25 August 2026: This Monday, in front of La Moneda Palace, the official launch of the 17th edition of the Special Olympics World Games took place. The Special Olympics 2027 World Games Santiago will be held in Chile from October 16 – 24 next year. The world’s largest sporting and social event for people with intellectual disabilities, Santiago 2027 will welcome 6,000 athletes from more than 170 countries.
Government officials, athletes and representatives from a range of organizations gathered at Plaza de la Constitución for the official unveiling of what will be a landmark national event. Through sport, Santiago 2027 aims to accelerate progress in inclusion by three decades and create a lasting sustainable legacy for people with disabilities, who represent 17.6% of Chile’s population.
Santiago 2027 will feature competition in 23 sports disciplines, 14 of which will be offered as Special Olympics Unified Sports, where people with and without intellectual disabilities compete together on the same team on equal terms. The model offers a powerful example of inclusion that can be replicated across all areas of society. Gonzalo Escobar, Special Olympics Chile Athlete Leader, said: “We are people with intellectual disabilities, but when people call us ‘disabled,’ they disable us from doing everything. We are going to give the best of our abilities on the field and show our full potential.”
Carolina Picasso, President of Special Olympics Chile, explained that “this is not just about supporting athletes with disabilities. It is about what kind of society we want to be. We must use these Games as an opportunity to drive meaningful change in terms of inclusion and, in doing so, build a better country. To those making decisions today, those working in education and sport, those creating employment opportunities, municipalities and institutions of all kinds: we invite you to join us. You cannot be left out.”
Minister of Sport of Chile, Francisco Riveros, stressed that “sport has a transformative power that goes far beyond competition: It is capable of breaking down barriers, change perceptions and build a more inclusive society. That is why these Special Olympics World Games represent a unique opportunity to position Chile as a global leader in this area.”
