Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) has today announced the full competition schedule for its 2026 National Summer Games - a nationwide celebration of inclusive sport that will give around 1,700 children and adults with an intellectual (learning) disability the chance to compete, belong and be seen on a national stage.

Staged for the first time since 2017, the new-look Games will take place across England, Scotland and Wales throughout the summer, culminating in a flagship seven-sport event in Birmingham from 26–30 August - set to be the largest gathering of Special Olympics GB athletes in almost a decade.

Laura Baxter MBE, Chief Executive of Special Olympics GB, said: “The National Summer Games are one of the most powerful platforms we have to show what people with intellectual disabilities can achieve when they are given the opportunity to train, compete and belong.

“Across Great Britain, too many people with intellectual disabilities still face isolation and low expectations. These Games challenge that by bringing athletes into the spotlight and onto some of the country’s most iconic sporting stages.

“After nine years without a National Summer Games, the 2026 Games will be a landmark moment for our movement - not just for the 1,700 athletes competing, but for everyone who believes in a more inclusive future for sport and society.”

The 2026 National Summer Games will combine:

  • a five-day multi-sport event in Birmingham featuring athletics, swimming, football, boccia, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and Motor Activity Training Programme (MATP)
  • eight single-sport National Games Competitions hosted in communities across Great Britain

This new hybrid format has been shaped through extensive consultation with athletes, coaches, volunteers and families to create more opportunities to compete and more visibility for athletes in their own communities.

For many competitors, the Games represent far more than sport: they are a rare opportunity to perform in world-class venues, build confidence, form friendships and demonstrate what people with intellectual disabilities can achieve when given the chance.

“Having competed as a Special Olympics GB athlete for nearly 30 years, the National Summer Games has given me some of my best memories,” said Katie Day, Special Olympics City of Birmingham athlete and former Chair of the Athlete Leadership Team.

“Special Olympics GB competitions are more than just the sport - it’s a community where everyone with an intellectual disability can shine, and the National Summer Games is the best example of this. Athletes travel from across the country to compete, make friends and cheer on everyone who’s giving their best.

“I’m so proud that my home city of Birmingham is hosting this year’s National Summer Games. We’ve got some of the best sports facilities in Great Britain and I know that us Brummies will be great hosts to the many athletes, volunteers and families who are staying in the city. Bring it on.”

The Birmingham event will be delivered across two campuses; the world-renowned Alexander Stadium, which hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games, will host the athletics competition, with its neighbouring GMAC hosting an MATP challenge event and both gymnastics disciplines, and football staged and High-Performance Centre. The swimming and boccia competitions will be staged at Wyndley Leisure Centre.

Special Olympics GB’s National Summer Games gets underway on 3 May with the National Cycling Competition, staged at Wyke Community Sports Village in Bradford. From there, seven further National Championships will take place in venues in England, Scotland and Wales ahead of the Games in Birmingham at the end of August.

Special Olympics GB National Summer Games Schedule

  • Cycling – 2-3 May, Bradford
  • Badminton – 13-14 June, Nottingham
  • Table Tennis – 27-28 June, Crewe
  • Indoor Bowls – 10-12 July, Plymouth
  • Golf – 15-16 July, Glasgow
  • Tennis – 1-2 August, Wrexham
  • Basketball – 7-9 August, Manchester
  • National Summer Games – 26-30 August, Birmingham
  • Equestrian – TBC

 

Event Registration

Registration for Special Olympics GB’s National Summer Games is now open to accredited clubs, which can submit their athlete places for each sport. All event information and registration details is available to lead contacts of accredited Special Olympics GB clubs, here.

Make a difference by Volunteering

Delivery of the Special Olympics GB event will be underpinned by 500 volunteers, who will play essential roles, such as sport officiating, course marshals, spectator services, media assistants and more. Volunteer registration will open in the coming weeks, but to register your interest, please click here.

 

Champion inclusion through Partnership

Support from commercial partners will play a vital role in making the National Summer Games possible – from venues and equipment to volunteer training and athlete experience..

Special Olympics GB is inviting a small number of purpose-led brands to stand alongside its athletes and help create one of the most visible celebrations of inclusive sport in Great Britain.

To find out more about partnership opportunities, please contact Alison Tarry, Director of Development: alison.tarry@sogb.org.uk