The open air event was held at the Chengdu Jiaozi Park on Monday (February 22) and was called "The Year of the Ox Welcomes the Games, Happy Chinese New Year in Chengdu".

Chengdu 2021 said the gala event, held on a stage in front of the Twin Towers in the Tianfu International Financial Center, featured various musical performances.

Folk and rock music performances were held during the evening, while acapella, B-BOX and cheerleading performances also featured.

Seven former World University Games gold medallists from Chengdu were presented and sang a version of Queen’s "We are the Champions".

The Games slogan "Love Chengdu, Embrace the Games" was featured during the event.

Chengdu 2021 said one of the highlights of the gala was a performance by Chengdu-based singer Jason Zhang.

Zhang was also announced as an ambassador for the Games.

Chengdu 2021 is scheduled to take place from August 8 to 19.

It will be the third time in 20 years that China stages the event, after Universiades in Shenzhen in 2011 and Beijing in 2001.

Chengdu 2021 and FISU opted to delay the event following the rescheduling of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.