International Day of University Sport

The International Day of University Sport (IDUS) is celebrated annually on 20 September. Established by UNESCO in 2015 following a proposal by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the day recognises the important role that sport and physical activity play within higher education and society.

Since its first celebration in 2016, IDUS has grown into a global movement, bringing together universities, students, sport organisations, local communities and public institutions through a wide range of activities promoting healthy lifestyles, wellbeing, education, inclusion and social engagement.

The initiative highlights the unique contribution of universities as environments where education, research, innovation and sport come together. Through sport, universities foster personal development, leadership, social responsibility, intercultural understanding and community participation, while encouraging students to adopt active and healthy lifestyles.

Every year, universities and university sport organisations across Europe and beyond mark the occasion through sporting events, recreational activities, workshops, conferences, educational programmes, volunteering initiatives and community outreach projects. The celebrations showcase the positive impact of university sport and strengthen connections between campuses and their local communities.

The #LetsIDUS campaign also serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices related to university sport, physical activity, wellbeing, sustainability, inclusion and student engagement. It encourages institutions and individuals to demonstrate how sport can contribute to healthier, more connected and more resilient societies.

In Europe, the International Day of University Sport also acts as a natural starting point for the European Week of Sport and the #BeActive campaign, reinforcing the common goal of promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles among people of all ages and backgrounds.

As an associate partner of FISU and a long-standing promoter of university sport, EUSA actively supports the International Day of University Sport by encouraging its members, universities, student-athletes, volunteers and partners to organise activities, share their experiences and celebrate the values of sport, education and active citizenship.


EUSA invites you to join the initiative, and share your university sport’s pictures and videos. Publish them on your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts, using the hashtags #LetsIDUS #BeActive and #MyEUSA and send us an email at communications@eusa.eu. We will collect and publish them on our various EUSA media platforms. You are encouraged to use the IDUS logo in your pictures, too. You can print it or add the logo afterwards. See the FISU website for details.

As one of the key promoters of university sport in Europe, EUSA actively supports and celebrates the International Day of University Sport every year through awareness campaigns, sporting activities, events, and cooperation with its members and partners across the continent.

In recent years, EUSA has strengthened the connection between the International Day of University Sport (#LetsIDUS) and the European Week of Sport (#BeActive), encouraging universities, students, volunteers, university sport federations and local communities to embrace active lifestyles and participate in sport-related activities.

The Association regularly integrates IDUS celebrations into its major events and activities. In 2025, EUSA celebrated the International Day of University Sport together with participants and volunteers of the European Universities Rowing Championship in Bydgoszcz, Poland, highlighting the role of sport in promoting health, wellbeing, inclusion and community engagement. The celebrations continued through the European Week of Sport, including participation in the official opening event in Copenhagen, Denmark, and additional activities organised by the EUSA Office and its partners.

In 2024, EUSA marked the occasion through cycling activities, a #BeActive run organised during the EUSA Convention and EUSA-FISU Seminar, and various sport initiatives involving EUSA representatives, member federations, volunteers and university sport stakeholders.

In 2023, EUSA celebrated the International Day of University Sport through outdoor recreational activities, including a #LetsIDUS hike in Ljubljana organised together with university and student organisations, promoting the values of active living, wellbeing and community participation. Additional celebrations took place during the European Universities Beach Sports Championships and the EUSA General Assembly.

Beyond its own activities, EUSA annually coordinates and promotes a Europe-wide overview of IDUS celebrations organised by its member federations and associated universities. Through dedicated campaigns, news articles and social media initiatives, EUSA showcases hundreds of activities ranging from university sport festivals, tournaments and recreational events to educational workshops, volunteering initiatives, dual career seminars, wellbeing programmes and inclusion-focused activities. These celebrations demonstrate the diversity and positive impact of university sport across Europe and contribute to the global visibility of the #LetsIDUS movement.

Through its continued cooperation with FISU, UNESCO, the European Commission and national university sport organisations, EUSA remains committed to promoting the educational, social and health benefits of university sport and encouraging universities to use sport as a tool for inclusion, personal development, community building and active citizenship.For more information, please visit the the official websites www.fisu.net and www.unesco.org.