Since 2016, when it was proclaimed by UNESCO, student-athletes, trainers, and sport enthusiasts around the world have come together on September 20 to celebrate the International Day of University Sport (IDUS). This event is an opportunity to create and strengthen the links between universities and their local communities through physical activity, to share knowledge on key issues relating to the development of university sport and to raise awareness of its importance within educational institutions.

In Europe, IDUS celebrations also kick off the annual European Week of Sport (#EWoS), which takes place from 23 to 30 September. 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of this campaign, helping Europeans discover the benefits of sport and inspiring them to #BeActive.

EUSA joined the celebrations of these initiatives in multiple ways: from organizing activities during the European Universities Rowing Championship in Poland, to participating in the official opening of the European Week of Sport in Denmark, as well as engaging office staff in sport activities and encouraging members and partners to celebrate these initiatives in their own way, promoting sport, health, and active lifestyles within their communities.

Here is an insight into the diverse activities that took place throughout Europe:

Albania & Kosovo

Albanian University Sports Federation and Kosovo University Sports Federation successfully organised various sports competitions for student athletes of the two federations. On 25 and 26 September 2025, student athletes from the two countries meet at Fan S. Noli University, Korce in Albania to celebrate IDUS all together and compete in Karate, Basketball, Volleyball, Ping-Pong and Futsal. This event strengthened international cooperation and encouraged the exchange of educational and sporting values among young people.

In Albania, IDUS and BeActive were also celebrated with beach volleyball and swimming activities held at the Lalzi Bay. Organised by the University of Tirana, Luarasi University and the University of Medicine Tirana, this event combined sport, fun and university cooperation.

Austria

On International Day of University Sport, the Austrian University Sports Organisation held and took part in a wide range of events across the country. 

On 20 September, Unisport Austria participated in the Day of Sport at Vienna's Heldenplatz to show the importance of university sports to a wide audience. Visitors were able to meet some of the most successful Austrian university athletes of 2025 and take part in an obstacle race organised by the University Sports Institute Vienna.

Connecting the BeActive campaign and the World Mental Health Day, Innsbruck University organised the Healthy Mind Days, three days of workshops on Awareness, Neuroathletic Training, Mental Training and Breathwork for students and employees. University of Klagenfurt held the Carinthian Academic Tennis Championships, local championships taking place during the BeActive week.

IDUS was also celebrated through social media content created by the Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research.

Croatia

The president of the Croatian Academic Sports Association, Haris Pavletić, and secretary general Nikola Vincetić participated in the opening ceremony of the European Week of Sport in Zagreb. The ceremony was attended by numerous athletes, representatives of institutions and the sporting community. Citizens were able to take part in different sporting activities, from innovative sports technologies and mini tournaments to dance, acrobatics and fitness shows. Free training sessions and workshops have also been held throughout Croatia until 30 September.

Czechia

The Czech University Sports Association celebrated IDUS with online posts. They highlighted that International Day of University Sport is celebrated on 20 September because this date corresponds to the opening day of the first Student World Championships in 1924.

Estonia

In Estonia, 21 events were organised to celebrate IDUS, with over 2000 participants attending and 14 of the 16 universities in the country involved. A huge variety of sports activities were proposed: 3x3 basketball tournaments, padel tournaments, relays, running, rowing, spikeball and also a rope pulling session. The Estonian Academic Sports Federation listed all the events on its Facebook page and published on its Instagram page various videos of them.

Finland

The Finnish Students' Sports Federation (OLL) organised an online meeting about the participation and inclusion of international students in university sport in Finland, attended by staff and students from the Finnish universities around the country. Keynote speakers were Theo Bloemen, President of Ulysseus Student Association, and Atte Kolehmainen, EUSA Student Commission member.

The European Week of Sport was also the right moment to publish the social media campaign 

“The Time for a break?”. From September 20 to October 3 OLL raised awareness on the importance of reducing sitting in universities, especially during the lectures, giving facts and tips. Social media templates were provided to OLL members and university partners to ensure broad dissemination. This successful campaign also included an online panel discussion on how students would reduce sitting. OLL President Akseli Haanpää, National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences – SAMOK President Julia Väänänen and National Union of University Students in Finland Vice President Tilda Lassila were discussing.

In Finland, IDUS was also celebrated through a seminar on dual careers by the Finnish Olympic Committee. FOC awarded three universities (Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and Häme University of Applied Sciences) the quality mark of a top sports-friendly university. It also awarded Universiade gold medalist, para cross-country skier Inkki Inola as the student athlete of the academic year 2024-2025.

France

The French University Sports Federation celebrated IDUS with online content, reminding its students of the Pass’Sport. This tool provides a discount on sports club memberships to students receiving financial support for their studies, thus making sports more accessible.

The National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon, EUSA Associated Member, celebrated IDUS through a Facebook content highlighting one of its student-athletes performances at the recent Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championship. Sarah Madeleine, a fifth-year mechanical engineering student, achieved 8th place in the 1,500m final. Interviewed, she spoke about the challenges of combining sport and studies and about her university, whose High-Level Sport department enabled her to combine her two passions.

Germany

For the sixth time, the German University Sports Federation (ADH) celebrated IDUS with the ADH University Run. 838 participants from 81 ADH member universities took part in the 2025 Digital ADH University Run: students, employees and alumni of member universities were challenged to collect as many kilometres and meters of elevation as possible on foot within a maximum of 60 minutes, for themselves and their own university. While the Hessian University of Public Management and Security defended its title in terms of kilometres, OTH Amberg-Weiden took the crown for altitude meters. In total, all participants in the fifth ADH University Run covered 6,961.29 kilometres and 65,624 meters of elevation gain.

