Tomorrow, Beach Korfball will make its first-ever appearance at The World Games. For the next three days, the Xinglong Lake Beach Arena in Chengdu, China, will host fast-paced matches, dramatic finishes, and the crowning of the very first Beach Korfball World Games champions.
This is a special moment for the sport. Korfball has been part of The World Games since 1985, but 2025 marks the debut of the beach format on this stage. The shorter games, quick changes of possession, and spectacular goals promise to bring a new kind of excitement to fans both in the arena and watching around the world.
Two Days of Pool Action
The competition starts with two full days of pool matches. Ten national teams are divided into two groups:
Group A
🇵🇱 Poland
🇳🇱 Netherlands
🇧🇪 Belgium
🇦🇺 Australia
Group B
🇹🇼 Chinese Taipei
🇭🇺 Hungary
🇺🇸 United States
🇨🇳 China
Day one begins at 14:30 local time with Poland vs Belgium, followed by matches featuring every team. The evening session will see more big clashes, including the Netherlands against Belgium and China against Chinese Taipei.
Day two will complete the group stage before moving into the quarter-finals.
Finals on Sunday
The medal matches will take place on Sunday, 17 August. The final is scheduled for 13:20 local time, when the first Beach Korfball World Games champions will be crowned.
Follow the Action
Fans can follow every match live on The World Games website and app. Whether you are watching from the stands in Chengdu or from home, this is your chance to witness history in the making.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Schedule_TWG2025_BeachKorfball_-resized.jpg10801920Dean Woodshttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngDean Woods2025-08-14 05:47:502025-08-14 05:47:50Beach Korfball Set for Historic Debut at The World Games in Chengdu
It all comes down to today. After 4 days of intense competition at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, the korfball event is set to conclude with a final day of four matches to determine the podium places and final standings.
The International Korfball Federation (IKF) can now confirm the final referee appointments.
Following observation by IKF Referee observers Jorge Alves (POR) and Richard Rense (NED), the officials have been selected to oversee the decisive final matches of the mixed indoor korfball competition.
Here are the official referee appointments for today’s matches:
For 7th place: China vs. Portugal
Referees: Megan Frederickson (AUS) and Stan de Groot (NED)
Jury: Gert Dijkstra (NED) and Lau Wai Sim (MAS)
For 5th place: Germany vs. Suriname
Referees: Steve Jones (GBR) and Leon Liao (TPE)
Jury: Marc Breugelmans (BEL) and Wong Sin Yee (HKG)
For the Bronze medal: Czechia vs. Chinese Taipei
Referees: Stan de Groot (NED) and Olga Gandia Pérez (ESP)
Jury: Michael Janssens (BEL) and Lau Wai Sim (MAS)
For the Gold medal: Netherlands vs. Belgium
Referees: Carlos Faria (POR) and Chris West (GBR)
Jury: Nina Piris (ESP), Wong Sin Yee (HKG), and Lau Wai Sim (MAS)
How to Watch All the Final Matches
You can watch all of today’s final matches live and for free! Streams are available on the official The World Games Live website at live.theworldgames.org and through the official The World Games app, available on both Android and iOS.
⚠️ Stay Safe Online
Please be aware of fake social media profiles and websites that claim to offer live streams for sports at The World Games. These are unofficial, do not have the broadcasting rights, and are more than likely scams or phishing sites intended to steal your personal information. Always use the official sources mentioned above to stay safe online.
For all the newest stories, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content, follow the official IKF social media pages. Our website also has special pages with everything you need.
Good luck to the match officials and the teams!
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TWG2025-Small.png325854Dean Woodshttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngDean Woods2025-08-12 03:43:502025-08-12 08:40:10Officials Appointed for Medal Matches at The World Games 2025
The wait is finally over. The 12th World Games is underway in Chengdu, and with it, the korfball tournament begins today. Day 1 features four important matches to kick off what’s sure to be a great competition.
What Are The World Games?
The World Games happens every four years, featuring sports you don’t see at the Olympics. The International World Games Association (IWGA), with help from the IOC, organizes the event, which brings together more than 4,000 top athletes from over 112 countries and regions. This year, Chengdu, China is the host city, turning into a global stage for sports and culture.
