The 2026 Loterias Caixa Paralympic Festival will take place in Poços de Caldas this Saturday, September 19, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the headquarters of the Centro Integrado de Desenvolvimento do Esporte Paralímpico, or CIDEP. The address published by the city government is Avenida Dirce Pereira Rosa, 405, Jardim Esperança. The activity is intended for children, teenagers and young adults aged 7 to 23, with priority for people with disabilities.
This is not a competition. The program has been presented as a playful, recreational and inclusive experience designed to let participants discover and try Paralympic sports. For anyone planning to attend, the most important point is to use the local service information published by the Poços de Caldas city government, because it lists a different time from the general schedule published by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee.
Service information for the Paralympic Festival in Poços de Caldas
| Item | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Date | September 19, 2026 |
| Time in Poços | 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. |
| Venue | CIDEP, Avenida Dirce Pereira Rosa, 405, Jardim Esperança, Poços de Caldas |
| Age range | 7 to 23 years old |
| Priority public | People with disabilities |
| Format | Playful, recreational and non-competitive Paralympic sport experiences |
These details appear in the official announcement from the Poços de Caldas city government, published on September 18.
Which time applies in Poços: 8 to 11 a.m. or 9 a.m. to noon?
The Brazilian Paralympic Committee lists 9 a.m. to noon as the general national service time for the Festival. The Poços de Caldas city government, however, gives the specific local schedule as 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at CIDEP.
For people attending in Poços, the more specific reference is the municipal schedule: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The difference matters because the Festival is being held simultaneously at many venues and local organizers may use their own operating times.
Who can take part
In Poços de Caldas, the city government says the activity is for people aged 7 to 23 and that priority will be given to participants with disabilities. The Festival's national rules also provide for participation by children and young people with and without disabilities, subject to the rules of each local hub.
The Brazilian Paralympic Committee reported that the 2026 edition has about 35,000 registered participants across 149 venues in 115 cities in all 27 Brazilian states and the Federal District. This year's Festival is being held as a single edition on September 19.
What the activity will be like
The local announcement does not provide a final list of the sports that will be offered at CIDEP. What is confirmed is that participants will be able to discover and try different Paralympic sports in a recreational, integrated and non-competitive format.
At the national level, the Brazilian Paralympic Committee lists athletics, sitting volleyball and boccia among the most widely offered sports at 2026 venues, along with badminton, goalball, wheelchair basketball, judo, table tennis, blind football and others. This national list does not confirm which of these sports will be available in Poços de Caldas.
Is registration required?
The Brazilian Paralympic Committee had announced that online registration for the 2026 Festival would remain open until September 16. The municipal notice published on September 18 does not state whether people without prior registration can join on site, whether there is a waiting list or whether remaining places may be offered on the day.
Anyone who did not register by the national deadline should therefore check directly with CIDEP before travelling. The official CIDEP website lists the phone number +55 35 98815-9179 and the email address cidep.pocos@gmail.com.
What to bring and what to confirm before leaving
The city government's official notice does not publish a list of required documents, clothing, equipment or materials. It also does not detail accessible parking, accessible restrooms, transfer assistance, communication resources, companion arrangements or other specific accommodations.
As practical guidance, not as an official event requirement, it is reasonable to bring identification, water, comfortable clothing for physical activity and any personal item related to mobility, communication, medication or individual support. For specific accessibility needs, participants should confirm in advance with CIDEP which resources will be available during the event.
Why the Festival uses a recreational format
The Paralympic Festival was created to expand children's and young people's first contact with Paralympic sport. Instead of requiring previous experience or competitive performance, the program focuses on trying activities in an inclusive environment. CIDEP, which is hosting the Poços event, works with sports initiation, training and development for people with disabilities.
For families or participants deciding whether to attend, the essential information is straightforward: the Poços activity is scheduled for September 19, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., at CIDEP, for ages 7 to 23, with priority for people with disabilities. Anyone who did not complete registration or needs specific support should confirm their situation directly with the organizers before leaving home.
