Three cities – Asunción, Bangkok and Santiago – in the running to host Youth Olympic Games in 2030 with an election planned for June

[GBModerator]

The three cities were accepted into the IOC's targeted dialogue phase of the bid process as preferred hosts after successfully completing the continuous dialogue stage where interested parties are vetted for suitability

The post Three cities – Asunción, Bangkok and Santiago – in the running to host Youth Olympic Games in 2030 with an election planned for June appeared first on GamesBids.com.

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[stryker]

A perfect exhibit as to why the YOGs were created; to give cities that don't have the finances or infrastructure to host the big one. All three candidate cities would make excellent YOGs hosts.

[baron-pierreIV]

My guess is Santiago.  (Bangkok is just too crazy. Between Chile and Paraguay, I think Chile has the stronger economy, hence, I would rate it a better candidate.  Besides, Asuncion will already be one of the 3 Opening Game venues for World Cup 2030.  So, IOC has a policy that there shouldn't be a major rival sports event w/in 6 months--backwards and forwards-- of any sort of Olympic Games.  So, I'm surprised that no one has brought up this coming "infraction" on Olympic Games.  But that should invalidate Asuncion's YOG's bid. -- Not unless, the Asuncion World Cup game is in like, late May-- and the 2030 YOGs will be in early December?? 

Edited December 11, 2025 by baron-pierreIV

[Roger87]

2 hours ago, baron-pierreIV said:

My guess is Santiago.  (Bangkok is just too crazy. Between Chile and Paraguay, I think Chile has the stronger economy, hence, I would rate it a better candidate.  Besides, Asuncion will already be one of the 3 Opening Game venues for World Cup 2030.  So, IOC has a policy that there shouldn't be a major rival sports event w/in 6 months--backwards and forwards-- of any sort of Olympic Games.  So, I'm surprised that no one has brought up this coming "infraction" on Olympic Games.  But that should invalidate Asuncion's YOG's bid. -- Not unless, the Asuncion World Cup game is in like, late May-- and the 2030 YOGs will be in early December?? 

Hoping the upcoming prospect of neo Pinocheism returning to Chile with a certified son of a Nazi refugee as the upcoming President of Chile is short lived but I doubt it. 

Picking Santiago may be the MAGA version of LA 2028 in Youth Olympics. 

[Sir Rols]

15 minutes ago, Roger87 said:

Picking Santiago may be the MAGA version of LA 2028 in Youth Olympics. 

It’s hardly a disqualification these days. Following LA and Milan, it will make it three from three.

[Bear]

A few months ago I would have said that Bangkok had it in the bag, seeing as they had the most developed bid out of any city. However with Thailand-Cambodia relations becoming so tense that Cambodia completely withdrew from the ongoing SEA Games the day after the opening ceremony, I can't see the IOC moving forward with the Thai bid in June.

I was reading the three cities' feasibility assessments, and out of Santiago and Asuncion, Santiago seems like the safest and most experienced option. The IOC brings up a major point as to how Asuncion expects to be able to handle the Youth Olympic Games in 2030, and then the Pan American + Para Pan American Games just one year later. Seems like a lot for a mid-sized city, and for the Paraguayan government considering that they've pledged to fund 95% (!!!) of the YOG budget.

Feasibility Assessments:
Asuncion | Santiago | Bangkok

[Roger87]

8 hours ago, Sir Rols said:

It’s hardly a disqualification these days. Following LA and Milan, it will make it three from three.

True, although with Milan, the person who opens is the President Mattarella, no Meloni.

But yep Trump-Kast is a ride of neofascism in global trend. 

[world atlas]

Since the YOG is an initiative for the youth and after making 17 the maximum age why not follow the model of the European Youth Olympic Festival instead of the main Olympic Games ?

renaming it to for example the International Youth Olympic Festival or keeping its current name is irrelevant.

keeping it a quadrennial event means some young athletes will miss out for example they are too young for 2030 but too old in 2034.

also since the YOG are made for smaller cities/countries to host it making it biennial will give more opportunities for more cities to host.

if the IOC takes Coventry's fit for the future initiative opportunity to change the YOG format to be more relevant,compact,smaller,sustainable,inclusive and global in the long term.

let the requirements be easy to met by most cities in the world and be flexible with the sports program for each edition.

yes making it a biennial event would be challenging for the IOC and a new department specializing in the bidding process, management and organizing the youth olympics may be needed, but following the example of EYOF should be the way to solve this.

if in the end the majority of IOC members decides to keep the current YOG format the way it is, well, let it be as they want.

for Santiago 2030 the current Chilean presidential term is for 4 years and the president can't run for consecutive terms so whoever wins tomorrow Jara or Kast should leave office in March 2030 and the next president to be elected in 2029 will open the games in October 2030 if Santiago wins the hosting rights.

[SportLightning]

I would love to see Asuncion host in 2030 as a warm up to the 2031 Pan American Games.

[Bear]

Kast wins the presidency 🙁

[Bear]

Just now, Bear said:

Kast wins the presidency 🙁

In Chile, that is

[Roger87]

On 12/12/2025 at 5:51 PM, world atlas said:

for Santiago 2030 the current Chilean presidential term is for 4 years and the president can't run for consecutive terms so whoever wins tomorrow Jara or Kast should leave office in March 2030 and the next president to be elected in 2029 will open the games in October 2030 if Santiago wins the hosting rights.

The issue is, since 2021 it has been a consistent advance of the right and far right in Chile. Even with Boric into power they stopped and derailed the Constitutional election and now with Kast into power means a clear damage and vindication of the Pinochetism. 

Let's not forget not only Kast won, he has majority in the Congress (People said the Parisi's voters won't count, but check the proposals). 

[Roger87]

Chile may suffered radical changes with Kast now in power. Let's not forget he's admirer of Milei and now making amendments with Kaiser, the future may look bleaker. 

[SportLightning]

Reports say that Asunción, Paraguay is the favorite to host after successful organizing the Junior Pan American Games earlier this year.

https://swimswam.com/asuncion-santiago-and-bangkok-named-finalists-to-host-2030-youth-olympic-games/