University of Minnesota to Host 2026 Special Olympics

Minnesota has won the bid to host the 2026 Special Olympics USA games. The games will showcase 4,000 athletes from all 50 states, plus parts of Canada and the Caribbean, promoting inclusion and competition through sport. The games will be hosted at the University of Minnesota and additional venues in the Twin Cities area.  “We are thrilled to welcome the Special Olympics athletes and their families to our world-class University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in June of 2026,” said President Joan Gabel, Honorary Co-Chair for the 2026 USA Games. “Our university shares the same goals of the Games in transforming lives through inclusion and celebrating each person’s greatest ability.”