[Santiago, Chile – 10 November, 2026] The road to the Special Olympics World Games Santiago 2027 has reached another major milestone with the announcement of the 23-strong sport program and competition venues at a ceremony led by Chilean Minister of Sports Francisco Riveros at Parque Estadio Nacional on 10 November.
Taking place from 16 – 24 October 2027, Santiago 2027 will welcome over 6,000 athletes and Unified partners (athletes without intellectual disabilities) from more than 170 countries, and mark a historic first: never before have the Special Olympics World Games been held in Latin America or the Southern Hemisphere.
At the heart of the Games will be Parque Estadio Nacional (National Stadium Park), one of Chile's most iconic sporting landmarks.
“Chile is getting ready to welcome the world, and today we are taking another major step towards that moment. These 23 sports and their competition venues represent far more than an ambitious sporting program. They represent major opportunities for thousands of athletes to showcase their abilities and inspire audiences around the world. We are proud to put Chile's sporting infrastructure at the service of a truly historic event, and we are committed to delivering an unforgettable experience for every athlete, delegation, and spectator.”
23 Sports, One Global Stage
The Santiago 2027 program will showcase the breadth and diversity of Special Olympics sport, with competition and demonstration activities spanning team sports and individual disciplines.
The announced program includes Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, 3X3 Basketball, Bocce, Cycling, Equestrian, Football 7-a-side, Futsal, Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Golf, Hockey, Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Powerlifting, Tennis, Table Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball and Beach Volleyball, alongside Padel as a demonstration sport.
A defining feature of the next edition of the World Games will be Special Olympics Unified Sports, with 14 sports featuring opportunities for athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to compete together as teammates.
By bringing people of different abilities together through sport, Unified Sports demonstrates how teamwork, mutual respect and shared goals can help break down barriers and build more inclusive communities.
“Every athlete deserves the opportunity to compete at the highest level, in venues that reflect the importance of their achievements and the dedication it takes to get there. That is exactly what Santiago 2027 will deliver. Across 23 sports, thousands of athletes and Unified partners will have the opportunity to demonstrate sporting excellence on a global stage. As we prepare to bring the Special Olympics World Games to Latin America for the first time, Chile is helping us show the world what is possible when athletes with intellectual disabilities are given the opportunities, recognition and respect they deserve.”
Iconic Venues Set the Stage for World-Class Competition
Parque Estadio Nacional, which has previously welcomed numerous major international sporting events such as the 2023 Pan American Games, will serve as the central hub of Santiago 2027. The Opening Ceremony on 16 October will be held in the historic Estadio Nacional (National Stadium).
The Park will host 13 sports on the Games program, including:
- Athletics (Centro Atlético Mario Recordón)
- Basketball (Centro de Deportes Colectivos)
- 3x3 Basketball (Centro de Básquetbol 3x3)
- Bocce, MATP, Table Tennis, (Centro de Entrenamiento Paralímpico)
- Football 7-a-side (Centro de Fútbol 7)
- Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics (Polideportivo 1)
- Hockey (Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped)
- Powerlifting (Centro de Deportes de Contacto)
- Swimming (Centro Acuático)
- Tennis (Centro Deportivo de Tenis)
Additional venues across the city will complete the competition footprint, showcasing Chile's sporting facilities and providing athletes with the opportunity to compete on an international stage. These include:
Centro de Entrenamiento Olímpico
- Badminton (Pabellón de Bádminton)
- Volleyball (Pabellón de Vóleibol)
Club Deportivo USS
- Futsal (Complejo de Futsal)
- Padel (Centro de Pádel)
Centro de Vóleibol Playa
- Beach Volleyball
Escuela de Carabineros
- Equestrian
Laguna Caren
- Cycling
Club de Golf Mapocho
- Golf
The venues for open water swimming and triathlon are still to be determined.
Chilean Athlete Leader Gonzalo Escobar said: “For athletes like me, competing in a World Games is a dream come true. We train and we want to show the world what we're capable of.”
“Knowing thousands of athletes will get to live those dreams, in my own country, fills me with pride. We are ready to show our talents, abilities and passion for sports!”
“And remember: inclusion is not achieved by just one person; it's achieved by all of us, together. We dream about a world where inclusion is no longer a struggle but something natural, because every person is valued and has the same opportunities."
More Than a Sporting Event
While the announcement marks an important step in the sporting preparations for Santiago 2027, the impact of the Games is expected to extend far beyond competition.
As the first Special Olympics World Games hosted in Latin America, Santiago 2027 represents an opportunity to advance the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities throughout Chile and across the region. The event is expected to leave a legacy of around 1,000 Unified Schools and a presence in all 16 regions of the country.
Santiago 2027 will also mobilize thousands of volunteers and bring together athletes, families, supporters and spectators from around the world, placing inclusion at the center of one of Chile's largest international sporting celebrations.
More information about the Special Olympics World Games Santiago 2027, including sports, venues and future announcements, is available on the official website.
