History & Vision
Get to know our values and take a look at our history!
UWG stands for...
… a modern, top class and well run multi sports event for children and youngsters, that combines international freindship, cultural exchange, love for sports and values such as tolerance and fairplay.
… a global community and the power of sports, to have a positive impact both on society as well as on the individual.
… social responsibility and an overarching positive outlook on life connected to sports, health and respectful interacion with all fellow human beings.
… honest and high quality event tradition, tight collaboration with strong local and regional partners and personal participant service.
Our history
In June 2023, the United World Games celebrated their 19th anniversary, reason enough to take a look at the past and the eventful history of our Games.
We look back with joy and pride on 19 years of UWG, almost two decades full of exciting sporting competitions, steadily growing popularity and interest, countless unique stories and unforgettable experiences.
We are overjoyed and grateful that we were able to make this breathtaking journey together with you, our great participants, and can hardly wait for the start of the next UWG. Our community is growing from year to year, we still have a lot of plans and want to continue to build bridges with you and celebrate the positive and unifying power of sport in the spirit of respect and fair play.
How it all began…
In 2004, a team of young sports fans decided to internationalize a small regional sporting event that was only intended for Austrians. It took a year of organizing and, above all, phone calls, as teams from all over Europe had to be informed and invited. The concept of youth sports games with an Olympic flair and a great fun factor, but above all with plenty of opportunities to meet each other away from the sports facilities, seemed convincing from the outset.
Our vision
IGNITING THE FIRE OF FRIENDSHIP AND UNITING THE WORLD THROUGH SPORTS.
MORE THAN A TOURNAMENT
The UNITED WORLD GAMES are more than just a tournament. The games are among the most popular youth sporting events in Europe and attract thousands of young people from all over the world every year. Sport unites, even if the skin color, origin and religion of our participants are different.
The UWG is a major annual sporting event under the patronage of UNESCO, which has grown continuously and improved in quality since its first edition in 2005. In the meantime, however, the United World Games have also established themselves as a global movement and community, symbolizing the many positive values and dimensions of sport: respect, fair play, responsibility, togetherness, team spirit, exchange and friendship, exercise and health.
ONE WORLD – A THOUSAND FRIENDS
International friendship and cultural exchange through sport are at the heart of the UWG. All our participants – whether former or future, whether players, coaches, volunteers or referees – are part of the UWG family.
We bring young people from all over the world together through their shared passion for sport. The unique atmosphere of the UWG provides unforgettable moments for our participants, while at the same time the games offer a platform to get to know people from different parts of the world, exchange ideas and network, make contacts and form friendships. The joy of sport and the open interaction of cultures are at the heart of the games.
In addition to the sporting competitions, an extensive supporting program offers all participants lots of fun and entertainment. The combination of great and modern venues such as the EURO 2008 Arena (also called Wörthersee Stadium, as “Players Town” the center of the games), the fantastic location in the heart of Carinthia and its beautiful lake landscape and the international character of the major event leads to a unique flair and offers our participants the perfect mix of sport, exchange and vacation.