Changchun 2027 Winter Universiade reveals medals, torch at 100-day countdown
Synopsis
Changchun marked 100 days to the 2027 Winter Universiade by unveiling a tech-forward medal with an embedded NFC chip — a first for the Games — alongside a torch shaped by the city's elevation figure and film heritage. The 33rd edition runs 15–25 January 2027 across Changchun and Jilin City.
Key Takeaways
The Changchun 2027 Winter Universiade 100-day countdown event was held on 7 October 2025 at Changchun International Aviation Expo City .
The torch, named 'Ji Xiang' ('Auspicious Flight'), stands 711 mm tall — matching Changchun's highest urban elevation of 711 metres .
The medals, named 'Ji Meng' ('Auspicious Dream'), feature the 'First Jade Bird of Ancient China' artefact and are inlaid with Songhua stone from Jilin.
Each medal carries an embedded NFC chip allowing athletes to access ceremony images via smartphone.
The Games run from 15 to 25 January 2027 across Changchun and Jilin City as the 33rd Winter Universiade .
The most recent edition in Turin 2025 featured 1,503 athletes from 54 nations across 13 sports .
The Changchun 2027 Winter Universiade marked its 100-day countdown on 7 October 2025 with the unveiling of its official medals, torch, uniforms, and equipment at Changchun International Aviation Expo City in Changchun, China. The ceremony offered the first public look at the Games' visual identity ahead of the event scheduled from 15 to 25 January 2027.
The Torch: Inspired by City and Sport
The torch, officially named 'Ji Xiang' — meaning 'Auspicious Flight' — draws its form from the clivia, Changchun's city flower. Its upper section carries a filmstrip motif alongside 12 winter sports icons, a nod to the 12 disciplines contested at the Games and a deliberate tribute to Changchun's storied film industry.
Snowflake and ginseng flower motifs appear near the top, ski-inspired lines run along the sides, and a wheel-hub pattern adorns the base. The torch stands 711 millimetres tall — a figure chosen to mirror the 711-metre highest elevation within Changchun's urban area.
The Medals: Culture, History and Technology
The medals, named 'Ji Meng' or 'Auspicious Dream,' blend traditional Chinese cultural elements with winter sports imagery. The front displays patterns inspired by skate blades and ski tracks, while the reverse features the 'First Jade Bird of Ancient China', an artefact unearthed at the Wutaishan historic site in Nong'an, Changchun. Part of the bird design is inlaid with Songhua stone from Jilin, giving each medal a materially local character.
A filmstrip pattern along the medal's edge again references Changchun's film heritage. Notably, each medal carries an embedded NFC chip that allows athletes to access images of their medal ceremonies and seasonal Changchun scenery simply by tapping the medal with a smartphone — a technology-forward feature not seen at previous editions.
Uniforms and Venue Details
Uniforms for torchbearers, torch escorts, volunteers, staff, technical delegates, and ceremony personnel were also unveiled at the event. Competitions will be staged across Changchun and nearby Jilin City.
Background: The Winter Universiade
The Winter Universiade, formally known as the FISU Winter World University Games, has been held every two years since its inaugural edition in 1980 in Chamonix, France, which drew 151 participants from 15 countries across five sports. The most recent edition — held in 2025 in Turin, Italy — attracted 1,503 participants from 54 nations competing in 13 sports. The Changchun 2027 edition will be the 33rd Winter Universiade, and marks China's return to hosting the Games.
With the 100-day marker now passed, organisers are expected to accelerate venue preparations and athlete accreditation processes ahead of the January window.
Point of View
But the organisers will need a stronger media and broadcast strategy to make the symbolism land beyond the host city.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Changchun 2027 Winter Universiade?
The Changchun 2027 Winter Universiade runs from 15 to 25 January 2027, with competitions held across Changchun and nearby Jilin City in China. It is the 33rd edition of the FISU Winter World University Games.
What is the 'Ji Xiang' torch?
'Ji Xiang,' meaning 'Auspicious Flight,' is the official torch of the Changchun 2027 Winter Universiade, inspired by the clivia — Changchun's city flower. It stands 711 mm tall, referencing the 711-metre highest elevation in Changchun's urban area, and features 12 winter sports icons and a filmstrip motif.
What makes the Changchun 2027 medals unique?
Named 'Ji Meng' or 'Auspicious Dream,' the medals carry an embedded NFC chip that lets athletes tap the medal with a smartphone to access images of their ceremony and Changchun scenery. They also feature the 'First Jade Bird of Ancient China' artefact on the reverse and are partly inlaid with Songhua stone from Jilin.
How long has the Winter Universiade been held?
The Winter Universiade began in 1980 in Chamonix, France, with 151 participants from 15 countries. Since then it has been held every two years; the 2025 Turin edition attracted 1,503 athletes from 54 nations competing in 13 sports.
What was unveiled at the 100-day countdown event?
The 100-day countdown event on 7 October unveiled the Games' torch, medals, torchbearer uniforms, volunteer and staff uniforms, and equipment for the Changchun 2027 Winter Universiade.
