Find out more about the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games host cities

In only a few days now, the best student-athletes of the planet will compete in 11 different sports in Piemonte. But where exactly will the action take place? Join our tour!

Three cities in the valley and three more in the Piemonte mountains. The will kick off in only a few days now and will bring joy, thrills and action to a whole region. Whether you are planning a visit to Torino and the Alps or will follow the events live on FISU.tv (find the whole schedule ), here is some more information about the six cities that will hist the upcoming competitions. Let’s start off in the valley with the ice sports, before climbing towards the snow sports in the mountains.

Torino

It is no surprise that we start with Torino, which holds a special place in FISU’s history. It is indeed there that Primo Nebbiolo conceived the Universiade in 1959. Since then, Torino has hosted three FISU World University Games and the permanent home of the brazier of the Universiade, just like Olympia with the Olympics.

Have you already read the guided tour that was published a few weeks ago krikyalive.com? As the first capital of Italy, Torino is a city with a thousand faces—regal yet dynamic, ancient yet contemporary. With more than 40 museums, a captivating UNESCO World Heritage circuit of Royal Residences, and a rich tradition of flavours from its excellent food and wine producers. Nestled against the hills and embraced by the winding Po river, the city is framed by the majestic Western Alps, where the snow competitions will take place.

With over 2,000 years of history, Torino can transport you from the ancient Egyptian artifacts of its renowned Egyptian Museum to the top of contemporary architectural wonders like the Mole Antonelliana, which houses the National Museum of Cinema.

The sports taking place in Torino

The beautiful Palavela, which already crowned Olympic champions in 2006, will host Figure Skating and Short Track Speed Skating. The Curling competition as well as Women’s Ice Hockey and the Men’s Ice Hockey semi-finals, bronze medal game and final will be in PalaTazzoli, a venue in the heart of the city which boasts two ice rinks.

And of course, the Opening Ceremony – set on the 13 January at the Inalpi Arena – the Closing Ceremony – on the 23 January outside on the Piazzetta Reale – as well as the FISU World Conference (14 January at The Centro Congressi Lingotto) will also all be in the city that is giving its name to these 2025 FISU World University Games Winter.

Pinerolo

Pinerolo is located at the heart of the “Pinerolese” region, stretching from the Torino metropolitan area to the French border. This diverse territory, rich in plural identities, offers visitors a varied and intriguing cultural and environmental heritage. Exploring the city means uncovering its medieval core, its rich Savoy history, the influence of three French dominations, and the founding of the Cavalry School. Nestled at the foot of the mountains and a short distance from the plains, it serves as a gateway to some of Pimonte’s most scenic routes, both in the plains and the mountains. Pinerolo was the Olympic venue for all curling competitions during the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games

The sport taking place in Pinerolo

The ice rink in Pinerolo will host Men’s Ice Hockey preliminary games.

Torre Pellice

The ice rink in Torre Pellice was built for the Torino 2006 Olympic Games where it hosted training sessions, before becoming a competition venue for the Torino 2007 Universiade (now known as FISU World University Games). Now renamed “Cotta Morandini,” the rink has since become the home of the local ice hockey team, the HC Valpellice Bulldogs, and over the years has hosted various sporting and cultural events, performances, and exhibitions.

Torre Pellice not only has a rich tradition in ice hockey but also in mountain sports. In this region, sport is not just a form of entertainment but also holds significant cultural and educational value, closely linked to the surrounding landscape.

The sport taking place in Torre Pellice

The “Cotta Morandini” will also host Men’s Ice Hockey preliminary games.

Bardonecchia

Bardonecchia has always had a strong connection with the world of sports. The “Bardonecchia Ski Club,” founded in the early 1900s, is one of the oldest in Italy. In the 1930s, the town saw the construction of its first sports and ski-lift facilities. Since then, there has been significant progress, with the expansion of both winter and summer sports disciplines, as well as the development of new facilities and infrastructure.

Bardonecchia’s passion for sports is matched by its dedication to university-level athletics. This is evidenced by the town hosting several editions of the National University Championships and the organisation of the 2007 Winter Universiade. The Alpine resort in Alta Val di Susa is excited to welcome the Torino 2025 FISU Games’ student-athletes, with the ambition of becoming an increasingly prominent destination for university sports.

The sports taking place in Bardonecchia

Alpine Skiing, Para-Alpine Skiing – for the very first time at FISU World University Games and the para-student-athletes will compete alongside their teammates, Snowboard, Freestyle & Freeski will all take place on the Bardonecchia snow.

Pragelato

The territory of Pragelato has long been known for its rich natural and forested heritage. The earliest records of Pragelato date back to the Middle Ages. Between the 11th and 12th centuries, this area became a target of expansion by the Dauphins of Vienne, who gradually took control of the entire upper Chisone Valley. From 1343 to 1713, Pragelato, along with other Alpine areas, became part of an autonomous region known as the “Republic of the Escartons,” a remarkable example of administrative autonomy and an early form of democracy. The inhabitants enjoyed fewer restrictions from the Dauphiné and greater freedom in association and land management. Although this autonomy eventually ended, the mountains had by then fostered a strong cultural unity based on Alpine traditions and ways of life that endure to this day.

The student-biathletes will compete in a new temporary venue at the bottom of the ski jumping tremplins that were used for the Torino 2006 Olympic Games.

The sports taking place in Pragelato

Cross-Country Skiing, Para-Cross-Country Skiing, Biathlon and Ski Orienteering will all take place on the “frozen field” of Pragelato.

Sestriere

The Colle del Sestriere, at an altitude of 2035 meters between Alta Val Susa and Alta Val Chisone, was, until the early 20th century, a high-altitude green pasture covered by meters of snow for half the year. It seemed as though nature had designed it to spotlight the emerging sport of skiing, making it a unique destination for skiing and tourism. From the pioneering descents of early skiers, the sport in Sestriere continued to grow, reaching new heights in the 1980s with the birth of the Vialattea ski area, which expanded the boundaries of skiing and opened the resort to international tourism.

Sestriere’s history is filled with memorable sporting moments, including Alberto Tomba’s thrilling victories in the giant slalom and slalom in 1987, which catapulted the Bolognese athlete to international fame. Tomba also won at Sestriere in 1994, securing victory in the first night slalom in Alpine Ski World Cup history. Sestriere’s reputation was further cemented with the 1997 World Ski Championships, the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, and numerous Alpine Ski World Cup events.

The 4th Winter Universiade took place in Sestriere, Italy, from February 5 to 13, 1966, hosting 434 athletes from 29 nations around the world. And now, Sestriere is ready to host the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games.

The sport taking place in Sestriere

Ski Mountaineering, which will officially become an Olympic sport at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games in 2026, will take place on the Sestriere snow in a spectacular night-time setting.

Written by Thérèse Courvoisier, pictures and info courtesy of the Organising Committee