The XIII South American Games are running from 12 to 26 September 2026 across three Argentine cities: Rosario, Santa Fe, and Rafaela. With 15 nations competing across 43 sports and 465 events, it is the largest multi-sport gathering to take place in Argentina since the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.
Entry to competitions is free, with tickets available in advance at ARS 10,000 per session (approximately USD 7) or on the day at reduced remaining capacity. Sports include athletics, basketball, volleyball, swimming, rowing, cycling, and a mix of team and individual disciplines.
Venues and Schedule
Competition venues are distributed across the three host cities:
- Rosario: the primary host city, handling the majority of indoor and outdoor athletics, aquatics, and team sports at the Estadio Mundialista and the Parque de la Independencia complex
- Santa Fe: hosting rowing on the Paraná river system, cycling time trials, and a cluster of combat sports
- Rafaela: hosting cycling road races and some of the outdoor adventure disciplines
The athletics programme at Rosario runs through the final weekend, with medal events concentrated between September 22 and 26.
What This Means for Travellers
If you are already planning to visit Rosario this month — or considering it — the games are free to attend and provide a straightforward opportunity to watch high-level South American sport in an accessible venue setting.
The more practical concern is accommodation. Hotels and guesthouses in Rosario and Santa Fe are under significantly higher demand than normal for the final two weeks of September 2026. Anyone planning to visit and stay overnight should have confirmed accommodation before travelling — same-day availability is unlikely at reasonable rates in either city.
Rafaela, which hosts only a portion of the programme, has more accommodation capacity and remains a quieter option for watching the cycling events.
Rosario Beyond the Games
Rosario is Argentina’s third-largest city and a genuinely rewarding destination independent of the games. The Paraná riverfront is the city’s main social space — a long promenade with parks, cafés, and restaurants facing the water. The Monumento Nacional a la Bandera (Flag Monument) sits at the centre of this strip and marks the spot where the Argentine flag was first raised in 1812.
Rosario also has an active dining and nightlife scene, with the Pichincha neighbourhood and Bulevar Oroño functioning as the main evening areas. The city’s food culture skews heavily toward asado (Argentine barbecue) and empanadas santafesinas.
Transport between Rosario and Santa Fe is straightforward — the two cities are separated by about 170 km on Route 11, with frequent bus services running throughout the day.
Practical Notes
The South American Games are expected to draw large crowds on the medal-heavy final weekend of September 22–26. Travellers not specifically attending the games may want to note that restaurants and transport in central Rosario will be busier than usual through the end of September. The games close on 26 September, after which normal conditions return.
For more on Rosario, the broader Litoral region, and how to plan your time in central Argentina, see our city guide to Santa Fe and the Rosario guide. For guided tours of Rosario and the surrounding region, browse Rosario tours and activities.