Barranquilla has been selected as the official host city for the PanAm Aquatics 2027, one of the most important sporting events on the American continent’s calendar. The competition will take place between late April and May 2027 and will bring together more than 1,500 athletes from 45 countries for nearly a month of sporting activities.
The designation marks a historic milestone for Colombia, as it will be the first time the country hosts the complete continental aquatic sports championship. Although Colombia has previously organized regional tournaments and qualifying events, it had never hosted this Pan-American competition, which has traditionally been held in countries such as the United States, Mexico, and Brazil.
Barranquilla’s selection also strengthens the city’s position as one of Latin America’s leading sports hubs. In recent years, the capital of the Atlántico department has increased its international prominence after hosting the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games and advancing several projects linked to international sporting competitions.
The championship will feature seven disciplines: swimming, diving, artistic swimming, water polo, open water swimming, high diving, and 4×4 water polo. The latter discipline, along with high diving, will officially debut as part of the PanAm Aquatics program, expanding the event’s sports offering.
Barranquilla will host the PanAm Aquatics 2027
The competitions will be divided among different venues across the Atlántico department. The Complejo Acuático Distrital Eduardo Movilla will serve as the main venue for swimming, diving, artistic swimming, water polo, and high diving events.
Meanwhile, Puerto Velero will host the open water swimming and 4×4 water polo competitions, taking advantage of the natural coastal conditions for these disciplines.
The tournament will also hold strategic importance for athletes across the continent, as it will serve as an official qualifier for the Lima 2027 Pan American Games as well as for the Aquatics World Championships set to take place in Budapest.
Sports authorities expect thousands of international visitors — including delegations, coaches, media representatives, and fans — to arrive during the month-long competition, boosting tourism and the local economy in Barranquilla and nearby municipalities.
Barranquilla strengthens its image as an international sports city
Barranquilla’s designation as host of PanAm Aquatics 2027 also represents recognition of the city’s growing sports infrastructure and organizational capacity for large-scale events. Various sectors believe the announcement consolidates the city as one of the emerging sports capitals of the Americas.
In addition to the competitive aspect, organizers confirmed that the championship will include educational and training programs aimed at children and young people interested in aquatic sports. These initiatives are expected to leave a social and sporting legacy that extends beyond the official competitions.