Special Olympics athletes and others gathered for a logo reveal ahead of the 2026 USA Games, which will begin Saturday in Minneapolis. (Special Olympics)
For the first time in years, thousands of athletes with disabilities are preparing to come together from across the country for a week of competition and much of it will be broadcast.
The Special Olympics USA Games kick off Saturday in Minneapolis.
The event will feature more than 3,000 athletes ranging in age from 14 to 78 from all 50 states who will participate in Olympic-style competition in 16 different sports.
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In addition to staples like basketball, bowling, gymnastics, swimming and powerlifting, this year’s games will for the first time include pickleball and cornhole. Some events will involve only athletes with intellectual disabilities while others will be unified meaning that individuals with and without disabilities will compete on the same team together.
ESPN will live stream much of the competition on ESPN+ complete with commentary, analysis and play-by-play reporting. Coverage will begin with the opening ceremony Saturday at 7:30 p.m. featuring performances by Grammy winner Jon Batiste and musician and actor Demi Lovato.
ABC will air a special preview of the games June 21 at noon ET as well as a review show with highlights from the competition July 25 at noon ET.
The USA games, which occur every four years, were last held in Orlando, Fla. in 2022. The next iteration of the national event is expected to be held in Cleveland in 2030.
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