Hagen is the first city in NRW to receive the Host City Plaque

On Monday, 6 May 2025, it became official: the city of Hagen is one of six host cities of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. Hagen was the first city in North Rhine-Westphalia to receive the Host City Plaque at a ceremony - a sign of recognition and appreciation for the city's commitment to organising the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games.

The celebratory moment was embedded in a special stage of the torch relay, which accompanies the symbolic flame of the FISU Games on its way through Germany. After the torch had already been carried through cities such as Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne and Berlin, it now made a stop in Hagen - where presenter and Hagen native Matthias Killing personally led the torch through his home town. The emotional highlight was the handover of the torch to Lord Mayor Erik O. Schulz. The torch relay is one of the highlights in the run-up to the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. The torch of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games was lit as part of the FISU Games Winter in Torino in January 2025. The torch began its journey from the historic birthplace of the FISU World University Games towards Germany. The torch relay will make stops in the six host cities of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games - Bochum, Duisburg, Essen, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Hagen and Berlin.

The award recognises Hagen's role as an active co-creator of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. Together with the other five host cities - Bochum, Duisburg, Essen, Mülheim an der Ruhr and Berlin - Hagen is helping to make this major international event an unforgettable experience for athletes, spectators and guests from all over the world.

Basketball will be played in Hagen during the FISU Games. The venue is the traditional Ischelandhalle - a modern multi-purpose arena that regularly hosts sporting competitions, concerts and major events, providing ideal conditions for top-class competitions. Hagen has been a true basketball stronghold for decades. With a strong club landscape, passionate fans and a deeply rooted sports culture, the city has made a name for itself beyond the region. The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games are thus building on a long basketball tradition in Hagen - and promise exciting games in front of a sports-loving audience.

With the official handover of the Host City Plaque, the final preparatory phase now begins for Hagen - with great anticipation for a summer highlight in 2025 that combines sport, science and culture in a unique way.