The FISU World University Games are an 11-day international festival that combines high-level sport with educational and cultural events.

On January 12-22, 2023, the world’s top student-athletes will meet in Lake Placid, New York for the 2023 FISU World University Games. With over 2,500 participants and representation of over 50 countries, the FISU World University Games comprise the largest international winter multi-sport event for student-athletes.

Curling has been named as one of the nine compulsory sports in the winter edition of the FISU World University Games, welcoming both a men’s and a women’s division.

The teams representing the United States will be determined by a playdown hosted by Fargo-Moorhead Curling Club in Fargo, North Dakota, on Oct. 21-23, 2022.

The event was initially scheduled to take place at Duluth Curling Club, but due to unforeseen complications with ice installation, will be relocated to Fargo.

“The Duluth Curling Club was looking forward to hosting the playdown for the World University Games, but due to delays with the installation of our new ice plant, we won’t be able to have a cold floor in time to host the event,” said Duluth Curling Club Board President Garrett Bunkowske. “We wish good luck to all the curlers participating in the playdown.”

To be eligible,  student-athletes must be citizens of the United States at the time of nomination and hold a valid U.S. passport that will not expire for six months after the conclusion of the Games.

All competitors must satisfy the following conditions:

• Must be at least 18 and no older than 25 years of age on December 31st of the year of the event.

• Must have taken at least one 3-credit course towards a degree or diploma within the last year before the championships. The standard is that the athlete must be progressing towards a degree,” as defined by the university. Incoming freshman and transfers are usually eligible with a National Letter of Intent (in those sports that participate in the NLI program) and/or a Letter of Acceptance from the university along with a deposit by the individual to the university confirming the intention to attend. Former students who have obtained their academic degree or diploma in the calendar year preceding the event are also eligible.

• All student-athletes must be certified by the United States International University Sport Federation.

• All curlers must be members of USA Curling.

Team registration for the 2022 FISU World University Games Playdowns, hosted by Duluth Curling Club, will be open from August 9, 2022 – August 31, 2022.

Registrants will be required to provide proof of citizenship, academic status, and be a member of USA Curling upon registration.

“We thank Duluth Curling Club for their partnership and transparency in navigating these unprecedented circumstances,” said USA Curling CEO Jeff Plush. “USA Curling is grateful that Fargo Moorhead Curling Club has opened its doors as a host and we look forward to working collaboratively to put on a great event.”

USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, Toyota, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People.