Franklin Graham Shares Hope in Ushuaia, Argentina
USHUAIA, Argentina – Thousands gathered in Ushuaia, Argentina, over the weekend for the Esperanza Ushuaia Festival, an evangelistic event led by Rev. Franklin Graham. The festival, held February 14th and 15th, 2026, at the Microestadio José Cochocho Vargas, drew large crowds to the southernmost city in the world, with attendees coming from across the region to hear a message of hope and faith.
A City Seeking Hope
Ushuaia, often referred to as the “city at the end of the world,” provided a unique backdrop for the outreach. Situated between the Andes Mountains and the Beagle Channel, the city serves as a gateway to Antarctica [1]. The event, years in the making, was initially planned for 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Franklin Graham explained that the desire to bring the Gospel to Ushuaia remained strong, finally coming to fruition after discussions with local pastors in late 2025 [1].
Years in the Making
The Esperanza Ushuaia Festival wasn’t a spontaneous decision. According to Franklin Graham, the outreach had been planned since 2020, with initial meetings held with local churches before the onset of the pandemic [1]. “I was planning to come to your beautiful city in 2020. God had placed it on my heart,” Graham stated during a press conference, as reported by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association [1].
Response to the Message
Hundreds responded to an invitation to accept Jesus Christ, marking what organizers are calling a significant spiritual moment for the community [1]. Rev. Graham encouraged attendees, stating, “If you don’t remember anything else tonight, remember this, God loves you!” [2]. He continued, emphasizing that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save people from their sins [2].
The Microestadio Cochocho was packed for two nights in a row, with an overflow area also full, and people gathered outside the arena to watch on a screen [2]. One attendee, Walter, shared that he had suffered from years of addiction and homelessness and felt compelled to repent and trust in Jesus [2].
Franklin Graham expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to preach in Ushuaia, stating, “It was such a privilege to preach the Gospel here at the southernmost city of the world!” [3]