Hungary

On the occasion of the International Day of University Sport, the Hungarian University Sports Federation invited its students to the FISU Student Committee for the future of University Sport. In this online roundtable, topics such as inclusion in university sport and student engagement were discussed.

University of Miskolc, EUSA Associated Member, organised the XXV. University of Miskolc Sports Day on 25 September 2025. This is a non-teaching workday traditionally dedicated to sports, which connects to IDUS celebrations and the BeActive campaign. There were activities, demonstrations and competitions of different sports, from the well-known football and tennis to sabre fencing and cornhole. In addition to the traditional sports, this year’s Sports Day highlighted orienteering: participants had the opportunity to try it on courses of various distances and difficulty levels.

Italy

In Italy, each University Sports Centre (CUS) independently organised various events and activities in celebration of both International Day of University Sport and the European Week of Sport.

While Italian University Sport Federation did not directly organize a specific event, it aimed to highlight the importance of the International Day of University Sport through the publication of three social media videos: a video bringing together greetings from over 30 Italian University Sports Centres and two interviews to Aurora Grandis (fencer, gold medalist in women’s foil at the FISU World University Games Rhine-Ruhr 2025) and Bruno Beretta (FISU Student Ambassador for Italy 2025/2026 and sport volunteer). They speak about their experiences in university sport, sharing unforgettable moments and personal reflections.

Latvia

From 6 to 8 October, the 22nd annual international conference European Athletes as Students (EAS) took place at the University of Latvia. This year’s main theme (Dual careers of elite athletes: integrating sport and education for future success) is dedicated to how education systems and sports organisations can work together to ensure a sustainable future for athletes. The conference brought together around 70 participants from 16 countries: professors, researchers, representatives of national Olympic committees, as well as students and international organisations such as FISU. The EAS conference takes place in a different country every year. It presents scientific research, examples of good practice and builds cooperation for future projects. It is an important platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience between representatives of sports federations, universities, ERASMUS+ project partners and dual career experts.

Montenegro

Students' Sports Association of Montenegro celebrated IDUS with a memory movie of a university hike. As part of the European Week of Sport, they organised different sports activities such as tennis, 3x3 basketball and running.

Norway

A Student Run was organised by the Norwegian Association of University Sports to celebrate IDUS. Across campuses in Norway (Oslo, Sogndal, Lillehammer, Grimstad and Stord), students came together to raise funds for NOWSPAR (National organisation for women in sport, physical activity and recreation), supporting their important work to ensure that more female students get the chance to participate in sports. The result? 748 km turned into nearly 100,000 kroner in support of NOWSPAR’s mission.

Portugal

Portugal University Sports Federation (FADU) celebrated IDUS with an initiative held at the Cidade do Futebol, in Lisbon, which was attended by 51 participants, including students, managers and institutional representatives. Throughout the day, participants were able to attend moments of reflection, try different activities and live experiences linked to sport. The program included: Guided Tour of the Football City, Futsal training session, Lecture “The Importance of University Sports in the Development of National Sports”, EA FC26 Interactive Experience: "Get to know the National University Virtual Football Championship".

Slovenia

The Slovenian University Sports Association mainly celebrated IDUS through social media content, reminding the power of sport beyond physical activity, as a bridge between knowledge, healthy living and community.

Spain

The Spanish University Sport Committee celebrated the European Week of Sport through a video starring three special ambassadors: former basketball player José Manuel Calderón, Paralympic swimmer Teresa Perales and sailor Theresa Zabell. They spread the message that it's never too late to start exercising and never too early to start taking care of yourself.

University of Granada, EUSA Associated Member, held the second Sports Gala on September 26th as a part of European Week of Sport. The event was attended by over 300 people, and the best athletes of the 2024/25 academic year were recognised. Awards were presented across several categories, including best athletes, teams, and coaches, as well as special mentions for dedication and collaboration in promoting university sports. Special recognition was also given to individuals and institutions for their long-standing support of university sports and for contributing to major events. During the week, multiple other sporting events and introductory activities in sports such as handball, rugby and volleyball were organised.

Sweden

In Sweden, different sports activities were organised by universities across the country to celebrate IDUS. For example, in Uppsala, students could try out volleyball, spikeball and padel. Jönköping University Sport Association (JUSA) organised badminton, futsal, volleyball and cheerleading training sessions for students at the university. At the same time, they informed the participants about IDUS and its significance.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, sport-oriented challenges were proposed at various locations across the University of St.Gallen. About 400 students and employees participated in these challenges. When completing 2 out of 4 stands, they received a small gift. At the same time, there was a competition across all stands, and the winner of this overall competition also received a prize.

Türkiye

On International Day of University Sport, Türkiye University Sports Federation published celebratory content on its social media. Bilkent University, with its Physical Education and Sports Centre, organised a hike named “Sport as a way of life”. This event was attended by a large number of university students and employees. 

Ukraine

The National University of Physical Education and Sport of Ukraine celebrated the European Week of Sport and International Day of University Sport by organising various sporting events throughout the week, as well as through social media posts. Students and the department’s teachers played alongside each other in football, badminton, basketball and volleyball.

More information about the campaigns:
• International Day of University Sport: fisu.net/fisu/about-fisu/international-day-of-university-sport
• European Week of Sport: sport.ec.europa.eu/european-week-of-sport
• Healthy Lifestyle for All: sport.ec.europa.eu/healthylifestyle4all