Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) has today launched a national consultation to explore the feasibility of hosting a National Summer sporting event in 2026.
Following on from the update to its network in November 2024, the consultation invites input from athletes, volunteers, coaches, family members, supporters, and wider stakeholders, to help shape the vision for a 2026 National Summer Games-type event.
As part of the planning process, the Special Olympics GB National Office and Board are reviewing the resources, capacity, and infrastructure required to deliver such an event. However, stakeholder feedback will be crucial in determining the structure, scale, and sports included in the competition.
"We are excited to take the first steps in developing a potential National Summer Games event, which could provide an incredible opportunity for our athletes to showcase the true power of sport,” said Laura Baxter MBE, Chief Executive of Special Olympics GB.
We want the event to cover multiple ability levels and be the leading domestic competition for people with intellectual disabilities in Great Britain. It can also support the qualification pathway, and the subsequent selection process, for the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2027 in Santiago, Chile.
“To ensure that we meet the needs of our athletes and deliver an unforgettable sporting experience, we seek as many contributions as possible from the Special Olympics GB family to help us shape the event. Please do click on the link and complete the survey."
Complete Survey
The consultation is now open to all stakeholders via an online survey. We encourage all members of the Special Olympics GB family to provide their feedback and support the development of this exciting event.
Please note that an additional survey has been shared with Main Contacts of Special Olympics GB Accredited Programmes to assess potential participation numbers and key sporting considerations.