2026 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports Open in Liaocheng
2026 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports Open in Liaocheng
LIAOCHENG, Oct 12 – Mind Sports in the Water City, Connecting the World Through Wisdom. On the evening of October 11, the 2026 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports opened in Liaocheng, where more than 200 athletes from 21 countries and regions gathered in the Water City to compete in intellectual prowess and showcase their youth.
Liu Jin, Vice President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and Chair of the International Supervision, Control and Arbitration Committee, and Man Kaijie, Vice Secretary General of Joint Secretariat of National Student Sports, Ministry of Education of China and Vice President of the Federation of Chinese University and School Sports, delivered speeches. Li Changping, Secretary of the CPC Liaocheng Municipal Party Committee, declared the event open. Zhang Baishun, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Liaocheng Municipal Party Committee and Mayor of Liaocheng, delivered a speech. Also in attendance were Geert Magerman, Chair of the Bridge Technical Committee of FISU, and Ma Weihong, Vice Mayor of Liaocheng, who presided over the ceremony.
At 19:30, the opening ceremony officially commenced, with participating delegations and athletes entering the venue in sequence. All attendees rose as the National Anthem of the People’s Republic of China was played.
In her address, Liu stated that this event is not merely a championship but a grand gathering celebrating global university sports, intellectual strength, and the shared values that unite us. Excellence, friendship, respect, solidarity, integrity, inclusion, and fair play are the core spirits of this competition.
Man noted that the Federation of Chinese University and School Sports has always adhered to the educational philosophy of “health first” and is committed to promoting the vigorous development of university sports worldwide. He expressed the hope that the competition would foster exchanges and mutual learning in university mind sports globally, elevating them to a new level.
Zhang remarked that Liaocheng has the reputation of China’s “Home of Chess,” where mind sports have become deeply integrated into the daily lives of its people, forming a distinctive cultural identity for the city. He believes that this international event will significantly promote the ongoing popularization and vigorous development of mind sports. He hopes that all participating athletes will stimulate their thinking through competition and strengthen friendship through sincere exchanges, jointly writing a new chapter in the development of global mind sports. Liaocheng will spare no effort to provide thoughtful and heartfelt service and support, and warmly invites everyone to explore the city more deeply during their free time, experiencing Liaocheng’s natural scenery and cultural charm.
At approximately 20:10, Li declared the 2026 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports officially open.
The ceremony featured a captivating cultural performance that fully incorporated elements of the “Two Rivers” culture, vividly showcasing the youthful vitality of Liaocheng. Representatives of athletes and technical officials took the oath.
The 2026 FISU World University Championship Mind Sports, organized by FISU, represents the highest-level international competition in mind sports for university students. This event features two disciplines: Chess and Bridge, marking the first time the World University Championship Mind Sports are being held in China.
By Zhao Zongfeng, Jiao Yang, Huang Zhen and Yang Guang
