also stated that the Universiade will serve as a platform to foster exchanges between young people from China and other countries, strengthening Jilin’s profile as a destination for snow sports and major university events.
