One World – A Thousand Friends
Event Overview & Dates
The United World Games are among the most popular youth sports events in Europe, attracting thousands of young people from Austria and around the world. Each edition offers an Olympic-like atmosphere of friendly competition and camaraderie—a true celebration of togetherness.
Example 2024 schedule: 20–23 June in Klagenfurt, Austria at Wörthersee Stadium.
UNESCO Patronage
Values & Atmosphere
From the beginning, the Games have embodied the core values of UNESCO: cultural exchange, respect, fair play, and teamwork. Competitions bring young people together and encourage the sustainable development of a peaceful, inclusive, and integrative society.
In addition to the competitions, participants enjoy fun and entertainment, highlighted by an opening ceremony with a flag parade and fireworks display.
Sports & Scale
Disciplines & Reach
Across 16 sports—including volleyball, football, rugby, field hockey, ice hockey, tennis, floorball, ultimate frisbee, basketball, golf, 3x3 basketball, and ball hockey—the Games operate at true mega-event scale.
In 2019, over 10,500 participants and more than 800 teams from 32 countries took part, with around 15,000 spectators at the opening ceremony.