Host Cities for 2025 Virtus World Championships For Multiple Sports Announced
Virtus is thrilled to reveal the host cities for the 2025 Virtus World Championships in Swimming, Nordic Skiing, Alpine Skiing, and Table Tennis. These premier global events will see top athletes with intellectual impairments competing at world-class venues across four vibrant cities.
1. World Nordic Skiing Championship – Bessans 2025
Skier performs at the Super G at the Virtus World Skiing Championships 2023 in Seefeld, Austria. Photo Credit: OBSV
The 2025 Virtus World Nordic Skiing Championship will be hosted by Virtus France, Fédération Française du Sport Adapté (FFSA) in Bessans, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The event will commence from 8 March until 14 March.
Since 2016, FFSA has organized more than 10 Virtus European and World Championships, including the 2023 Virtus Global Games and Virtus expects nothing less than another spectacular event.
Located at an altitude of 1750 m, Bessans is a traditional village, typical of Haute Maurienne, bordering the Vanoise National Park and Italy. This authentic, family-friendly village is steeped in tradition and boasts a rich cultural heritage. Situated on a vast, sun-drenched plateau, snow-covered from November to April, Bessans, a village surrounded by glaciers and peaks over 3,000 metres, has become one of the undisputed references for cross-country skiing and biathlon, both in France and internationally.
2. World Alpine Skiing Championship – Tignes 2025
Japanese Skier competing in the Alpine skiing competition at Virtus World Skiing Championships 2023 in Seefeld. Photo Credit: OBSV
Virtus is going to organize the Alpine and Nordic Skiing competitions separately from this year. The first edition of Virtus World Alpine Skiing Championship is making its way to the French Alps, hosted by the Fédération Française du Sport Adapté (FFSA), the competition will push off from 30 March -5 April in Tignes, France.
Tignes, France, is a high-altitude alpine resort known for year-round adventure and stunning scenery. Part of the expansive Espace Killy ski area shared with Val d’Isère, Tignes offers a variety of slopes, snow parks, and off-piste trails in winter. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, modern amenities, and commitment to sustainability, Tignes attracts thousands of athletes and adventure-seekers from around the world every year.
3. World Swimming Championship – Bangkok 2025
Alexander Hillhouse in action at GG2023. Photo Credit: T.Nguyen
From 20 to 30 August 2025, Bangkok will welcome the Virtus World Swimming Championship for the first time in Thailand. The Assumption University Aquatic Center will host the event, organized by the Sports Association for the Intellectual Disability of Thailand (SAIT).
This is the first time Virtus is bringing the World Swimming Championships to Thailand, following the successful INAS Asian Swimming Championship in 2016, the Indoor Para Archery World Cup, the 2016 World Shooting World Cup, the 2016 INAS Swimming Championships Asia and the 2017 INAS Athletics Championships. This event will be backed by the Paralympic Committee of Thailand and the Sports Authority of Thailand.
4. World Table Tennis Championship, Giza 2025
Virtus Ambassador, Rahma Khalid with her teammate from Egypt at Virtus Global Games 2023. Photo Credit: Luc Percival
Set against the iconic backdrop of the pyramids, the Virtus World Table Tennis Championship will take place in Giza, Egypt from 1 to 8 November 2025. The event will be organized by the Virtus member in Egypt – the Egyptian Sports Federation for Intellectual Disabilities (ESFID).
Backed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Egyptian Table Tennis Federation, and the Egyptian Paralympic Committee, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience for athletes and spectators alike.
The upcoming Virtus World Championships in Bangkok, Bassan, Giza and Tignes aims to deliver a world-class competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities across classes II1, II2, and II3. The countries are set to use this unique opportunity to raise awareness about the capabilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities and inspire future generations to excel in sports, highlighting their participation in both competitive and recreational sports. The championship will serve as a platform to strengthen friendships and unity among Virtus member nations, fostering a global network of support and camaraderie.
More information about the events will be available soon on the Virtus events calendar.
