Special Olympics of New York State will bring 1,200 athletes and coaches from across the Empire State to Utica University campus this weekend, June 5-6 to compete in the 2026 state summer games.
“The State Summer Games are one of the most meaningful moments of the year for our athletes, and they are excited to be celebrating with a community that values inclusion as much as we do,” said Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman in a statement about hosting the games in Utica, a city known for celebrating diversity.
The city of Utica and Utica University distinguish themselves as hosts of what will be the largest statewide sporting event of the year featuring athletes with intellectual disabilities, according to a statement by Special Olympics New York, one of the largest state chapters of Special Olympics in the United States.
About 1,200 athletes and coaches from communities all over New York State will be welcomed to Oneida County with the Opening Ceremony, scheduled for June 5, at Gaetano Stadium, Utica University.
The athletes will compete in six sports: basketball, powerlifting, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
Utica University will serve as the hub for the games, staging the Opening Ceremony, competition-capping Victory Dance on June 6, 7 – 8:30 p.m., the “first-of-its-kind” Health Fest on Sat. Afternoon, and most of the sports competitions on their campus.
Additional venues include Adirondack Bank Center (powerlifting), Hamilton College (swimming), City of Utica (tennis) and Mohawk Valley Community College (volleyball).
2026 Special Olympics NY Summer Games includes first-time Health Fest
The Utica Games will also host “a first-of-its-kind” Health Fest event, inviting competing athletes – as well as prospective athletes in the community – to receive free health screenings in dentistry, audiology, physical therapy, optometry, general health and social/emotional health.
The event will take place June 6, from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Utica University’s Hutton Dome.
Public Schedule – 2026 Special Olympics NY Summer Games
All Special Olympics State Summer Games events are free to attend.
The full public schedule for the New York State games is as follows:
Friday, June 5
Opening Ceremony – 8 – 9 p.m. – Gaetano Stadium, Utica University, 1600 Burrstone Rd., Utica
NOTE: This event will be livestreamed on the Special Olympics New York Facebook page.
Saturday, June 6
Sports Competitions – 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (approximate):
Track & Field – Casamento Field, Utica University, 1600 Burrstone Rd., Utica Basketball – Hutton Dome & Clark Center, Utica University, 1600 Burrstone Rd., Utica Swimming – Hamilton College Pool, 198 College Hill Rd., Clinton Tennis – City of Utica Tennis Center, 210 Memorial Parkway, Utica Volleyball – Mohawk Valley Community College, 1101 Sherman Dr., Utica Powerlifting – Adirondack Bank Center, 400 Oriskany St. West, Utica
Note: Powerlifting will be streamed live on the Special Olympics New York YouTube page.
Health Fest – 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Hutton Dome, Utica University, 1600 Burrstone Rd., Utica
NOTE: This event is open to people with intellectual disabilities interested in joining as an athlete, as well as athletes in the Utica area who are not participating in State Summer Games.
Victory Dance – 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. – Hutton Dome, Utica University, 1600 Burrstone Rd., Utica
This event, which will conclude the Special Olympics New York 2026 Summer Games, hopes to convene competitors and the greater Utica community in a “celebration of inclusion.”
Sponsors, supporters, 2026 Special Olympics NY Summer Games
The 2026 State Summer Games are presented by Oneida County, with support from the following partners: Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Utica National Insurance, Chobani, Mohawk Valley Health Systems, Gallagher, NBT Bank, New York Elks Major Projects, Bank of Utica, Wellnow, UFCW, National Grid, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Perinton Ambulance, First Student, BBL Hospitality, Northwell, Federation of New York Insurance Professionals, Save of the Day Foundation, First Source Federal Credit Union, Ward Arcuri, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Jersey Mike’s, Wrap Kingz, and New Era Cap Foundation.
About Special Olympics New York
Special Olympics New York is one of the largest state chapters in the country, serving more than 51,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings.
The organization also partners with more than 375 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports, where students with and without disabilities compete as teammates.
All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. The organization has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, making it one of the most trusted charities in the business nationally. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org.
Hengsterman concluded her statement about the 2026 Summer Games to say, “We are incredibly grateful to Oneida County, the city of Utica and all three of the colleges and universities that will be opening their doors wide for our athletes, coaches and families. The 2026 State Summer Games is shaping up to be our best yet!”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica to host Special Olympics ’26 Summer Games this weekend
Reporting by Cara Dolan Berry, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
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