The Rio 2016 Goalball Test Event is scheduled to take place in the Future Arena on 4 and 5 May 2016.  This event is managed by Rio 2016 Organizing Committee and supported by the Brazilian Confederation of Sports for the Visually Impaired.   Host nation, Brazil, will challenge Finland, United States and Lithuania, the four best teams from the 2014 IBSA World Goalball Championships held in Espoo, Finland.  Teams will train on 4 May in the Future Arena, a temporary building constructed for Team Handball during the 2016 Olympic Games and Goalball for the 2016 Paralympic Games. 

The first match is scheduled to start on 4 May at 1600, Brazil Time Zone.  Teams will play a single round robin format and the best two teams will meet in the final.

The purpose of the test event is to validate numerous functional processes that range from coin toss procedures, to marching of teams prior to matches and ending with evaluation of medal ceremony protocol.  The test event will also test the competition operational team and venue acoustics. 

In addition to the test event competition, the draw for the Paralympic Games competition will be held.  IBSA President Jannie Hammershoi will join the draw, which takes place in the Future Arena on 4 May at 1100, Brazil time.  Rio 2016 is still working on the internet connection to be used to broadcast the draw.  Information regarding any broadcasting for the draw or test event competition will be provided when confirmed. 

The day following the test event,. Sweden and Turkey will join the four teams that participated in the test event to compete in a second competition, the Rio Open Men's Goalball Tournament.  This tournament will provide these six teams an opportunity to evaluate travel and local playing conditions while measuring their performance against teams they will encounter during the Paralympic Games.  

This will be a great opportunity for these teams as they continue their way to the Paralympic Games.