Gender-equal team sport
Korfball is the only team sport in the world where men and women play together on the same team. Being in The World Games shows how important equality, teamwork, and new ideas are to the sport – and to the event itself. This is a big chance for korfball to be seen by more people and to inspire new players and fans
A Historic First: Beach Korfball Debuts
This year is a big moment for korfball. For the first time, Beach Korfball is part of The World Games. From August 15–17, eight top teams will play on the sand at the new Xinglong Lake Beach Arena, a beautiful venue that combines sports with Chengdu’s scenery.
But before the beach action begins, the indoor competition takes the spotlight.
We Are Ready
Venue: Longquan High School Gymnasium, Chengdu
Dates: August 8–12 (Korfball)
Teams: The top 8 indoor teams from across four continents; Netherlands, Chinese Taipei, Belgium, Czechia, Suriname, Germany, Portugal, and host nation China
The people running the event, the volunteers, and the local committee have worked hard to get the venue ready. The players are set to go. The fans are excited. Let’s get started!
Watch Live and for Free
You can watch every match live and for free. Go to The World Games LIVE, or download The World Games LIVE app on Android or iOS. You can also find links on the IKF website.
For all the newest stories, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content, follow the official IKF social media pages. Our website also has special pages with everything you need.
Let the games begin!
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TWG_2025_banner.png5701500Dean Woodshttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngDean Woods2025-08-07 20:16:132025-08-07 20:16:13The World Games 2025: Korfball Takes Center Stage in Chengdu!
Several of korfball’s top athletes have been selected to lead their national delegations as flag bearers at the opening ceremony of The World Games 2025. This prestigious honor is a huge moment for the sport, underscoring its growing recognition on a global stage.
The World Games is a multi-sport event featuring over 30 sports and 4,500 athletes. This year’s games are especially significant for korfball, which will not only hold its traditional indoor tournament but will also introduce Beach Korfball for the first time.
Among the distinguished athletes chosen for the honor are:
Fleur Hoek, who will proudly lead the Netherlands delegation.
Lisa Pauwels, selected as the flag bearer for Belgium.
Shera Desaunois, Dominique van der Stelt, and Tamera van der Stelt, who will share the unique honor of carrying the flag for Suriname.
“This is an incredible privilege for these athletes and a huge moment for korfball as a whole,” said an Dean Woods from the International Korfball Federation. “Seeing our athletes represent their countries in such a prominent way at the start of a major international event is a testament to their dedication and the values they embody. Fleur, Lisa, Shera, Dominique and Tamera are wonderful ambassadors, and we couldn’t be prouder to see them represent their nations and the korfball community.”
For more information on the korfball events at The World Games, fans can visit our dedicated page. The site features the latest news, links to live streams, scores, results, and much more, providing a comprehensive resource for following all the action.
The IKF wishes all competing athletes the best of luck at The World Games 2025.
Did you miss the Opening Ceremony? No problem, you can watch it back through The World Games on-demand service on their website and app.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TWG_2025_banner.png5701500Dean Woodshttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngDean Woods2025-08-06 19:14:372025-08-07 20:28:07Korfball Athletes Lead the Way at The World Games Opening Ceremony
With less than 50 days to go until the opening of The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China, anticipation is building for the 12th edition of the games. This evening, wehosted the live draws to determine the group stage matchups for both the Korfball and the debuting Beach Korfball competitions.
Watch the Live Draws
Korfball Draw – Thursday 19 June 2025 20:00 CEST
Beach Korfball Draw – Thursday 19 June 20:30 CEST
The live draws determine the groupings for both competitions.
Live Draw Results
Korfball – Group Stage Draw:
Group A: Netherlands, Chinese Taipei, Portugal, and China
Group B: Belgium, Germany, Czechia, and Suriname
Beach Korfball – Group Stage Draw:
Group A: Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, and Australia
Group B: Chinese Taipei, Hungary, United States, and China
What are The World Games?
