The 2027 Pacific Games (French: 2027 Jeux du Pacifique; Tahitian: 2027 Ha‘utira‘a no Pātifita), officially known as the XVIII Pacific Games, and commonly known as Tahiti 2027 or Pirae 2027 (Tahitian: Pīraʻe 2027) is an upcoming continental multi-sport event for Pacific Island countries and territories that is scheduled to take place in Pirae, Tahiti, French Polynesia from 24 July to 8 August 2027.[1]
It will be the third Pacific Games to be held in Tahiti after the 1971 South Pacific Games in Papeete and 1995 South Pacific Games in Pirae.
Six countries and territories expressed interest in bidding for the games.[2] American Samoa, Fiji, Guam, Tahiti, Tonga, and Vanuatu were among them. When the competition was known as the South Pacific Games, Fiji, Guam, and Tahiti hosted it in the past. Tonga, who were the initial winning bidders for the 2019 Games but later withdrew as host,[3] also indicated their interest in hosting the games.[2] As a result of their unsuccessful bids for the 2011 and 2015 Pacific Games, American Samoa and Vanuatu also expressed interest.[2]
Fiji withdrew its bid earlier in 2021 owing to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and chose to concentrate on the 2031 Pacific Games instead.[4] The Pacific Games Council narrowed down the remaining candidate nations and territories, eliminating American Samoa, Guam, and Tonga from consideration as hosts in favor of Tahiti and Vanuatu.[5] On 25 June, both Tahiti and Vanuatu presented their official bids for the Games hosting rights.[6]
The 22 PGC members that participated in the teleconferenced PGC General Assembly on 6 November 2021, voted in favor of Tahiti's candidacy.[1][7]
The program of the 2027 Pacific Games is expected to include events in at least 24 sports, including 17 of the "core" sports contested since 2023. In their official bid in 2021, the Tahiti 2027 Organizing Committee shortlisted nine proposed sports for consideration as optional events for these Games: badminton, cycling, handball, netball, powerlifting, shooting, squash, surfing, and wrestling.[8] In November 2023, the Pacific Games Council omitted handball and netball from the list while approving the other seven as part of their policy of introducing Games-specific sports to maximize local interest and growth.[9] It is also mandatory that at least six sports have events in parasports.[7]
Venues will be located in various cities in the two islands of Tahiti and Mo'orea which are part of the Windward Islands. Pirae, the official host city, will host the opening and closing ceremonies at the Pater Stadium.[7] Listed are 20 proposed venues for the 17 compulsory sports only.