The 12th World Games launched in spectacular fashion on August 7, 2025, as Chengdu transformed its Sichuan Province stadium into a canvas of cultural storytelling and technological innovation. Under the theme "Boundless Sports, Countless Wonders," the opening ceremony merged traditional Chinese elements like Sichuan opera masks and bamboo-inspired choreography with holographic projections and drone light shows.
Organizers emphasized the event’s role in showcasing China’s modernization path, featuring synchronized performances by over 5,000 volunteers and a parade of athletes from 100+ countries and regions. A highlight included a digital recreation of the ancient Silk Road, symbolizing global connectivity through sports.
Business analysts note the Games’ potential to boost Chengdu’s tech-driven economy, while travel influencers highlight newly unveiled infrastructure enhancing accessibility to Sichuan’s UNESCO-listed sites. For diaspora communities, the ceremony’s fusion of Mandarin pop anthems and regional folk music sparked widespread pride on social platforms.
The World Games will run through August 17, featuring 35 non-Olympic sports including drone racing and breakdancing – a first in the event’s history.
