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World Games

A crowd of spectators watching fireworks go off above them in an arena.
Since the first Special Olympics International Games in 1968, the world has transcended the boundaries of geography, nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, culture and religion to come together every two years for the Special Olympics World Games. Alternating between summer and winter, the World Games have become the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement and have grown to be an international demonstration of inclusion, acceptance and unity.

All around the world our athletes train and strive to achieve their very best every day. During World Games, the entire Special Olympics movement comes together to see our athletes in action and celebrate their victories over huge odds. No other event in the world has the social and emotional impact of the Special Olympics World Games. For the athletes and their families, the experience opens doors to unimagined possibilities. For volunteers, coaches and other supporters from all parts of the world, the Games inspire hope for and belief in a brighter future of global acceptance, understanding and unity.

Upcoming World Games

World Winter Games Turin 2025

8 – 15 March 2025
Italy has been selected as the host of the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

World Games Santiago 2027

Santiago, Chile will host the 2027 Special Olympics World Games, marking the first time in the organization’s 55-year history that a World Games will take place in the Southern Hemisphere.

World Winter Games Switzerland 2029

6 – 17 March 2029
Graubunden, Chur, Arosa, Lenzerheide and Zurich, Switzerland
History of the Games
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1993 - Salzburg & Schladming, Austria

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1991 - Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota

1989 World Games Promo

1989 - Lake Tahoe, Nevada

1987 World Games Promo

1987 - South Bend, Indiana

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1985 - Park City, Utah

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1983 - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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1981 - Stowe, Vermont

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1979 - Brockport, New York

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1977 - Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Eunice Kennedy Shriver standing next to athlete.

1975 - Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Eunice Kennedy Shriver standing with athletes.

1972 - Los Angeles, California

1970 World Games Runner

1970 - Chicago, Illinois

Female athlete on the pitch kicking the ball while the opposing team surrounds her.

Unified Cup

The Special Olympics Unified Cup is a football (soccer) competition that is elite in every way. High profile, high quality and high impact—the Unified Cup shatters preconceived attitudes about the potential of athletes with intellectual disabilities, on and off the field of play.