WORLD UNIVERSITY SPORT IS COMING TO BRATISLAVA, AND CU WILL BE PART OF IT
Bratislava, 15 April 2026: This November, the Slovak capital will become a hub of global university sport. Following successful editions in Barcelona and Paris, Bratislava is set to take over the baton as host of the World Inter Universities Championship (WIUC). From 4 to 8 November 2026, Comenius University Bratislava (CU), as the event’s main partner, will welcome more than 5,000 participants from around the world. Preparations are also being supported by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, the City of Bratislava, the Slovak University of Technology and the University of Economics in Bratislava.
Held under the auspices of the Inter Universities Sport Federation (IUSF), the World Inter Universities Championship is one of the most prestigious platforms for thousands of student athletes from more than 30 countries. For Bratislava and Central Europe, this is a historic moment: never before has the region hosted an event of this scale.
“Sport is an integral part of our lives. It fosters determination, perseverance, patience and humility. In team sports, it also develops solidarity, teamwork and empathy. In a university setting, sport reinforces the character of the university as a community. I am delighted by the results achieved by our athletes and proud of the successes we continue to deliver. At the same time, we are helping to build healthy lifestyle habits, which our whole society needs,” stressed CU Rector Marek Števček.
The event is not only about competition; it also has a strong integrative dimension. Viktor Bielik, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (FSPORT CU), emphasised that the initiative “gets people talking and builds bridges across borders”. This was echoed by Robert Zsembera, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, who said that the energy of thousands of students would turn Bratislava in November into a vibrant and colourful city, creating one large international sporting family.
Tibor Balga of FSPORT CU, who has led successful university teams abroad for many years, also welcomed the news: “I am pleased that, after previous editions, our students will have the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd. I believe they will proudly represent not only our university, but also the city and the country.”
The City of Bratislava is making intensive preparations for the arrival of the athletes. According to Deputy Mayor Lenka Antalová Plavuchová, participants can expect a warm welcome in a city known for its hospitality. Ján Krišanda, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, added that the expected attendance of more than 5,000 people underscores the importance of this well-established event format, which helps build lasting international ties.
CU is not approaching the organisation as a newcomer, but as a multiple champion of the competition. Competing against hundreds of universities from around the world, its athletes have already claimed the overall title three times, making CU one of the most successful participants in WIUC history.