Karachi is gearing up to host Pakistan’s biggest multi-sport event in more than a decade as the 35th National Games will officially begin on December 6.
The city will welcome thousands of athletes, officials, students, and spectators for a week packed with competitions, ceremonies, and entertainment across 23 venues.
The Games will run from December 6 to 13, transforming Karachi into a hub of national-level sports.
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The opening ceremony will be held at the National Stadium at 6 pm.
The ceremony will be inaugurated by Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, featuring a musical show and cultural performances for families.
National Games Schedule & Venues:
| S.# | Sport (M&W) | Venue | Technical (Men) | Technical (Women) | Maximum (Men) | Maximum (Women) | Arrival | Managers’ Meeting | Competition | Departure | Duration (Days) | Duration (Nights) |
| 1 | Archery | Dow University, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi | 14 | 6 | 42 | 42 | 07-Dec | 08-Dec | 09–11 Dec | 12-Dec | 6 | 5 |
| 2 | Athletics | NPTSC Karsaz Karachi | 74 | 31 | 287 | 126 | 07-Dec | 07-Dec | 08–11 Dec | 12-Dec | 6 | 5 |
| 3 | Badminton | Sindh Sports Board, Sport Complex Nazimabad, Karachi | 18 | 7 | 56 | 56 | 05-Dec | 06-Dec | 7–12 Dec | 13-Dec | 9 | 8 |
| 4 | Baseball (Men) | NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi | 18 | 7 | 92 | – | 05-Dec | 06-Dec | 07–12 Dec | 13-Dec | 9 | 8 |
| 5 | Basketball (5×5) | Habib Public School Sultanabad, Karachi | 14 | 6 | 60 | 75 | 05-Dec | 06-Dec | 07–11 Dec | 12-Dec | 8 | 7 |
| 6 | Bodybuilding (Men) | Liaquat Library Ibrahim Joyo Auditorium, Opp. Liaquat National Hospital, Stadium Road, Karachi | 14 | 6 | 84 | – | 05-Dec | 06-Dec | 07–09 Dec | 10-Dec | 6 | 5 |
| 7 | Boxing | KPT Sports Complex, West Wharf Road, Karachi | 21 | 9 | 91 | 63 | 04-Dec | 05-Dec | 06–11 Dec | 12-Dec | 9 | 8 |
| 8 | Fencing | NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi | 13 | 5 | 105 | 105 | 05-Dec | 06-Dec | 07–11 Dec | 12-Dec | 8 | 7 |
| 9 | Football | Men: KPT Sports Complex Hall, Lyari / Women: KMC Sports Football Ground Urdu University, Lyari Karachi, Lyari International Football Ground, Kakri Sports Complex | 16 | 6 | 46 | 84 | 03-Dec | 04-Dec | 05–12 Dec | 13-Dec | 11 | 10 |
| 10 | Golf (Men & Women) | Defence Authority Country & Golf Club, Karachi | 14 | 6 | 42 | 35 | 07-Dec | 08-Dec | 09–12 Dec | 13-Dec | 7 | 6 |
| Total | 216 | 89 | 905 | 586 |
Although the grand ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, the National Games have already begun in Karachi.
READ: Karachi set to host 35th National Games in December 2025
Netball matches kicked off at the Pakistan Sports Board Coaching Centre, where defending champions Pakistan Army faced WAPDA in the opening fixture.
Other early competitions are also underway:
Men’s and women’s football at the KPT Football Stadium
Men’s and women’s shooting ball at Pakistan Navy Shooting Range, Karsaz
Sailing events at Pakistan Navy Dockyard
Boxing, hockey, and tennis set to begin Friday at their respective venues
More than 9,000 athletes to participate in the event with this year’s edition features 32 sports and over 9,000 athletes and officials from all provinces and major institutions including; Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Army, Navy, Air Force, WAPDA, Railways, Police, HEC.
READ: Karachi to host 35th National Games 2025
Over 10,000 school and college students are also part of various segments, adding to the festival-like atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Paris Olympics 2025 gold medallist Arshad Nadeem is set to arrive in Karachi today, adding star power to the Games.
A detailed parking and shuttle plan is in place.
Pink buses will run specifically for women athletes, while dedicated shuttle services will transport players between venues.
New swimming pools, upgraded tracks, modern scoring systems, and athlete residences have been prepared to meet national and international standards.
Sindh Sports Minister Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar urged the public to attend the Games, saying: “I urge everyone to come out, support our athletes, and help make these Games historic.”
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Where to watch National Games 2025:
For viewers across Pakistan, the entire event will be broadcast live on PTV Sports, including the opening ceremony, major finals, and daily highlights.
The week-long sporting festival will conclude on December 13 at the National Stadium, with the Prime Minister of Pakistan expected to attend the closing ceremony.
The matches includes olympic staples such as athletics, swimming, gymnastics and fencing, along with Pakistan’s widely followed competitive events like kabaddi, tug of war, netball and boxing.
Major team sports, including football, hockey, basketball, rugby and volleyball, are expected to attract strong crowds across various venues in the city.
The National Games, held periodically since 1948, remain one of the country’s most prestigious multi-sport events and often serve as a pathway to international selection.
