Water polo at the 2021 Summer World University Games in Chengdu was played from 27 July to 8 August 2023.

[1] The dates of all events were changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

17 teams participated in the tournament.

Following the FISU regulations, there were a maximum of 12 teams in men's water polo and 10 in women's water polo.

If there was a larger number of teams interested, they were selected by:[2]