The International Day of University Sport is more than a series of sport events put on in city centres. September 20 is an annual occasion for communities to come together and discover new sports through movement and peerless instruction.

Universities play a special role in the sporting world and are where sport can be fully integrated into the education of today’s and tomorrow’s citizens. The International Day of University Sport is celebrated annually on September 20.

Officially endorsed by UNESCO and the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the day showcases the vital role sport plays in our social and civic lives.

Through sport, we most often really learn self-respect and respect for others. It is through sport that fair play and the pursuit of excellence are practised in tandem. For us to reach our potential, both as individuals and as a collective, education and sport need to be at the core of our endeavours. September 20 is the day to remind all that sport is available to everyone.

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What to expect during the International Day of University Sport events

Sport is about activity and movement. As such, International Day of University Sport events are made up of everything from leisure sport activities and competitions to workshops and cultural happenings. Just be ready to move! The day is a celebration of sport, open to all citizens of all ages.

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Want to put on a successful International Day of University Sport event? #LetsIDUS

Hosting an International Day of University Sport event is an ideal way to create links between your university and your local community — all centered around sport, physical activity and healthy living. September 20 is the day you can be part of the worldwide movement for sport of all, but especially that taking place on the university campus. By putting on this FISU-endorsed event, you can rely on the best practices and opportunities learned by others that have successfully hosted one before. For more detailed information, contact education@fisu.net.

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2018 International Day of University Sport in Numbers

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What were some of the #IDUS highlights?

In 2018, FISU marked the International Day of University Sport by announcing a new plan to get more students active. The new project, set to launch in 2019, is called "Healthy Campus". 

The 2018 International Day of University Sport featured events in Lausanne, where FISU is based, as well as across the world. The most high-profile event was at the University of Turin, which staged the lighting of the flame for the 2019 Torch Relay building up to the start of the Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk, Russia on March 2.

FISU’s main goal is to promote health and well-being through sports and physical activities. Universities are often the best place to enact meaningful change, with student-athletes ready to lead the next generation. The International Day of University Sport taps into this well of energy and experience. The day is not about promoting competition, though, it is about providing the outlet to inspire general physical activity to all. University students are our future. The International Day of University Sport is a way to a brighter one.

The event began in 2016 when over 8,500 people came out to play at the University Sport Festivals.

Having proven the concept of an event dedicated to Sport for All that works as a platform between students and citizens outside campus, FISU is making preparations to achieve its ultimate goal with the International Day of University Sport. And that is to promote and stimulate the University Sport Movement on a global scale. Come join us on September 20 at an iconic city landmark for a day of sport and discovery.

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How to find out more about the events

For more information regarding the International Day of Sport, contact FISU Education Services at: education@fisu.net

Interested in finding out how to host an event in your city or at your university? Check out the International University Sports Festival Handbook by clicking here.