The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games hit Minnesota next week, bringing a national wave of athletes, coaches and volunteers into the Twin Cities for a weeklong celebration of inclusive sports. Competition runs from June 20 to 26, with events held at University of Minnesota facilities and venues around Minneapolis and St. Paul, capped by an Opening Ceremony at Huntington Bank Stadium. Organizers expect stadiums and fan zones across the metro to be packed, setting up a loud, citywide welcome for athletes representing every state.
When and where
According to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, competition is scheduled from June 20 to June 26, with the Opening Ceremony at Huntington Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus. The site notes that sporting venues across the Twin Cities, including the National Sports Center in Blaine, will host events throughout the week.
Star-powered Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony is leaning into star power. The program will feature live performances by Demi Lovato and Jon Batiste, along with a parade of athletes and the lighting of a one-of-a-kind cauldron. That entertainment lineup and the ceremony schedule were laid out in a release announcing the program and ticketing details, as reported by PR Newswire.
TV coverage and tickets
According to ESPN, the network will stream dozens of hours of live competition starting with the Opening Ceremony and will air dedicated preview and review specials on ABC. Minneapolis.org lists Opening Ceremony tickets at about $26 plus fees and notes that doors open in the late afternoon.
Scale and community impact
Special Olympics Minnesota says the Twin Cities are expected to host thousands of participants and fans, including as many as 4,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and up to 75,000 spectators. The organization and its partners say the Games will bring economic and civic energy to the region, and the "26 Weeks of Giving" campaign has already awarded grants to local groups preparing for the event, as detailed by Business Wire.
Voices on the ground
Local perspectives are part of the build-up. CBS News Minnesota reports that longtime volunteer and board member Amanda Brinkman and athlete Tyler Sarff will join WCCO Sunday Morning to preview the Games. Their appearances highlight organizers' focus on community involvement and athlete leadership heading into June 20.
How to attend or get involved
Volunteer registration, role listings and visitor information are available through the Games' official site, which manages sign-ups for everything from ticketed events to leadership volunteer roles. According to the 2026 USA Games, organizers say they still need thousands of volunteers and recommend that visitors check accessibility details and Fan Zone information before arriving.
