Who we are and what we do

The World School Games is a multisport series of events that champions the power of sport to shape global citizens for the future.

Founded in 2018, the WSG Event Series aims to unearth the World Champions of school sport. We strive to create first-class sporting experiences for students from across the globe to compete in state-of-the-art facilities and on the world stage.

The Series is inclusive, transcending geographies and educational systems to be truly open for all - a celebration of global sporting excellence, culture, determination, and friendship.

Today’s Champions, Tomorrow’s Leaders.

Our Values

RESPECT

We pride ourselves on encouraging respect - between athletes, coaches, officials, and parents from different backgrounds.

COMPETITION

Passionate, healthy competition between students that shapes and reveals character. Winning with class and losing with grace.

INTERNATIONAL

Transcending geographies to deliver unforgettable experiences and allow young people to compete on the world stage. Opportunities that build confidence, resilience, and strength of character.

History

2018

World School Games is founded & history made

The first World School Games multisport event is hosted in Dubai, UAE marking a new chapter in the international school sporting calendar. The event would become colloquially known as ‘WSG Dubai’ and run for ten hugely successful editions.

Three new events added

One year later, the Event Series is born thanks to the arrival of WSG Netball, WSG Football, and WSG Basketball. These sport-specific events added an extra dimension to WSG, and allowed students to showcase their talents on the world stage.

2019

2020

Third WSG Dubai & pandemic shutdown

Just weeks before the world went into lockdown thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the third edition of WSG Dubai takes place for U11 and U13 age groups. These would be the last WSG Events until March 2022.

The Series returns with a new event

WSG Dubai returns in March 2022 with the addition of a new U15 age category. May 2022 also sees the first World School Swim Championships - hosted at the iconic London Aquatics Centre and making waves in the global school swimming gala calendar.

2022

2023

WSG Basketball moves to Valencia

After two brilliant editions in Abu Dhabi, UAE The World School Basketball Championships moves to a state-of-the-art new facility in Valencia, Spain - L’Alqueria del Basket. The largest basketball training facility in Europe would prove a huge hit and become the home of the event.

Series grows to six & impact of floods felt

The sixth event in the Series is born with the inaugural World Schools Golf Championship held in Scotland in September. WSG Basketball is postponed due to the devastating floods in Valencia, with the event pushed back to January 2025. The WSG Event Series and partners at the Twedex Foundation lead fundraising efforts amongst participants at the rearranged Championships.

2024

2025

Tenth WSG Dubai & two new events

The tenth and final edition of The World School Games is hosted in Dubai, with the rebranding to WSG Olympia and move to Doha, Qatar announced at the Closing Ceremony. A pilot event for the new World School Volleyball Championships is held in Turkey, as the inaugural World Schools Dance Championship is also announced.

A new chapter for the Series

The inaugural World School Games Olympia is held at the impressive Aspire Zone in Doha in January, with over 1200 athletes taking part in our biggest event ever. The first official WSG Dance and WSG Volleyball competitions are also held, taking the Series to eight incredible events.

2026