After years of anticipation, CBEM Brazil (Confederação Brasileira de Esportes Masters) has announced the creation of the first Brazilian Masters Games, scheduled to debut in 2026. The landmark event aims to celebrate longevity in sport, promote healthy lifestyles, and position Brazil as a leading hub for masters-level athletic development in the Americas.
This initiative marks a new chapter for masters sports in Brazil following the cancellation of the Pan American Masters Games Rio 2020, an event that was expected to draw thousands of athletes from across the continent before the global Covid-19 pandemic forced its suspension. The 2026 Brazilian Masters Games step in not only as a replacement opportunity but also as a long-term legacy project strengthening the national masters sports movement.
CBEM Brazil has long advocated for greater visibility and organization of the masters sports community—athletes aged typically 30+, 35+, or older depending on the discipline. The debut of the Brazilian Masters Games will:
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Bring together athletes from all regions of Brazil
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Offer a multi-sport program modeled on international masters events
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Stimulate sports tourism and community engagement
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Encourage lifelong participation in sports
Rather than serving solely as a competition, the event is expected to operate as a nationwide festival of health, culture, and athletic camaraderie, reflecting the inclusive spirit of masters sport.
The global disruption caused by Covid-19 led to the cancellation of the Pan American Masters Games Rio 2020, a disappointment for both the organizing committee and the international masters community. However, the International Masters Games Association (IMGA) has maintained ongoing contact with Brazilian institutions and continues to explore future possibilities to bring a major IMGA-sanctioned event back to Rio de Janeiro.
The launch of the national Games in 2026 positions CBEM Brazil as a stronger partner for IMGA discussions, showing organizational maturity and commitment to the masters movement. The event will allow Brazil to:
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Test and refine logistical models for large-scale masters events
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Strengthen partnerships with sports federations and host cities
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Mobilize the nationwide masters community
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Demonstrate the demand for international-caliber competition
The success of the Brazilian Masters Games could serve as a catalyst for renewed bids to host future international competitions — possibly even the revival of Rio’s candidacy.
With preparations underway for the inaugural Brazilian Masters Games in 2026, CBEM Brazil is poised to deliver an event that honors the resilience of the masters sports community after the challenges of the pandemic. The continued interest from the IMGA reinforces Brazil’s potential to once again welcome athletes from across the globe.
The 2026 Games promise not only to celebrate athletic achievement but also to reaffirm the role of sport as a lifelong pursuit—one that transcends age, borders, and adversity.
