The Ente Patagónico del Deporte (EPADE) regional games are just a month away, promising a significant showcase of athletic talent across Patagonia. The multi-sport event, encompassing the Juegos de la Integración Patagónica (JIP) and ParaEPADE alongside the main EPADE competition, will kick off on April 13th, bringing together athletes from La Pampa, Río Negro, Neuquén, Chubut, Santa Cruz, and Tierra del Fuego.
The games begin in Chubut province, with Rawson hosting the 3×3 wheelchair basketball and Boccia competitions, both part of the ParaEPADE schedule. Simultaneously, Comodoro Rivadavia will welcome athletes for ParaEPADE’s athletics and swimming events for athletes with disabilities. Rada Tilly will also host beach volleyball as part of the JIP.
The following week, from April 20th to 24th, the JIP action shifts to Tierra del Fuego. Río Grande is preparing to host Olympic weightlifting, archery (for both conventional and athletes with disabilities), and table tennis (also including athletes with disabilities). Ushuaia will join the action, hosting badminton competitions for both conventional athletes and those with disabilities.
Santa Cruz province will also play a key role during that week. Caleta Olivia will be the site for Olympic wrestling and Taekwondo (WT), while Río Gallegos will host climbing, artistic gymnastics, and tennis competitions, all under the JIP banner.
Alongside the JIP events, the 19th edition of the Juegos Patagónicos (EPADE) will also get underway from April 20th to 24th. This marks a return for the games after cancellations in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2024 for economic reasons. The first EPADE was held in 2006.
Neuquén will be the first host city for EPADE, welcoming swimming competitions. The remaining EPADE disciplines will follow a month later, from May 17th to 23rd. Neuquén’s capital city will also host athletics and handball – the latter making its full debut after being a guest sport at the 2021 Juegos Nacionales de la Araucanía, also held in Neuquén, and featured in a binational edition of the Patagonian Games in Comodoro Rivadavia in 2013. Santa Rosa (La Pampa) will host cycling, judo, and volleyball, while Viedma (Río Negro) will be the venue for basketball and soccer.
Qualifying events are already underway to determine the teams representing Tierra del Fuego. On March 6th, the Polideportivo Eduardo Rogolini, at the Club San Martín, hosted the table tennis qualifiers for the JIP. Sebastián Gómez, Benjamín Moya, Ariana Velásquez, and Evelyn González, all from Río Grande, secured their spots on the Fuegian team. Further qualifiers are planned for climbing, artistic gymnastics, Olympic weightlifting, Olympic wrestling, and Taekwondo WT.
The Patagonian Games represent a significant commitment to regional sports development and inclusion. The Ente Patagónico del Deporte has emphasized the importance of unity among the Patagonian provinces in supporting athletes and promoting sport as a key policy.
Here’s a quick overview of the initial schedule:
- April 13-17: Rawson (Chubut) – Wheelchair Basketball (ParaEPADE), Boccia (ParaEPADE)
- April 13-17: Comodoro Rivadavia (Chubut) – Athletics (ParaEPADE), Swimming (ParaEPADE)
- April 13-17: Rada Tilly (Chubut) – Beach Volleyball (JIP)
- April 20-24: Río Grande (Tierra del Fuego) – Olympic Weightlifting (JIP), Archery (JIP)
- April 20-24: Río Grande (Tierra del Fuego) – Table Tennis (JIP)
- April 20-24: Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego) – Badminton (JIP)
- April 20-24: Caleta Olivia (Santa Cruz) – Olympic Wrestling (JIP), Taekwondo (JIP)
- April 20-24: Río Gallegos (Santa Cruz) – Climbing (JIP), Artistic Gymnastics (JIP), Tennis (JIP)
- April 20-24: Neuquén – Swimming (EPADE)
- May 17-23: Neuquén – Athletics (EPADE), Handball (EPADE)
- May 17-23: Santa Rosa (La Pampa) – Cycling (EPADE), Judo (EPADE), Volleyball (EPADE)
- May 17-23: Viedma (Río Negro) – Basketball (EPADE), Soccer (EPADE)
The next confirmed checkpoint is the continuation of qualifying events across the provinces, with dates to be announced. Maintain an eye on the Ente Patagónico del Deporte’s official channels for further updates and detailed schedules.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming Patagonian Games? Share your predictions and excitement in the comments below!
