Santiago, Chile, will host the 2027 Special Olympics World Games, marking the first time the event will be held in Latin America [1].
This selection represents a historic shift for the organization, which has operated for 60 years [4]. By bringing the games to South America, the event aims to promote global inclusion and expand the reach of adaptive sports in a region that has not yet hosted a World Games edition [4].
The competition is scheduled to take place from Oct. 16 to Oct. 24, 2027 [2]. This event follows 17 previous editions of the World Games [4]. The selection of Santiago serves as a strategic move to highlight the capabilities of Latin American infrastructure, and the region's commitment to athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Preparation for the event is already underway. National qualifiers began on July 27, 2026 [5], with early events taking place in the Biobío region. Authorities officially launched the games during a ceremony at the Plaza de la Constitución, located near the Palacio de La Moneda in Santiago.
Rodrigo Gardella, CEO of the Special Olympics World Games, said the host city is ambitious. "Queremos ser un punto de inflexión," Gardella said, indicating a desire for the games to be a turning point [6].
The road to 2027 involves a rigorous qualification process to determine which athletes will represent their nations on the world stage. The event is expected to draw thousands of participants and spectators to the Chilean capital, further integrating the city into the international sporting community.
“The first time the Special Olympics World Games are held in Latin America.”
The decision to host the Special Olympics World Games in Santiago breaks a long-standing geographic pattern, as the event has avoided Latin America for 17 editions. This shift suggests an intentional effort by the Special Olympics to decentralize its influence and foster inclusion in emerging markets. For Chile, hosting an event of this scale provides an opportunity to showcase its accessibility infrastructure and elevate the profile of disability rights on a global stage.