The World Games is a multi-sport event held every four years, showcasing sports and disciplines not currently featured in the Olympic Games. Organised by the International World Games Association (IWGA) with the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the event brings together over 4,000 elite athletes from 117 countries, competing across 34 sports and 60 disciplines. The 12th edition of The World Games will take place from 7th to 17th August 2025 in Chengdu, China, across 28 world-class venues.
Korfball at The World Games 2025
The korfball competition will take place from 8th to 12th August at the Longquan High School Gymnasium.
Eight teams from four continents, who earned their places through the IKF World Korfball Championship 2023, will compete: Suriname, Portugal, Czechia, Germany, Chinese Taipei, Belgium, The Netherlands, and hosts China.
Beach Korfball Makes Its Debut
For the first time in World Games history, Beach Korfball will be featured as an official discipline. The beach competition will take place from 15th to 17th August at Xinglong Lake and promises fast-paced and high-energy action in a superb beach arena.
The eight qualified teams are: Australia, United States, Belgium, Hungary, The Netherlands, Chinese Taipei, Poland and hosts China.
This inclusion marks a major milestone for Beach Korfball, reflecting its rapid growth and global appeal.
Stay tuned to our social networks and follow #TWG2025 #WeAreTheWorldGames #RoadToChengdu for full coverage, behind-the-scenes content, and updates as we count down to Chengdu!
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/TWG2025-Draw.png7201920Dean Woodshttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngDean Woods2025-06-18 13:38:452025-06-22 16:57:31Countdown to TWG 2025: Korfball and Beach Korfball Draws
The International World Games Association (IWGA) recently held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Madrid, Spain, bringing together over 100 representatives from the international sports community. Among the participants was Joana Faria, CEO and Secretary General of the International Korfball Federation (IKF), who represented the global korfball family.
Encouraging updates from Chengdu
With The World Games 2025 in Chengdu fast approaching, the AGM provided a valuable opportunity for international federations and the IWGA leadership to hold productive discussions on a wide range of important topics. Delegates received encouraging updates from the Chengdu Organising Committee, with information shared regarding competition schedules, accreditation procedures, and visa arrangements – all contributing to a well-planned pathway to Chengdu.
A significant moment of the meeting was a video address from International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Dr. Thomas Bach, in what marked his final AGM appearance in his current role. His supportive message reaffirmed the IOC’s strong commitment to the IWGA and The World Games, highlighting the continued importance of global collaboration in sport.
‘It’s an exciting time for korfball’
Joana Faria highlighted the real value of attending the AGM, saying: “Representing korfball at the IWGA AGM was a great opportunity to connect directly with other sports leaders and ensure our sport continues to progress on the global stage.
“With the korfball competition and the thrilling debut of beach korfball both featuring in The World Games 2025 programme, it’s an exciting time for our sport. The discussions in Madrid with the IWGA and other International Federations reinforced our shared dedication to innovation, collaboration, and the ongoing development of our sports.”
The AGM also included important updates on The World Games Series and the positive preparations for TWG 2029 in Karlsruhe – Germany, alongside a warm celebration recognising IWGA President José Perurena’s 80th birthday.
As The World Games 2025 draws closer, we are keen to showcase our sport effectively on the world stage. Actively participating in the IWGA general meeting is important to ensure our continued input into shaping a positive future within The World Games movement.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WeAreTheWorldGames.png6001600Dean Woodshttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngDean Woods2025-05-05 00:28:412025-05-20 00:29:44Excitement builds as IKF CEO attends IWGA General Meeting in Madrid
The countdown to The World Games 2025 (TWG2025) in Chengdu, China, has officially begun, there are now less than 200 days until the opening ceremony, and the International Korfball Federation (IKF) can now confirm the teams that have secured their spots for the korfball and beach korfball competitions at The World Games!
In the beach korfball discipline, eight top-performing teams have secured their spots at TWG2025, : Poland, Chinese Taipei, Netherlands, Hungary, Belgium, USA, Australia, and China. Based on the set qualification criteria, Netherlands and China qualified in April, at the WBKC 2024, while the other teams qualified through the IKF Beach Korfball World Ranking. The stage is set. With teams from four continents represented, each bringing their different styles of play, korfball fans should expect the unexpected as these teams battle it out in the sand in Chengdu. We cannot wait to find out which of the teams will take home the Gold medal!
