What are the Parapan American Games?
The Parapan American Games are the continental multi-sport games for Para athletes of the Americas, held every four years immediately after the Pan American Games, in the same host city and venues. Santiago 2023 was the most recent edition; Lima hosts in 2027.[1] [2]
Who organizes the Parapan American Games?
The Games are governed by the Americas Paralympic Committee — the regional body of the International Paralympic Committee — and staged with the host organizing committee alongside Panam Sports' Pan American Games structure.[1] [3]
When and where are they held?
Every four years since 1999, and since Rio 2007 always in the Pan American Games host city, using the Games' venues in the weeks after the able-bodied event.[3]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | — | Lima (PER) — upcoming |
| 2023 | — | Santiago (CHI) |
| 2019 | — | Lima (PER) |
| 2015 | — | Toronto (CAN) |
| 2011 | — | Guadalajara (MEX) |
| 2007 | — | Rio de Janeiro (BRA) |
| 2003 | — | Mar del Plata (ARG) |
| 1999 | — | Mexico City (MEX) |
Lima 2027 follows the Pan American Games of July–August 2027.[2]
Since when do they exist?
The first Parapan American Games were held in Mexico City in 1999; the event has grown alongside the Paralympic movement, with Santiago 2023 the largest edition to date.[1] [3]
How do athletes qualify?
As at the Paralympics, athletes compete within sport-specific classifications and are entered by their National Paralympic Committees, with slots allocated through regional rankings, championships and qualification events set by each sport's federation with the Americas Paralympic Committee.[1] [3] In several sports the Parapan Games double as the Americas' qualifier for the following Paralympic Games.[1]
Why do the Parapan American Games matter?
They are the highest continental honor in Para sport in the Americas and, in many sports, the direct route to Paralympic qualification — making Parapan medals significant international achievements backed by national-team selection.[1] [2]
Who competes?
National Paralympic delegations from across the Americas — Brazil, the United States, Colombia, Mexico and Argentina lead recent medal tables — competing across the Paralympic sports program.[1] [3]
References
- International Paralympic Committee — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Team Canada — Lima 2027. Accessed August 2026.
- Wikipedia — Parapan American Games (background). Accessed August 2026.