The city of Pedro Juan Caballero, about 450 kilometres north of Asunción on the Brazilian border, held the opening ceremony for the 2026 Paraguay University Games on Friday 24 April 2026. This event marked the beginning of one of the nation’s most important youth sporting competitions, which is bringing together thousands of students from higher education institutions across the country.
The official opening ceremony was held at the Estadio Campeones del Amambay, before a series of competitions that will take place throughout the year.
2026 University Games: A platform for national talent
Mario González, the head of the Department of Federations at the National Sports Secretariat (SND), emphasised in an interview with state media that this initiative represents a key platform for the comprehensive development of young university students. Furthermore, he highlighted its role in fostering a sustained competitive process that allows for the identification of new talent and the strengthening of sport at a national level.
The competition, González stated, is structured to ensure wide participation through a federal model. The games will progress through several stages, beginning at the municipal level before moving on to departmental, regional, and finally national phases. This layered approach “is designed to consolidate a participatory and inclusive framework, engaging students from all corners of Paraguay”.
Ambitious participation goals
According to the National Sports Secretariat, the 2026 edition of the University Games aims to attract more than 12,000 student athletes. The event seeks to promote not only sporting practice, but also social integration, healthy lifestyles, and the reinforcement of crucial values. Among these are teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.
The competitions will encompass five distinct disciplines. These include field football, fútbol de salón (futsal), handball, basketball, and volleyball. In 2025, Paraguay welcomed over 1,600 athletes for the South American School Games.
Focus extends to school-level sports
In parallel with the university event, the SND is also advancing its plans for the 2026 National School and Student Games (JEEN). Regarded as the largest inter-school sporting event in the country, this year’s JEEN projects a turnout of over 110,000 participants from across the national territory.
As part of the organisational schedule, the SND plans to hold virtual socialisation meetings with Educational Coordinations nationwide. Meanwhile, the registration period for participants is currently open and will conclude on 30 April. The initial municipal phase of the JEEN is programmed to begin in May, marking the start of a process that will culminate in national finals.
Officials have stated that the JEEN aims to establish itself as “a space for holistic development, where young people can demonstrate their sporting skills while also embracing fundamental values such as respect, responsibility, and companionship”.
Promoting inclusivity through sport
These large-scale events are part of a broader sports policy being driven by the SND. This policy also includes strengthening the national network of Sports Schools and implementing the Indigenous Sports Schools programme, an initiative promoted by the Minister of Sports, César Ramírez.
This particular programme involves providing sports equipment to indigenous communities in several departments, including Amambay, Itapúa, Concepción, Canindeyú, and the Paraguayan Chaco. The objective is to guarantee access to sport as a powerful tool for social integration and community development.
