International Day of University Sport

Promoting university sports around the world

An annual tradition since 2016, the 20th of September is the International Day of University Sport (IDUS). Officially proclaimed by the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO), this celebration helps create links between universities and their local communities with sport, physical activity and healthy living playing the leading role.

Throughout the month of September, FISU involves multiple university sports stakeholders and member organisations in IDUS activities, not only as a way to promote its sports events but also to create a debate on university sport and to promote FISU values. IDUS is a platform to exchange ideas, best practices, challenges and opportunities within and through university sport worldwide.

Celebrating 10 years of IDUS in 2026

2026 marks the 10 years of the International Day of University Sport proclaimed by UNESCO!

This year, we would like the whole university sports family to take part to the same global event: 10  years – 10 kilometres. On 20 September, we all move together, we share our local event with the world, from Oceania to the Americas and we add up all or our kilometres to show that, together, we can join all countries around the globe.

How does it work?

• You set up a 10k course. It can be in your city, around your campus or even on water. As you wish!
• You gather as many people as possible to move together over 10km
• You document this with photos, films and articles
• At 16h in your local time you post something on Instagram. Use #IDUS2026 and please tag @FISU.​
• You add up all the kilometres from your event and share this number with FISU by email (communications@fisu.net)
• Like before, you share all the photos, articles, reels and testimonies with FISU after the event. Photos and videos here, reports, articles etc by email (communications@fisu.net and development@fisu.net)

Let’s celebrate the International Day of University Sport’s ten years in style.

Join the movement. Together, we move around the globe.

“I am happy to see each year all the activities happening worldwide for the International Day of University Sport – IDUS – and would like to thank you all for the great commitment. Let us not only think of sport and do sport on this special day, but let us take this unifying day as an opportunity to strive for and implement sport and exercise daily, to let it become part of everyday life on campus and in our routines. We wish you much joy and success in doing so!”

– Leonz Eder, FISU President.