The Games, the first-ever sporting event jointly hosted by Taipei and New Taipei City, embody the vision of “Sport for Life and Sports for All.”
Held in the outdoor park of the New Taipei City Art Museum, the World Masters Games’ Farewell Ceremony embraces the theme “We are the World” to pay tribute to all athletes, volunteers, and the citizens of Taipei and New Taipei City. The design of the ceremony stage blended the cultural elements of Yingge (where the museum is located), natural landscapes, and a fusion of tech art and lighting design, creating a feast of both visual spectacle and emotional resonance for the audience and athletes from around the globe. This grand celebration, crafted by artists of music, dance, and street art, crossed generations, cultures, and nations.
The opening show, “Strong Together!” kicked off with a recap of the Games’ most memorable moments. Hip-hop duo Caotun Boyz followed with a full-band performance, joined by the dancing groups Wu Kung Shu and T.S.D. Crew, as they interweaved pop music with Taiwanese folk traditions. Following this culturally-rich yet vibrantly modern opening performance was the athletes’ entrance, which stood as an emblem of shared glory and cultural unity. The excitement surged as Kasiwa took the stage with dancers, delivering the Games’ theme song Non-Stop in a medley that electrified the crowd and turned the night into a jubilant celebration for all.
Next Kansai!
The dignitaries—among them the President of the International Masters Games Association (IMGA), Sergii Bubka, New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-Ih, and Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an—sequentially delivered speeches. The IMGA President praised Masters athletes around the world for embodying the spirit of “sports beyond age, life without limits.” He also commended Taipei and New Taipei City for the dedicated work making the event a success and raising the bar for future host cities. From the extraordinary Welcome Ceremony to the excellent presentation, the vibrant atmosphere, and the warm welcome everywhere, everyone’s dedication and vision were manifested.
Afterwards, 20 volunteer representatives were invited onstage to be recognized for their contributions, followed by the ceremonial handover of the IMGA flag to the next host city, Kansai, Japan. Masayoshi Matsumoto, President of the Organizing Committee of the World Masters Games Kansai 2027, accepted the flag, vowing to carry forward the passion of WMG2025 and extending a warm invitation to the world to attend this event in 2027. A competitor himself, Matsumoto has revealed that he is currently training for the 100-meter sprint and is extending an invitation to Masters athletes from around the world to push their limits and reach new heights.
“Eternal Youth Dance Floor”
The next segment of the ceremony, the Eternal Youth Dance Floor, began with the world’s top 100 DJ, RayRay, unleashing a surge of energy through electrifying EDM beats that had the crowd dancing with wild abandon, setting the stage for a full-blown sports party. Fu Jen Catholic University’s cheerleading squad followed, joined by the “Little Ant,” MC of the Wei Chuan Dragons from the Chinese Professional Baseball League, for a cheer show that swept the audience into a whirlwind of fan culture. Next up was the drag queen champion Nymphia Wind and her troupe of queens. Taking the spotlight as the “Birds of Formosa,” they soared freely across the stage, captivating the audience with a glamorous song-and-dance performance and electrifying interaction, and brimming with irresistible charm.
Bringing the celebration to a peak was the boy band Energy, who amped up Friday evening with their hit Friday Night, perfectly echoing the Games’ grand finale. They followed with a medley of their classics and the debut of their new single. Performing on a stage enhanced by projection mapping and immersive design, Energy delivered five songs that pulsed with passion, nostalgia, hope, youth, and brilliance, setting off the evening’s most electrifying climax.
Lighting up the night sky of dreams—a salute to the future
As the music filled the air at the end of the ceremony, the fireworks exploded over the night sky of New Taipei City, in tune with the symphonic version of the Games’ theme song, To Dreams, Non-Stop. The song, crafted by music director MCKY, blended emotion and strength. The fireworks were choreographed with a theatrical rhythm by fireworks director Fangas Nayaw, starting with flowing movement, layered with crescendos, and ending in a brilliant burst of color. In four and a half minutes, the dazzling fireworks and sweeping symphony told the story of the athletes’ journey from the starting line to victory, capturing the stirring, emotional moments of their all-out efforts on the field. It was a tribute to every passionate and persevering participant in the Games, and a showcase of the creativity and warmth to the world.
The World Masters Games 2025 Taipei & New Taipei City came to a spectacular close amid cheers. As the first edition ever held in Asia, the Games showcased not only athletic excellence but also intercity collaboration and the rich depth of local culture, fulfilling the vision of sports participation for all and lifelong commitment to sports through the spirit of “sports beyond age, life without limits.”
