The 2026 Special Olympics will feature 15 Olympic-style team and individual sports, as well as five demonstration sports. [10] Competitions were held in 24 sports. The relationship between ESPN and Special Olympics spans nearly three and a half decades and has been built on a bedrock of shared belief in the power of sports to positively impact lives and make lasting change in the world said Jimmy Pitaro, President of ESPN and co-Chair, Disney Media Networks. [3] Over 8,000 volunteers were needed to make this event run smoothly. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 1d ago. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will be held at the University of Minnesota, officials announced Friday. Since then, ESPN and Special Olympics have continued to raise the bar for coverage signature events at Special Olympics World Winter Games Austria 2017, 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, and Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. Erik Anderson, left, chats with Darrel Knauss at Huntington Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota following a news conference to announce that the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will take place in the Twin Cities. Minnesota has always been an epicenter for health and wellness, and that includes inclusive health for all Minnesotans. And the 2026 games will mark the largest sporting event in the United States. Think curling ice is nice and smooth? Unlike other sporting events, there is no charge to participate or attend a Special Olympics competition for the competitor . LA 2028 | Olympic Games. Special Olympics USA Games | Minneapolis MN - Facebook Tim Walz announced the news late Friday morning at the University of Minnesota, saying the 2026 games . The healthcare powerhouse, which includes UnitedHealthcare and Optum, has been a long-time supporter of Special Olympics Minnesota and is committed to helping people live healthier lives, increasing access to care and eradicating health disparities for all. Unleashing leadership potential in people of all abilities. "We are thrilled to welcome the Special Olympics athletes and their families to our world-class University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in June of 2026," U of M President Joan Gabel, honorary co-chair for the 2026 USA Games, said in a release. It is the only publication written and designed to serve the people who organize, manage and host sporting events of all types at all levels. EIN 46-0359776. The Olympic and Paralympic sport programs will be. In the past year alone, ESPN presented 40 short films showcasing our athletes, coaches, parents, and other game changers. Special Olympics South Dakota is a tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Learn more about hosing an international Special Olympics event. Through Special Olympics' athletic, health and leadership programs, people with intellectual disabilities transform themselves, their communities and the world. Team New Jersey, attended the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, comprised of 175 athletes, Unified partners, and coaches and competed at the highest level alongside more than 5,500 individuals from all 50 states and the Caribbean. Special Olympics USA EU Co-funded Inclusive Healthy Lifestyle Groups in Schools project kicks off with first transnational Consortium meeting. Christine Sovereign, senior managing director and Minneapolis office managing director of Accenture, will be the CEO of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, serving as a loaned executive from the company. A peaceful campaign to end discrimination of people with intellectual disabilities. Reels . The good thing about it is when you travel to Orlando or some place, you can only take a finite number of people with you, he said. Four potential candidates to replace Whalen as Gophers coach, Here are the 15 best chocolate chip cookies in the Twin Cities, Medcalf: Javier Zamora's 'Solito' is spring reading selection for anti-racism book club. The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games concluded after being held June 5-12, in Orlando, Florida.. No other event in the world has the social and emotional impact of the Special Olympics World Games. Get more information about Special . In addition to its programming agreement, ESPN will continue to be the Global Presenting Sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports, extending a role it has held since 2013. What's the story behind Minneapolis' smaller houses with huge front yards? Special Olympics World Games - Wikipedia Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization that empowers people with intellectual disabilities. We have a long history with Special Olympics and support the Games vision of inclusion. . Athletics. The news, analysis and community conversation found here is funded by donations from individuals. 415 Michigan . So the figure should be more like $7 million, said Sanderson, who does economic impact studies on big-ticket sports events. 2022 USA Games - Special Olympics Illinois Winter Games. 