Press Releases
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. Here's what's happening world wide.
Nashville Selected as Host of 2034 Special Olympics USA Games
[Nashville, TN, USA – 29 October 2025] Nashville will proudly serve as the host city for the 2034 Special Olympics USA Games. The bid committee and Special Olympics North America announced the selection and signed a letter of agreement during a ceremony at Bridgestone Arena.
4 Min Read
FIVB Supports Inaugural Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup in Poland
[Katowice, Poland – 14 October 2025] The first-ever Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup took place 5 – 8 October in Katowice, Poland. Sixteen international teams competed, with Slovakia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) taking the men’s/mixed and women’s crowns, respectively.
4 Min Read
Special Olympics and the Golisano Foundation Announce 2025 Global Golisano Health Leadership Award Honorees
[Rochester, NY, USA - 3 October 2025] Last night, Special Olympics and the Golisano Foundation proudly announced the seven recipients of the 2025 Global Golisano Health Leadership Awards, the highest honor given from Special Olympics Health.
4 Min Read
Cleveland Officially Awarded 2030 Special Olympics USA Games
[Cleveland, OH, USA – 24 September 2025] Cleveland has been officially declared the host city for the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games. The contract was signed today at a ceremony at Benesch Law in Key Tower, finalizing the agreement between leaders of the local 2030 Special Olympics USA Games Host Committee and Special Olympics North America.
3 Min Read
The Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity Pledges US$11m to Special Olympics International to Expand Inclusive Education Globally
[Abu Dhabi, UAE – September 25, 2025] The Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity has announced an US$11 million grant to the Abu Dhabi-based Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education to significantly expand its Unified Champion Schools (UCS) initiative, a transformative program that advances social inclusion for youth with and without intellectual disabilities.
3 Min Read
Athletes at Inaugural Special Olympics European Union Day to Champion Inclusion at the Heart of Europe
[Brussels, Belgium – 22 September 2025] Marking one of the highlight events of the 10th anniversary of European Week of Sport, the very first Special Olympics European Union (SO EU) Day will bring together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities, EU leaders, and citizens for two days of sport, dialogue, and action.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics and Badminton World Federation Mark Milestone with Global Impact Report
[Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - September 19, 2025] Special Olympics (SOI) and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) unveiled the Special Olympics Badminton Impact Report 2020–2024 today at a celebration held courtside during the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Badminton Competition in Bukit Kiara, Malaysia.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics Launches Global Health Report to Tackle Inequities faced by People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
[Washington, DC, USA – 17 September 2025] Special Olympics published a global report today sharing findings from Rosemary Collaboratory—a groundbreaking international initiative designed to advance health equity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across health systems worldwide.
4 Min Read
Special Olympics and UNHCR Sign Global Agreement to Champion Inclusion for Refugees of All Abilities
[Geneva, Switzerland – 10 September 2025] Special Olympics and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have signed a new global Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reaffirming their shared commitment to empower refugees of all abilities through the transformative power of sport.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics Puerto Rico Hosts Live Draw Ceremony for the Inaugural Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup
[San Juan, Puerto Rico – 4 September 2025] With just 92 days to go before the first tip-off at Distrito T-Mobile for the inaugural Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup, Special Olympics Puerto Rico today hosted the official Draw Ceremony for the Cup.
2 Min Read
Special Olympics and Topgolf’s Unified Fore Joy ProAm Fundraiser Returns for Second Year with Increased Support
[August 27, 2025] Special Olympics and modern golf entertainment leader Topgolf will play host to the largest inclusive golf tournament in the world during the Unified Fore Joy ProAm 1-7 September. Golf fans of all abilities will support and raise funds for Special Olympics programming at thirty participating Topgolf venues located in the United States.
2 Min Read
Enter the Special Olympics Toyota bZ Sweepstakes for a Chance to Win an All-Electric Vehicle and Empower Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities
[Washington, DC, USA - August 4, 2025] Special Olympics, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of the Special Olympics Toyota bZ Sweepstakes, an exciting opportunity for supporters across the United States to win a cutting-edge 2026 Toyota bZ All-Electric Vehicle while helping to create inclusive opportunities for Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities.
2 Min Read