Split is Ready for the FISU World University Cheerleading Championship

Ahead of us is the largest student sports event in Split this summer – the FISU World University Cheerleading Championship, which will host more than 500 participants from 13 countries and 46 world universities over five days in the Poljud hall.

This will be another in a series of top-notch academic sports events held in Croatia, all as preparation for the European University Games, which Split will host in 2028.

“Given the hosting of the ESI 2028, it is extremely important for us to constantly improve our professional staff by organizing large student events and maintaining our volunteer base. Regardless of the team’s experience, it is always a challenge, but also a pleasure, to turn our relatively old infrastructure into a sports arena worthy of world-class standards. However, although we enjoy creating miracles, we hope that the European University Games 2028 project will bring new sports infrastructure to our city. In the end, we are pleased that year after year, we complement Split’s tourist season with sports events,” announced the president of the competition organizing committee, Toni Gamulin.

The event begins with a grand opening ceremony on August 1st at the University of Split Campus, while the competition and medal awarding will take place from August 2nd to 4th. In addition to the official competition part, and with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the organizers have prepared the “Cheerleading Camp – WUC 2024,” where kindergarten-aged children will have the opportunity to learn the basics of cheerleading, handle pom-poms, and enjoy wonderful performances on-site.

The upcoming event is more than just a sports competition as it represents a symbiosis of sports, entertainment, education, and a blend of different cultures, all in the heart of the tourist season. Alongside the “Pom” discipline, which is certainly everyone’s first association with cheerleading, Split will also enjoy disciplines such as HipHop, Coed Premier, Coed Elite, All Female Premier, All Female Elite, Jazz, Pom Doubles, and Hip Hop Doubles. Among these, the Croatian university team is represented by four female students who will showcase their cheer skills in two categories – hip hop double and cheer double.

The organization of this international event is handled by the Croatian Academic Sports Association, the University of Split, and the Split Academic Sports Association, along with the World University Sports Federation (FISU). The event is sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Student Union of the University of Split, the Split-Dalmatia County, the City of Split, and in partnership with the Croatian Cheerleading Association and the Student Center of the University of Split. This year, valuable volunteers from the UniSport system, the largest of its kind in Croatia and beyond, are also involved in the entire story.

Entry to the Poljud hall is free for all interested parties, and detailed schedules and information about the competition can be found on social media (@fisu.cheerleading) or the official website. See you at Poljud!