On 4 September 2026, Swedish sporting history will be made. The Special Olympics Sweden Invitational Games 2026 will be officially opened in Folkets Park, Malmö, marking the largest sporting event ever held in Sweden for people with intellectual disabilities.
Approximately 2,000 participants from 26 nations will come together to compete, connect and create memories that will last a lifetime.
The Opening Ceremony begins at 20:30 on 4 September and promises to be a vibrant celebration filled with music, community spirit and international friendship. The evening will open with the traditional Parade of Nations, where all participating delegations will march into the arena together.
Several memorable musical performances are scheduled throughout the ceremony. Pa Modou, together with Chelsea, will perform the official Games song, Celebration4Life, a tribute to inclusion, the joy of sport and the equal value of every individual. Visitors will also enjoy a live performance by Annika Wickihalder, whose music will help unite spectators, supporters and athletes in a truly magical opening night.
The Special Olympics Sweden Invitational Games are about much more than sport. The event showcases the power of inclusive sport and creates a meeting place where people from different countries and cultures can come together through a shared passion. For one memorable weekend, Malmö will become the centre of international para sport and a living example that sport is for everyone.
The Opening Ceremony and all competitions throughout the weekend are open to the public with free admission. Families, friends, Malmö residents and visitors from around the world are warmly invited to join the celebrations as the Games are officially declared open and more than 2,000 participants receive the welcome they deserve.
Over the course of the rest of the event, athletes will compete in 11 sports: table tennis, bowling, football, athletics, golf, handball, floorball, judo, swimming, powerlifting and tennis.
“This will be the beginning of a weekend filled with pride, joy and optimism for the future. Together, we celebrate the power of sport and create an unforgettable start to a historic sporting event. We are incredibly grateful to all our partners who make this possible. Together, we make a difference.”
Learn more about the Special Olympics Sweden Invitational Games 2026.
As well as powerful support from partners at national level, Special Olympics Sweden Invitational Games is generously supported by regional and global partners: Toyota Motor Europe, UPS and Lions Clubs International Foundation.
