Press Releases

The 16 teams—comprising around 200 players—from across the globe that will compete in the first edition of the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup in Katowice, Poland from 5 to 8 October 2025 have been announced today.

[Chicago, Illinois, USA - July 18, 2025] United announced today that it will expand the industry’s only Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA) program to the airline’s hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Newark. The goal is to welcome 10 more people into the program and reach a total of 28 SOSA employees across all seven of its U.S. hubs, furthering its effort to create employment opportunities for people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

[July 14, 2025] Two global, inclusive sport leaders team up to strengthen Unified Sports coaching and increase access to sport

[Washington, DC, USA – 14 July 2025] The international Board of Directors of Special Olympics is pleased to announce the appointment of David Evangelista as the global movement’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 January 2026.

[Washington, DC, USA – June 23, 2025] Special Olympics International and Bank of America (BofA) announce a $5 million grant expanding programs that help empower athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to serve as leaders in their communities, seek competitive employment, and realize their full potential.

[Europe - 16 May 2025] Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (SOEE), a regional office of Special Olympics, Inc. (Special Olympics) has announced the start of the 25th edition of European Football Week (EFW 2025), to be celebrated from 17 to 24 May 2025 across 45+ nations in SOEE.

[Washington, D.C. – 5 May 2025] The international Board of Directors for Special Olympics elected new members Mrs. JoAnne Bessler, Mr. Mark McCorkle, and Mr. Toby Enqvist.

[San Juan, Puerto Rico - 10 April 2025] Special Olympics International (SOI) announced today that San Juan, Puerto Rico, will be the host site for the very first Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup, marking the first time in the 56-year history of the global sporting movement that a Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup will take place.

[Berlin, Germany - 3 April 2025] – The Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education today announced the launch of its comprehensive research roadmap, “A Global Research Agenda for Building Inclusive Learning Environments.”

[Turin, Italy - 14 March 2025] Toyota Motor Europe, Presenting Sponsor and Mobility Partner of World Winter Games Turin 2025, congratulates all Special Olympics athletes on their determination and sportsmanship.

[Turin, Italy, March 20, 2025] Atos, a global leader in digital transformation and the key Technology Partner of Special Olympics International for the World Winter Games Turin 2025, today announces it has delivered the critical IT services that helped make the games a success

[Turin, Italy, 12 March 2025] An unforgettable celebration of inclusion and joy united 2,000 children across Italy through Young Athletes, an early childhood play program.