For korfball, the eight teams from around the globe have earned their places at the WKC 2023: Netherlands, Chinese Taipei, Belgium, Czechia, Suriname, Germany, Portugal, and host nation China. With a perfect mix of traditional powerhouses and emerging contenders, these teams represent the best and will be ready to put on a show in Chengdu.
The World Games are a unique multi-sport event that celebrates sports outside the Olympic programme, bringing together thousands of athletes from across the globe to compete at the highest level. This edition marks a milestone for korfball, as both korfball and beach korfball disciplicnes will feature for the first time on the programme which is a testament to the sports increasing appeal.
Stay tuned for more updates as the qualified teams prepare to represent in Chengdu. Follow our social media channels and website for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes stories, and all the latest news leading up to The World Games 2025!
TWG2025 promises to be an unforgettable experience for athletes and spectators alike – we cannot wait! For more information check out our dedicated event page, and the official page on The World Games website.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/TWG2025_header_Qualified_Teams.jpg5701500Joana Fariahttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngJoana Faria2025-01-15 15:41:242025-01-16 11:55:53TWG2025: Korfball and Beach Korfball teams confirmed
The International Korfball Federation (IKF) Council has officially decided to allocate the wild card for the last vacancy for the korfball competition at The World Games 2025 to China.
This decision reflects the IKF’s dedication to promoting the global development of korfball and its commitment to supporting the International World Games Association’s (IWGA) vision of an inclusive and representative event. The participation of the host country, China, is a key element in ensuring the success and visibility of the competition, aligning with the IWGA’s objectives.
The Chinese Korfball Association (CKA) has demonstrated significant efforts to improve both the quality of its national team and the governance of the sport in China. Last year has seen positive developments, including increased participation in international competitions and a growing commitment to strengthening organisational structures. These efforts, combined with China’s role as host of The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, were critical factors in the IKF Council’s decision.
As preparations for this prestigious event continue, the IKF looks forward to a highly competitive and dynamic korfball tournament that further enhances the sport’s global profile.
The World Games 2025 will take place in Chengdu, China, from 7 to 17 August, bringing together athletes from around the globe to compete in a diverse range of sports. Korfball has been a proud part of The World Games, showcasing its unique qualities as a mixed-gender team sport. The event provides a valuable platform to promote korfball’s values of inclusivity, teamwork, and innovation to an international audience, further solidifying its position in the world of sport.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/wild_card_CHN_TWG2025.jpg5701500Joana Fariahttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngJoana Faria2025-01-13 00:05:552025-01-13 00:05:55IKF Council Awards Wild Card to China for The World Games 2025
From 23 to 24 October, the International Korfball Federation took part in the 2nd Competition Managers Meeting for The World Games 2025, held in Chengdu, China. IKF CEO Joana Faria and Akiko Tsujikawa, Competition Manager, were actively engaged in meetings, venue inspections, and visits to key locations for the event.
This meeting was instrumental in preparing for the korfball and beach korfball competitions at TWG 2025, ensuring the highest possible quality for these events. Besides aligning with TWG 2025 requirements, the site visits enabled an in-depth review of facility conditions and competition logistics. The close collaboration with the organising committee and on-site presence were essential steps in paving the way for a successful korfball representation at the Games.
The IKF remains committed to showcasing korfball at its best at The World Games, promoting excellence and the global growth of the sport.
The 2nd IF Competition Managers Meeting took place on Oct 23-24 in Chengdu in preparation for @TheWorldGames 2025.🙌
Two productive days in this magical city where everybody felt enthusiastic and excited for all the amazing opportunities this monumental event brings. 🤩 @twg2025pic.twitter.com/fA1u6WCvGW
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TWG2025_scenario.jpeg15122016IKF Officehttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngIKF Office2024-11-12 10:20:032024-11-12 10:20:03IKF Participates in the 2nd Competition Managers Meeting for The World Games 2025
The beach korfball stadium in Pattaya City is ready to kick off the long-awaited qualifier event for next year’s World Games: the IKF World Beach Korfball Championship 2024.
