What happens when thousands of athletes are finally given a stage built for them, not as an exception, but as the standard?
In June 2026, the Special Olympics USA Games will answer that question in the most powerful way possible.
Held every four years, the USA Games bring together athletes from every state to compete, connect, and remind us all that inclusion isn’t an add-on, it’s the foundation.
While Special Olympics competitions take place year-round in communities across the country, the USA Games are different. Held just once every four years, they represent a rare national stage, one that many athletes train for years to enter.
With less than six months to go, the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games are quickly approaching, marking the largest and most inclusive sporting event in the United States. More than a competition, the Games are a national celebration of ability, belonging, and what becomes possible when people are supported to show up fully as themselves.
Excellence isn’t exclusive.
For many of us, Special Olympics is already woven into the fabric of our communities, through school partnerships, local leagues, health clinics, and year-round competitions. Special Olympics Florida alone serves more than 76,000 athletes, offering opportunities in 19 sports ranging from basketball and soccer to swimming, athletics (track and field), and even horseback riding.
But the movement didn’t start in stadiums.
Before it was a global organization, Special Olympics began as Camp Shriver, a simple backyard summer camp created for children with intellectual disabilities who were excluded from traditional recreational programs. That small, joyful gathering sparked something much bigger. Over time, it grew into an international movement rooted in dignity, connection, and the belief that everyone deserves a place to belong. Like the original Camp Shriver, Special Olympics continues to meet a critical need: spaces where people are welcomed, challenged, and celebrated for exactly who they are.
The USA Games take that spirit and amplify it on a national stage.
In 2026, the Games will come to life in the Twin Cities, welcoming athletes, coaches, volunteers, families, and fans from across the country. For one unforgettable week, the region will become a living example of what inclusion looks like in action.
How the USA Games Work
Special Olympics operates through state-based programs that offer local and statewide competitions for athletes ages 8 and up. To qualify for the USA Games, athletes must be at least 16 years old and earn their place by competing and placing at a qualifying statewide competition during 2024 or 2025.
For many athletes, this moment has been years in the making.
Some train individually in sports like swimming, bowling, or athletics. Others compete as part of teams in soccer, basketball, volleyball, or even cornhole. Across every discipline, what stands out is not just performance, but perseverance, commitment, and sportsmanship.
This is what happens when talent is met with access.
Team competitions may be traditional, made up entirely of athletes with intellectual disabilities, or Unified—a model that brings together athletes with and without disabilities on the same team. Unified sports are central to the Special Olympics mission, moving beyond separation and toward genuine connection. These teams show what inclusion looks like when people compete with one another, not apart.
The USA Games officially begin with the Opening Ceremony on June 20, 2026. After a day of practice and preparation, the competition runs for five days, concluding with a Closing Ceremony on June 26, a powerful send-off for athletes who have earned their place on this national stage.
How (and Where) to Watch
Since 2013, ESPN has served as the Official Broadcaster of the Special Olympics USA Games and will once again bring the action to audiences nationwide. While the full broadcast schedule has not yet been released, past Games have included nightly highlight recaps as well as live streams of competitions such as athletics, tennis, and powerlifting.
Fans can also follow along through the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games YouTube channel, which features highlights, athlete stories, and behind-the-scenes moments from previous Games.
Whether you’re watching from home or sharing clips with friends and family, tuning in is one of the easiest ways to support the athletes and help amplify inclusive sports on a national scale.
Want to Get Involved?
There are countless ways to be part of the Special Olympics movement—as an athlete, volunteer, coach, partner, or supporter.
You can learn more about Special Olympics in your own area using this interactive map. From local practices to national competition, there’s a place for everyone in this community.
The road to the 2026 USA Games is already underway—and it’s paved with courage, connection, and joy.
