The countdown is officially on.
Today marks 100 days until the 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games, with athletes, families, volunteers and supporters across the country coming together to celebrate the milestone in true Special Olympics style.
This weekend, brave participants will take the plunge at a series of Polar Plunge events in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Cronulla, helping raise funds and awareness as excitement builds towards Australia’s largest sporting event for people with intellectual disability and autism.
The National Games will bring more than 900 athletes from across the country to Melbourne from 19-23 October, creating a week of competition, friendship and unforgettable moments.
Special Olympics Australia CEO Jamie O’Connor said reaching the 100-day milestone was an opportunity to celebrate the athletes at the heart of the Games.
“With 100 days to go, you can feel the excitement building right across the country. Our athletes have been training hard, setting goals and now the countdown is truly on,” O’Connor said.
“The National Games are about more than sport. They are about joy, friendship and belonging. They bring people together and showcase what inclusion through sport can achieve.
“As we celebrate 100 days to go, we’re inviting all Australians to be part of the journey. Whether you’re taking the plunge this weekend or at regional events throughout July and August, cheering from the sidelines or joining us in Melbourne, there’s a place for everyone in the National Games.”
Adding to the excitement, tickets for the National Games Opening Ceremony are now on sale.
The Opening Ceremony, to be held at Margaret Court Arena on Monday 19 October, will officially launch the Games and showcase the energy and spirit of the Special Olympics movement, welcoming athletes from every state and territory to Melbourne.
With just 100 days remaining, the road to Melbourne is well and truly underway.
The 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games are proudly supported by the Significant Sporting Events Program and the Victorian Government’s Community Support Fund.
