Luxembourg to Host 20th IVV Olympiad in 2027 Promoting Sport & Inclusion

On Tuesday 29 July 2025, Luxembourg’s Ministry of Sport hosted a press conference to present details of the IVV Olympiad 2027.

The event, organised by the International Federation for Popular Sports (IVV), will take place in Luxembourg from 16 to 19 July 2027. It is being coordinated nationally by a committee bringing together the Luxembourg Federation for Popular Walking (FLMP), the Luxembourg Swimming and Lifesaving Federation (FLNS) and the Luxembourg Cycling Federation (FSCL).

The Olympiad will focus on health, inclusion, friendship and cultural exchange, with non-competitive activities such as walking, cycling and swimming. Held every two years, the IVV Olympiad aims for 100% participation rather than competition, positioning itself as an accessible and unifying global gathering, as emphasised during the presentation. It is expected to bring together several thousand participants from over thirty countries.

Reflecting this inclusive spirit, Romain Buschmann, President of the IVV Olympiad 2027 organising committee, told Chronicle.lu: “Participants will see an event with three different sports, but without any competition. It’s free for everybody. Everybody can participate - being it young children, being it older people - everybody can do it. And besides the sport, it’s get together. It starts in the morning, it ends in the evening, and between it’s fun and joy and music and eating and drinking.”

The IVV Olympiad 2027 is set to offer a packed four-day programme combining sport, cultural exchange and community participation. The main activities will include non-competitive walking (3 to 42 km), cycling (25 and 50 km) and swimming (300 or 500 m in an Olympic pool).

The event will also feature a series of themed activities in the days leading up to the main Olympiad, including a Junior Olympiad and Business Challenge on 17 June, a Senior Olympiad on 18 June, and both Family Day and the non-timed IVV Marathon on 19 June. The event is expected to involve more than 50 activities, welcome over 3,000 participants per day from more than 30 countries, and rely on the support of 250+ volunteers. In addition to the three core sports disciplines, the programme will also include cultural and musical components.

Luxembourg’s Minister of Sport, Georges Mischo, expressed his enthusiasm about the country hosting the IVV Olympiad in 2027, describing it as a valuable opportunity to showcase Luxembourg on an international stage. He commended the organising team for their efforts so far and highlighted the event’s potential to promote both sport and tourism.

“I’m very proud that the 2027 Olympiad will be held here in Luxembourg,” he told Chronicle.lu. “The organisers have done a great job so far - everything is well structured. Luxembourg may be a small country, but it’s a superb one. We have many castles, beautiful villages and natural sites that visitors from abroad can explore. This will be a great window to the world to discover Luxembourg, our people and our values.”

Created in 1968, the International Federation for Popular Sports (IVV) has long promoted physical activity accessible to all, regardless of age or performance level. The Olympiad, held biennially in a member country, reflects this inclusive philosophy. Following recent editions in the United States (2023) and Finland (2025), the 2027 Olympiad in Luxembourg marks the event’s 20th edition. Activities will be centred around the National Sports and Cultural Centre - Coque, with additional highlights set to include several UNESCO-listed sites across the country.

For more information and registration, visit the official IVV Olympiad 2027 website.