Nearly 700 athletes with intellectual disabilities and Unified partners (athletes without intellectual disability) representing eight Special Olympics Programs will gather in Santiago, Chile, from 8-12 November for the Special Olympics Invitational Games - Road to Santiago 2027.
Athletes from Chile, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Malta, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, and Slovakia will compete at the Parque Estadio Nacional across five sports: athletics, basketball 3x3, football 7-a-side, futsal, and swimming.
The Invitational Games will officially begin with the Opening Ceremony on 8 November at 20:00 local time at Centro de Tenis, Parque Estadio Nacional. Following four days of competition, the event will conclude with the Closing Ceremony on 12 November at 19:00 local time at Centro de Deportes Colectivos, Parque Estadio Nacional.
The Opening and Closing Ceremonies, along with all sporting competitions, will be streamed live on the Special Olympics International YouTube Channel. Both ceremonies will also be broadcast live on the PanAm Sports Channel.
This event also marks a significant milestone on the road to Santiago 2027, taking place from 16-24 October 2027, when more than 6,000 athletes and Unified partners from 170 countries will gather in Chile for the first World Games ever held in Latin America.
“These Invitational Games are an important milestone as part of our journey to the 2027 World Games in Santiago. Special Olympics athletes will come here to push their limits, pursue their personal best, and represent a movement that encourages all to be brave, both on and off the playing field. We as a movement wish to build on the energy here and bring forth a remarkable 2027 World Games effort, inspiring a new generation of athletes, and leaving a lasting legacy across Chile, Latin America and indeed the world, through the example set by our athletes.”
A Major Step Towards Santiago 2027
Beyond the sporting competition, the Invitational Games will provide the Santiago 2027 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) with an opportunity to test key aspects of Games delivery ahead of next year's global event.
From competition management and venue operations to athlete services, transportation, accreditation, and event logistics, the Invitational Games will allow organizers to evaluate operational readiness in a live international competition environment.
The event will also provide an opportunity for local officials, volunteers, and organizing teams to gain practical experience in delivering Special Olympics competitions.
The Special Olympics World Games Santiago 2027 are expected to contribute to a lasting national legacy, including approximately 1,000 Unified Schools and an expanded Special Olympics presence across all 16 regions of Chile.
Santiago 2027 CEO Rodrigo Gardella added, “These Invitational Games represent an important step in our preparations for Santiago 2027. They give us the opportunity to test our operations, work alongside our partners and volunteers, and identify areas where we can continue improving ahead of next year's World Games.”
Continuing, “But beyond the operational preparations, this is also about building something that will last. We want Santiago 2027 to leave a meaningful legacy for people with intellectual disabilities across Chile, creating more opportunities for inclusion through sport. We are excited to welcome Special Olympics athletes from around the world and show them what Chile has to offer.”
Five Sports, One Stage
The Invitational Games will feature both traditional Special Olympics and Unified Sports® competitions, which bring together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team.
Basketball 3x3 will be played in the Unified Sports format, while football and futsal will feature both traditional and Unified competitions. Athletics and swimming will be contested in traditional Special Olympics formats.
Across all five sports, athletes will have the opportunity to put their training into practice and gain valuable experience in a major competition environment.
Teresita Lira, Special Olympics Chile Athlete Leader and World Games snowboarding champion, said, "We are happy that the World Games 2027 are taking place in Santiago, in Chile. As athletes, we are living this journey with much excitement, watching our fellow athletes giving their all in the qualifiers to achieve their dreams of representing our country.”
She added, “We want to welcome athletes from all over the world, show them how beautiful Chile is, and make them feel at home. I'm sure that these Games will be very special, filled with joy, friendship and excitement. We'll show that, when given an opportunity, we can achieve great things!"
Supporting Athlete Health and Wellbeing
Alongside the sporting competitions, the Invitational Games will feature Special Olympics Healthy Athletes®, made possible by the Golisano Foundation, offering free health screenings, education, and referrals to follow up care in a fun, welcoming environment.
The program will run from 8-12 November at Centro de Deportes Colectivos (CECO), East Wing, Parque Estadio Nacional.
Seven Healthy Athletes screening disciplines will be available: Fit Feet (podiatry), FUNfitness (physiotherapy), Health Promotion (preventative medicine), Healthy Hearing (audiology), Special Smiles® (dentistry), Strong Minds (mental health), and Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes® (vision care).
Healthy Athletes activities will take place from 09:00 to 14:00 on 8 November and from 10:00 to 18:00 on 9-12 November.
