The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee -IOC- has invited Asunción (Paraguay), Bangkok (Thailand) and Santiago (Chile) to enter a Targeted Dialogue for the selection of the host city of the Youth Olympic Games 2030, granting them Preferred Host status. The decision opens a new phase of the process, with the aim of appointing the host city in 2026 and allowing sufficient time for the preparation of the event.
This phase is based on the IOC Feasibility Assessments, technical documents prepared by the IOC to analyse the feasibility, approach and legacy of each project. Drawing on these assessments, the three candidatures present distinct proposals in terms of vision, operational model, infrastructure and organisational experience, elements that will shape the development of the Targeted Dialogue.
Asunción: youth, social cohesion and a compact model
The candidature of Asunción, Paraguay, places youth at the core of its project, building on the country’s demographic profile and on sport as a tool for social cohesion and development. The plan proposes a compact model, with a single main cluster of venues and one Youth Olympic Village, relying largely on existing or temporary facilities, which supports cost control and operational sustainability.
In terms of legacy, the Paraguayan project links the Games to programmes in education, school sport, nutrition and social housing, integrating the Youth Olympic Village into long-term urban development plans. The candidature is also supported by the country’s recent experience as a host of multi-sport events, such as the South American Games 2022 and the Junior Pan American Games 2025, which have served as a test of its organisational capacity.
Bangkok: cultural diversity and regional reach
The proposal from Bangkok, Thailand, positions the Games as a platform to strengthen the role of youth sport in Southeast Asia, combining cultural diversity, inclusion and regional reach. The territorial model is structured around several hubs — Bangkok, Chonburi and Phuket — and includes the use of university campuses as competition venues and athlete accommodation.
The legacy of the Thai project focuses on integrating sport into the education system, fostering innovation in physical activity programmes and promoting initiatives linked to gender equality. The candidature is underpinned by the country’s extensive experience in hosting international and continental competitions, as well as strong institutional support aligned with national development plans.
Santiago: Pan American legacy and multi-sport experience
The candidature of Santiago, Chile, is based on the direct use of the legacy of the Pan American Games 2023, with a high concentration of venues already in operation and a model that combines an urban cluster with facilities in coastal areas. This foundation reduces the need for new construction and supports efficient logistical planning.
The Chilean project connects the Games with existing public policies in areas such as physical activity, health, innovation and sustainability, with a specific focus on youth participation. The experience gained from hosting recent multi-sport events strengthens the operational credibility of the candidature within the IOC process.
All three proposals share key elements valued at this stage, including the predominant use of existing or temporary venues, the pursuit of sustainable operational models and the definition of tangible legacies for young people. At the same time, each project presents a distinct approach, ranging from compact models to regional schemes, and from social legacies to the reuse of recent infrastructure.
With the opening of the Targeted Dialogue, the IOC will now begin more detailed work with the National Olympic Committees of Paraguay, Thailand and Chile, focusing on refining the technical and operational aspects of each proposal. This phase will culminate in the election of the host city of the Youth Olympic Games 2030 in 2026.