From 26 to 28 April, the Korfball Association of Thailand will host this #WBKC2024 qualifier event. Pattaya was a very successful host of a Beach World Cup in 2022, and this allows the local federation to build on this success as a benchmark for international beach korfball competitions.
Following the Group Draw that took place two weeks ago live on YouTube.com/ikfchannel, all teams arrived in Thailand knowing how important it’s going to be the first group phase in the fight to reach the top positions of this tournament.
Eighteen teams were drawn into three groups, with some interesting matchups emerging based on the latestbeach world rankings, which guarantees tight matches and exciting games throughout all days. Let’s enjoy beach korfball!
Group A features the current world number one ranked team, Poland, who will face off against Portugal (ranked 6th), India (7th), Australia (10th), Scotland (19th) and Czechia (23rd).
Group B is headlined by second-ranked Belgium, who will take on Hungary (ranked 5th), Hong Kong China (8th), Japan (18th), Singapore (20th) and China (23rd).
Finally, Group C includes USA (ranked 3rd), the Netherlands (4th), Chinese Taipei (9th), Thailand (12th), Malaysia (21st) and Macau China (ranked 23rd).
Where to follow / Live streams
All fans around the world will be able to watch and follow this tournament live on youtube.com/ikfchannel and on www.worldkorfball.sport (with live results and live streams, statistics, scorers, play-by-play …), as well as on social media on @IKFAsia and @BeachKorfball profiles and the hashtag #WBKC2024, #beachkorfball and #korfball, with the best image galleries, clips and highlights. Quick access site: korfball.sport/WBKC2024
Further, following the inclusion of korfball in the program of the next edition of The World Games in Chengdu (CHN), the IKF announced that the international beach korfball calendar will be expanded substantially. In 2024, in addition to the World Beach Korfball Championships, two World Cups will be scheduled, one in Europe, likely in August, and a second one in Asia, likely in December. This aligns with the vision of the IKF Council to create a year-round global calendar for beach korfball events.
Further, the IKF announced the qualification regulations for the beach korfball tournament at TWG 2025. The champion of the WBKC will directly qualify for TWG, and TWG host China will have the opportunity to directly qualify at the WBKC, provided they finish in the top-10 of the event. The further 6 or 7 spots (a total of 8 countries/teams can take part in TWG Beach Korfball tournament) will be determined on the newly launched IKF World Beach Korfball Ranking, ensuring both global representation across at least four continents and sufficient competitiveness by ensuring all participants are within the top-12 of the World Ranking as per 31 December 2023.
All fans around the world will be able to watch and follow this tournament live on youtube.com/ikfchannel and on www.worldkorfball.sport (with live results and live streams, statistics, scorers, play-by-play …), as well as on social media on @IKFAsia and @BeachKorfball profiles and the hashtag #WBKC2024, #beachkorfball and #korfball, with the best image galleries, clips and highlights.
The IKF World Beach Korfball Championships is the pinnacle event for the sport of beach korfball. The event is held every two years and features the best national beach korfball teams from around the world. The 2024 edition of the championships will be held in Pattaya, Thailand, from April 26-28.
About the International Korfball Federation (IKF)
The IKF is the governing body for the sport of korfball. The IKF is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the sport, including international competitions, development, and governance. The IKF was founded in Antwerp (Belgium) on 11 June 1933 as a continuation of the International Korfball Bureau established in 1924 by the Dutch and Belgian Associations. The IKF was officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1993 and is affiliated to the Association of the IOC Recognized International Sports Federations (ARISF), the International World Games Association (IWGA) and the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/image_WBKC2024_Krit_Suttipithuk_.jpg9601440Dani Ezpeletahttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngDani Ezpeleta2024-04-25 10:35:592024-05-30 17:26:52From 26 to 28 April, don’t miss the IKF World Beach Korfball Championship 2024 live from Thailand!
