The torch for The World Games (TWG) 2025 Chengdu, named Zhumeng (lit: Bamboo Dream in Chinese) Photo: VCG

As the countdown to the Chengdu 2025 World Games dropped below 40 days, a global ticket sales ceremony was held on Monday, while the 27 competition venues are now nearing completion with final inspections underway, the Executive Committee for the Chengdu World Games announced on Monday.

The global ticket sales of the Chengdu Games, which features 34 sports and 60 disciplines, began at 8 pm on Monday. Tickets are categorized into four tiers, with prices ranging from 30 yuan ($4.18) to 880 yuan, the organizers told the Global Times. Sales will be only available online, with the purchase channels including the website and official ticketing WeChat official account of the Chengdu 2025 World Games, said the organizers.

According to the plan, all World Games venues will be fully completed by July 10. Adhering to the principle of economical and intensive use of resources, Chengdu has not built any new venues for the Games. Among the 27 competition venues, 18 are existing facilities with partially functional upgrades, while nine involve setting up temporary structures in the lakeside parks.

Cheng Zhuo, head of the Tianfu New Area publicity department for the World Games, told the Global Times that the Tianfu New Area's venue upgrades are divided into three main zones: Tianfu Park, Xinglong Lake Beach Venues, and the Xinglong Lake Beach Arena.

In recent years, the Xinglong Lake Wetland Park has become a popular destination for water-related outdoor recreation among Chengdu residents. 

Ren Ke, a representative responsible for the lakeside zone, told the Global Times that construction of the lakeside venue officially began on June 3. On Sunday, the arena passed the sports engineering and functional acceptance tests organized by the city's executive committee.

"The lakeside venue is located in the core area of Xinglong Lake. To minimize disruption to residents and tourists, we conducted thorough planning and optimized the construction schedule, completing the venue in less than a month," Ren said. "The venue's functional spaces, seating, furniture, and air conditioning are all rented or borrowed, embodying the principles of simplicity, safety, and excellence in hosting."

The lakeside venue will host four events: parkour, triathlon, dragon boat races, and a canoe marathon. Seating arrangements have been carefully designed to enhance the spectator experience, with seats positioned at key viewing spots: 757 seats for parkour, 775 for the triathlon, and 1,120 for the dragon boat races and the canoe marathon events. 

Notably, 832 of the 1,120 seats for the water events make use of Xinglong Lake Plaza's existing stepped lakeside viewing area. These steps offer a panoramic view of Longquan Mountain and sit right next to Xinglong Lake, saving construction costs while providing spectators with a stunning view of international sports set against the backdrop of mountains and the cityscape.

Also located in Tianfu New Area, Tianfu Park acts as an urban "green lung" surrounded by office buildings. Fistball and climbing competitions will be held here, with the venues built on the park's lawns using temporary seating and removable tents. This approach prevents damage to the original environment, maximizes the use of reusable resources, and demonstrates the Games' commitment to a "green and low-carbon" philosophy.

"The functionality of the venue has been completed for now. We're just waiting for the climbing walls to be installed in mid-July. After the competition, our four Fistball training and competition walls will be preserved as a legacy tocontinue to provide venue support for enthusiasts and future events," said Pu Yan, an event representative.

From June through August, Chengdu will also launch a shopping season combining World Games elements with the city's unique local characteristics. In popular commercial areas, immersive experiences featuring AR/VR interactions and sports markets will bring residents and visitors closer to the spirit of the World Games.

The Chengdu 2025 World Games are scheduled to take place from August 7 to 17.