The 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships Are Coming To Brisbane, Australia

The 2025 Virtus Athletics World Championships are set to take place in Brisbane, Australia, from 8–15 October 2025, marking a milestone event for elite athletes with an intellectual impairment. This international competition will bring together top athletes from around the world, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their talent, determination and excellence on a global stage. The event will attract veteran athletes, Paralympians and foster the development of emerging athletes who may have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in the youth competition. Virtus member in Australia, Sport Inclusion Australia will be organising the event.

Brisbane, the vibrant capital of Queensland, is the perfect host city for the Championships. Known for its warm climate, stunning riverfront, and welcoming atmosphere, Brisbane offers a unique mix of modern infrastructure and natural beauty, with lush parks and bustling cultural precincts. As a hub for major sporting events, outdoor adventures, and arts festivals, Brisbane provides an ideal backdrop for an unforgettable sporting experience. With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, the city continues to grow as a global leader while maintaining its relaxed and friendly charm.

Sport Inclusion Australia has extensive experience in hosting multiple Virtus events since 2004, showcasing their ability to deliver world-class competitions, including the 2019 Virtus Global Games in Brisbane, featuring multiple sporting organisations and international federations, followed by the 2022 inaugural Virtus Oceania Asia Games. In 2024 and 2025, they continue their legacy with the Virtus Cycling World Series, reinforcing their commitment to excellence in inclusive sports. This wealth of experience ensures that the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships will be delivered with the highest level of professionalism and excellence.

Helen Croxford, President of Sport Inclusion Australia, said the team are delighted to be hosting the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championship in Brisbane.

“Twenty years ago, we hosted the 2005 World Athletics Championships in the city of Canberra and the legacy of developing sport and sport pathways for athletes with an intellectual impairment has continued to grow stronger with every event. Brisbane will be familiar to many athletes following the successful Global Games in 2019 and Oceania Asia Games in 2022, and we look forward to welcoming new and returning athletes to Brisbane, which is also the host city of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We hope that a full athletics program for track, field and youth events across all three eligibility groups will attract athletes from all Virtus member nations, and for the Oceania region, we hope to introduce Virtus events to our Pacific Island nations through this event,” Croxford said.

Sport Inclusion Australia has placed an athlete-first approach, excellence and community engagement at the heart of the event planning. Their vision is to deliver a uniquely memorable and exciting celebration of sport and culture that focuses on ability while also fostering growth in developing countries. The event will inspire achievement, promote harmony and create a sense of unity in alignment with the Virtus movement’s mission.

The 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships will leave a profound and lasting legacy. It will provide athletes with a world-class platform to showcase their talents, inspire young people with disabilities to pursue their sporting dreams and educate communities on the importance of inclusion.

Virtus calls on all its member nations to get their athletics teams ready for competition at the highest level.

For more information about the event, visit the event calendar page and keep following Virtus on socials.