This FISU event held in Mid Sweden in August will bring together students, university leaders, experts and sport stakeholders from around the world.
Does travelling to beautiful Sweden at the end of the European summer to meet up with fellow students, other university leaders or inspiring experts and sport stakeholders to discuss topics under the theme “Active Body, Healthy Mind: How Impactful Sport Can Be at Universities” sound? Pretty exciting indeed!
The Östersund 2026 FISU World Forum, scheduled from 24-28 August, will explore how sport can be a powerful driver of health, inclusion, academic success and institutional excellence within higher education.
Rich and interactive programme
Participants will benefit from a rich and interactive programme composed of keynote lectures, panel discussions, workshops and poster sessions. A strong emphasis will be placed on student engagement: students will be briefed to work in international teams on a dedicated student project, which they will present at the end of the five-day FISU Forum. In addition, FISU will present its new strategic vision for 2027-2031, offering participants valuable insight into the future direction of university sport and the global challenges and opportunities ahead.
Meet the keynote speakers
Five experts will take on the three subthemes of this FISU Forum.
“Healthy Campus – the Key for Wellbeing and Excellence”
Michelle Tanner (Ireland) is a key contributor to the Healthy Campus movement, supporting universities in implementing holistic wellbeing strategies for students and staff.
“University Sport Events: Driving Change Through Inclusivity and Good Governance”
Hans Westerbeek (Belgium – Victoria University (AUS) is a recognised expert in sport governance and management, specialising in the social impact, inclusivity and ethical leadership of sport events within higher education.
Johanna St-Clair Renard (Sweden) works in the field of good governance and inclusion in sport, with strong experience in developing transparent and inclusive frameworks for sport events and organisations. She will address the second subtheme.
“Dual Career Friendly Universities”
Lukas Linnér (Sweden) is a specialist in Dual Career development, focusing on institutional policies and support systems that help student-athletes balance sport and education.
Miquel Torregrossa (Spain) is an internationally recognised academic concentrating on in Dual Career and athlete wellbeing, contributing to the advancement of sustainable student-athlete pathways at universities.
A chance to try out brännboll and biathlon
Hosted by Mid Sweden University (MIUN), the next FISU Forum will offer a unique blend of academic exchange, sport and culture. Participants will be invited to take part in several practical workshops and discover brännboll, a traditional Swedish sport. And with the Swedish National Biathlon Federation located in Östersund, participants will also have the opportunity to try biathlon, making these two disciplines the official sports of the event.
Healthy Campus Universities’ showcases
Beyond sport, the cultural programme will include dinners in unique and traditional venues, as well as the much-anticipated World Forum Fair, where National University Sports Federations (NUSFs) and Healthy Campus universities can showcase their cultures, traditions and initiatives.
Who can participate?
NUSFs may register up to five delegates, with at least three students, while respecting gender balance. A maximum of two officials is allowed per delegation.
For the first time ever, Healthy Campus universities are invited to participate. Up to 50 members of the programme may register, with a maximum of two delegates per institution. Given the limited number of places, early registration is strongly encouraged!
With general registration closing soon (24 February), don’t miss the opportunity by securing your place to be part of the conversations shaping the future of university sport.
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