The Special Olympics World Games will come to Latin America for the first time in 2027, when Santiago, Chile, plays host as the movement’s biggest events continue to expand globally.
Chile has committed more than $134 million to fully plan and develop the 2027 Games, said Claudia Echeverry, the regional president and managing director of Special Olympics Latin America.
“These aren’t just competitions,” she said. “These are platforms for visibility and innovation. It shows that inclusion is not about charities. It’s about smart, strategic and essential policy.”
On average, it costs approximately $140 million to put on a World Summer Games and $30 million to put on a World Winter Games, although budgets vary by location. The funding is a combination of government and privately raised funds and corporate sponsorships, with the money being spent to support event operations, facilities management, staffing, accommodations, hospitality and the opening and closing ceremonies.
It also provides an opportunity for the event to leave a legacy in the host city. For example, Special Olympics Chile is seeking funding to grow from eight programs in the region to 16.
The cost has not deterred nations from bidding. Special Olympics CEO David Evangelista said the organization “both solicits bids and entertains cities that approach us.” Special Olympics is planning ahead more than ever with hosts confirmed through 2029, with Switzerland set to host the Winter Games, and dialogue already started for the 2031, 2033 and 2035 World Games.
The bidding process itself has shifted in recent years. Special Olympics has moved from a more typical event procurement structure: bids developed, bids submitted, bids evaluated, with ultimately a host voted on and awarded an event. Now, Special Olympics follows a model used by the IOC, World Rugby and others.
“Essentially, it’s a dialogue process,” said Louis Lauria, Special Olympics chief of sport and competition. “I always use the analogy of a shop. You open up a shop. People come in, and they might go right after what they want and say, ‘I want the 2033 World Games. Take that off the shelf, and let’s talk about it.’ Or they might say, ‘I’m not sure what I want, but I want to do something.’ And then you have that conversation.”
This approach has expanded Special Olympics’ portfolio with new single-sport championships, which typically cost $1 million to $3 million, along with the World Games and World Winter Games.
The Summer Games date to 1968 in Chicago, with the first 10 events held in the United States. The Games have been hosted by Ireland (2003), China (2007), Greece (2011), United Arab Emirates (2019) and Germany (2023).
The Winter Games were in Italy in 2025 and are headed to Switzerland in 2029 after previous international stops in Canada (1997), Japan (2005), South Korea (2013) and Austria (2017). The Winter Games dates to 1977.
Lauria said his organization’s brand awareness is “incredibly high” in the U.S. But that’s not the case in Chile, New Zealand, Finland or in other countries, which is why it has been important to host World Games abroad.
Organizers cite a “ripple effect” among international countries that want to host the Special Olympics after it’s been held in a neighboring nation.
Not long ago, the host determinations were more about economic impact and media coverage. Now, it’s about social impact. How can the presence of the Special Olympics help to make improvements in society? How can the Special Olympics achieve its goals in education and health care?
The first question isn’t “how can” a city host a World Games. The first question is “why should” a city host a World Games, and if everything is aligned, then the conversation can be had about venues, hotels and airports.
Putting on an event is not an insignificant endeavor.
Organizers in Chile plan to host more than 7,000 athletes from 170 countries; about 500,000 spectators; between 6,000 and 20,000 volunteers; and 4,000 honored guests, such as corporate and foundation partners, celebrities, heads of state and ministers of sport.
In addition, the expectation is for more than 6,000 family members, 2,000 media members and about 1,000 referees/officials to attend.
Switzerland in 2029 is expecting to host a much smaller contingent, but still more than 2,000 Winter Games athletes from 110 countries.