About Special Olympics USA and World Games
Alternating between summer and winter, the Special Olympics World Games are among the world's largest sporting events, drawing as many, if not more, athletes than the Olympics.
Every two years since 1968, athletes from all nations have gathered to celebrate sport and showcase the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. This prominent event brings attention to the Special Olympics movement and helps create positive - sometimes lifesaving - policy change for people with intellectual disabilities in countries around the world.
In 2006, the first Special Olympics USA Games were held in Ames, Iowa as a way to showcase the talents of athletes from throughout the United States. The USA Games are now held every four years offering summer sports for thousands of athletes to participate in with their peers.
Upcoming Events
2026 Special Olympics USA Games
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will take place June 20-26, 2026, in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota. It will unite thousands of athletes and coaches from all 50 states for one unforgettable week of competition, camaraderie, and inclusion.
Members of Team Connecticut will once again join athletes on teams from across the nation to showcase their determination, sportsmanship, and skill - striving to experience personal bests, lifelong memories, and moments of pure joy on the national stage. The Games will feature 16 Olympic-style team and individual sports, including athletics (track & field), basketball, bocce, bowling, competitive cheer, cornhole, flag football, golf, gymnastics, pickleball, powerlifting, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball.
Set against the backdrop of Minnesota’s vibrant Twin Cities, the 2026 Games promise to be a powerful celebration of ability, teamwork, and unity - showing the world what’s possible when we all play as one.
Special Olympics Connecticut will send a delegation of 58 people to represent our great state to experience the Special Olympics movement on a national stage and join over 3,000 athletes and Unified partners, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers, and 75,000 fans from across the country. Learn more about the people who will compete as members of Team Connecticut and find out how to support their USA Games journey by clicking the button below.
Higher Level Competition Criteria
To be eligible to compete in a USA Games or World Games, an athlete or Unified partner must qualify under the guidelines of Article I, Section K: Criteria for Advancement to Higher Level of Competition in the Special Olympics Sports Rules Book, available on SpecialOlympics.org. As stated in Section K, No. 3.d.1, priority is given to first-place finishers from all divisions of the sport or event.
Prior to the selection process, Special Olympics Connecticut requests a quota for either the World or USA Games based on the sports offered at that competition, the number of athletes competing in those sports at SOCT events, and the rotation of sports over the years to provide broader opportunities. Quota numbers are also determined by budget.
Athletes interested in applying to participate in a World or USA Games must complete an Athlete/Partner Application Form to enter into a lottery system for selection to Team Connecticut. Tryouts are conducted for those interested in applying to participate in a team sport. They must have participated in their chosen sport during the year prior to the application and lottery process.