The United States has reportedly submitted a bid to host the 2027 Summer Universiade (World University Games), a year before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. A host city has not been identified, but The Sports Examiner has suggested the multi-sport event head to an area that can offer athlete housing and competition and training facilities. Raleigh, North Carolina; Houston, Texas; Austin, Texas; and Indianapolis, Indiana were suggested.
The United States last hosted the Summer Universiade in 1993 in Buffalo, New York, when the Games were opened by President Bill Clinton. The Games were held three years before the 1996 Atlanta Olympics which was the last time the US hosted the quadrennial event.
“We’re excited about what’s coming up and bringing the World University Games back to the U.S,” said Dan Guerrero, former UCLA Athletic Director and current Chair of the U.S.-International University Sport Federation (US-IUSF).
The 2021 Summer Universiade will be held in Chengdu, China, and the 2023 Games will be in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
The US will host 2023 Winter World University Games in Lake Placid, New York, from 12-22 January. Guerrero said that interest in the WUG is increasing, with a possible host city in Germany for 2025 and the U.S. for 2027.
The summer Universiade currently hosts 15 required sports (including swimming), and three optional sports. The host of the 2027 Summer Universiade should be announced in 2023.