31 July 6 August 2022 in Detroit, MI USA. We all have reasons to shine. Good day to all our readers! The use of the sports complex is part of Disneys multi-faceted support of the Special Olympics movement, which also includes additional sponsorship and in-kind support for the USA Games, Presenting Partner for the Volunteer Program and ESPNs role as the Global Presenting Sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports. On behalf of the more than 350,000 employees from UnitedHealth Group, we are thrilled to be the presenting sponsor of the 2026 USA Games right here in our hometown, Thompson said. USA & World Games. WE ARE SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA. We are thrilled to welcome the Special Olympics athletes and their families to our world-class University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in June of 2026, said President Joan Gabel, Honorary Co-Chair for the 2026 USA Games. UnitedHealth Group is the presenting sponsor of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. The most recent Special Olympics USA Games were held in Orlando, FL from June 5-12, 2022. [18] The gold and bronzemedal games were played in Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton. Tim Walz and other state leaders announced that Minnesota will host. Competition & Games - Special Olympics Pennsylvania Phone: 612.333.0999. Increased Unified Sports athlete and teammate participation by 172% since 2013, to nearly 1,815,000 as of 2019 (Adding nearly 1.15 million participants in 6 years); Increased the number of Special Olympics Unified Sports coaches by 464%, to nearly 119,000 coaches (adding nearly 98,000 in 6 years); Increased overall global sponsorship revenue associated with Special Olympics Unified Sports by 300% in 6 years. LA 2028 Summer Olympics - Summer Olympic Games in the USA The Games will be comprised of 15 Olympic-type team and individual sports, as well as five demonstration sports. On behalf of the more than 340,000 employees from UnitedHealth Group, we are thrilled to be the presenting sponsor of the 2026 USA Games right here in our hometown, Thompson said. The event is expected to draw around 4,000 athletes and tens of thousands of fans,. Lincoln, Nebraska hosted the Games, July 1823. Governor Peggy Flannagan, Special Olympics Minnesota Unified Partner Darrel Knauss, Thousands of athletes, families and fans will attend the games in June 2026. USA Games | Special Olympics Ohio June 4-12 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Orlando 2022 THE 2022 SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES IS COMING TO FLORIDA FOR THE FIRST TIME! 2018 Special Olympics USA Games ESPN Recap Video - YouTube Minnesota has won a bid to host the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. MEDINA, Ohio Athletes from several Northeast Ohio counties laced up and got back in the game this weekend at the 38th annual Special Olympics Ohio Medina Invitational. June 2026! June 5-12, 2022, the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games will unite more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean and 125,000 spectators during one of the country's most cherished sporting events. We have a long history with Special Olympics and support the Games vision of inclusion. The games have, historically, generated more than $70 million of economic impact for the host city. Much like other large-scale sporting events, a competitive bid process was conducted to select a host site that has the infrastructure, resources and active community support needed to operate a successful Games. 900 2nd Ave S, Ste 300 Minneapolis, MN 55402. The sporting events were held primarily on the University of Washington campus and in various venues around the region. EIN #41-1228157 Joining Hjerpe on the Executive Board will be Dave Dorn, CEO of Special Olympics Minnesota and Wendy Williams Blackshaw, CEO of Minnesota Sports and Events. Special Olympics USA Games 2026 (host city TBD) Special Olympics World Games (host city TBD) Following ESPN's unprecedented coverage of Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015, ESPN signed on as the movement's Global Broadcast Partner. Thousands of athletes and fans will gather in the Twin Cities in June 2026 for the Special Olympics USA games, held every four years in the United States for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 1 teenager killed, another injured in shooting at Minneapolis home; mother arrested, New Minnesota dashboard, online sites hope to push down prescription drug prices, Brooklyn Park police are 'frustrated' with troubling pattern of vandalism suspect, Twin Cities newest food hall opens on Eat Street, Gov. Special Olympics Ohio had its largest USA Games Ohio delegation in history. The Special Olympics exists in every corner of the globe and has supported over five million athletes. Special Olympics USA Games Coming To Minnesota In Summer 2026 - MSN Home - Special Olympics Minnesota Under the new extension of its Global Presenting Sponsorship, ESPN and Special Olympics will: ESPN and The Walt Disney Company are proud of their nearly 35-year relationship with Special Olympics, together helping to move towards an end to discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. Bill Legalizes Assisted Suicide In Minnesota, Bill Would Bring Ranked-Choice Voting To MN State, Federal Elections, Snow In The Forecast For Twin Cities: MN Weather, T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week, Dad Builds Giant Snow Fort For His Kids In Eagan: Photos, Minnesota Lawmakers Propose Stricter Construction Worker Wage Theft Laws, Driver's Licenses For All, Voting Rights Restoration Bills Clear Final Hurdle; Walz Will Sign, DFL Pushes Legislation To Make Minnesota Criminal Justice System More Rehabilitative, Less Punitive. The games will include 15 Olympic-type team and individual sports as well as five demonstration sports competitions that are not typically held at the state level, such as stand-up paddleboard and cheerleading. Her friend and fellow Orono High School student athlete Jenna Perkins is honorary chair of the Twin Cities event. The first, quadrennial, USA National Games were held July 18, 2006, in Ames, Iowa. Special Olympics serves as the worlds largest sports organization empowering people with intellectual disabilities, and the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will mark the largest sporting event in the US that year. In a little less than one year - June 5-12, 2022 - more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states . The World Games are offered every two years on an alternating World Winter Games and World Summer Games basis. Through its storytelling, media platforms and grant-making, ESPN is building positive attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities and showing the world that the revolution is inclusion..