The 2026 Virtus Asia Oceania Games Is Coming To Bangkok

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Virtus is excited to announce that the second edition of the Virtus Asia-Oceania Games will take place in Bangkok, Thailand from November 20 to November 30, 2026. Hosted by the Sports Association for Intellectual Disability of Thailand, this major event will bring together top athletes with intellectual disabilities from across Asia and Oceania, showcasing their incredible skills, sportsmanship, and unity.

The Games will be supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, the Thailand National Paralympic Committee, national sports federations and other key organizations. This prestigious event aims to provide a high-level competition for athlete with an intellectual impairment in classes II1, II2, and II3, and members of VIRTUS. Athletes will compete in various disciplines, such as athletics, swimming, table tennis, basketball, cycling, taekwondo, indoor rowing, tennis, and futsal.

“We want to congratulate SAIT for winning the bid to host the next edition of the 2026 Virtus Asia-Oceania Games. There are a lot of potential athletes with intellectual impairment in the Asian region and Virtus wants to tap into that potential and support them by all means possible to reach their full sporting excellence”, said Virtus President, Marc Truffaut.

SAIT has a rich history of hosting major events, including the 2016 Indoor Para Archery, World Cup, the 2016 IPC Shooting World Cup, the 2016 INAS Swimming Championships, Asia, and the 2017 INAS Athletics Championships. The competition will have support from the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Swimming Association of Thailand. SAIT aspires to build and strengthen long-term partnerships with sponsors, ensuring continued support for the community of people with intellectual impairment.

Talking about SAIT’s vision of the event, Paul Charnvit, President of SAIT said,

“The event will highlight the potential of athletes with an intellectual impairment to compete at high levels, while offering the people of Thailand a unique opportunity to witness their exceptional abilities. It will also foster relationships and unity among Virtus member countries in Asia and Oceania.”

“A key legacy of the Games will be the development of new sports for athletes with intellectual impairment in Thailand, building long-term partnerships with sponsors and communities to ensure continued support and future opportunities,” he further added.

The 2026 Virtus Asia-Oceania Games will be a celebration of excellence and inclusion, leaving a lasting impact on sport in Thailand and the wider region.

Join us in Bangkok for ten days of incredible athletic achievements, inspiration, and unity at the 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championship!

More information and an application pack will be available on the Virtus website soon.

About host city

Bangkok, the capital and most populous city of Thailand, boasts an estimated population of 10.5 million. Historically known as “The Venice of the East” Bangkok’s origins trace back to a small trading post during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century. The city played a crucial role in Thailand’s modernization during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Today, Bangkok is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that significantly influences Thailand’s politics, economy, education, media, and modern society.