North Carolina not selected as host for 2027 Summer World University Games

North Carolina will not be hosting the 2027 Summer World University Games.

In an announcement made Saturday in Brussels, Belgium, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) executive committee said Chungcheong Megacity in South Korea had been chosen over the bid made by North Carolina.

FISU reported that acting president Leonz Eder called Chungcheong the “ideal place” to hold the games, also adding, “While Chungcheong is today’s choice for 2027, we would be delighted to have North Carolina as a host for the FISU World University Games in the future at the first available opportunity.”

North Carolina’s bid, which would have had the Triangle and Triad hosting the events, was headed by Hill Carrow, chairman and CEO of the N.C. Bid Committee.

The Summer World University Games are expected to have as many as 150 countries and athletes from 600 universities participating.

Carrow said in August that he was optimistic North Carolina could land the bid, saying the state had committed $25 million contingent on securing the Games. The World University Games would have been held in July 2027.

“I feel like we’re very sports-capable in terms of major events in this area,” Carrow told The N&O in August. “When it comes to staging the event, I think we’re really well-equipped for that.”

A delegation of officials from FISU, which is based in Lausanne, Switzerland, visited the Triangle in August. The group toured several venues, including PNC Arena. Some of the baseball could have been played at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Carrow said, and venues such as UNC’s Boshamer Stadium.

The 2027 Games will be held in 18 sports in South Korea.