Melbourne is set to come alive with sport, celebration and inclusion as more than 900 athletes from across Australia descend on the city for the 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games from 19-23 October.
Bringing together athletes with intellectual disability and autism, alongside coaches, volunteers, families and supporters, the five-day event will be one of Australia’s largest celebrations of inclusion through sport.
The 2026 National Games coincide with the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics in Australia, marking five decades of creating opportunities for people with intellectual disability and/or autism to develop skills, build confidence, form friendships and experience the joy of belonging through sport.
Across five days of competition, athletes will take part in 13 sports including athletics, basketball, bocce, ten pin bowling, soccer, golf, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, table tennis, netball and equestrian, with DanceSport also featuring as a demonstration sport.
Competition will take place across some of Melbourne’s most iconic sporting venues, including Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Sandy Links and the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
The National Games represent the culmination of years of training and dedication for many athletes, while others will experience the excitement of competing on the national stage for the first time alongside teammates and friends from across the country.
The competition also offers athletes in eligible sports a pathway to qualify for selection to Team Australia for the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile.
Special Olympics Australia CEO Jamie O’Connor said the National Games were a significant opportunity for athletes to showcase the skills they have developed through years of training, compete alongside their peers and experience the pride of representing their state or territory.
“The National Games are about so much more than competition. They’re an opportunity for athletes to showcase their abilities, build confidence and connect with others, while providing a pathway for eligible athletes to qualify for next year’s World Games,” O’Connor said.
More than 850 volunteers and event officials will help bring the Games to life, supporting everything from competition and athlete engagement to event operations, while families and local communities come together to cheer on athletes.
Reflecting on the significance of the 50th anniversary, O’Connor said the National Games were also a chance to celebrate the legacy of Special Olympics Australia and look towards its future.
“Fifty years of Special Olympics in Australia is an incredible milestone, made possible by the athletes, coaches, volunteers, families and supporters who have built this movement. The National Games celebrate that legacy while looking ahead to creating more opportunities for people with intellectual disability and/or autism to participate, compete and belong,” O’Connor said.
Beyond the competition, the National Games aim to challenge perceptions about disability and demonstrate what is possible when everyone is given the opportunity to participate and thrive.
Australians can show their support by purchasing a Virtual Torch at donate.specialolympics.com.au and helping shine a light on inclusion through sport as Special Olympics Australia celebrates 50 years.
The 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games will be held in Melbourne from 19-23 October.
National Games Facts:
- When: 19 - 23 October 2026
- Where: Melbourne, Victoria
- Athletes: More than 900 athletes from every state and territory, plus four athletes from New Zealand
- Sports: 13, including athletics, basketball, bocce, ten pin bowling, soccer, golf, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, table tennis, netball, equestrian and DanceSport (demonstration)
- World Games pathway: National Games athletes can qualify for selection to Team Australia for the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile.
About Special Olympics Australia:
- Special Olympics Australia is a registered charity providing weekly sports training and regular competition for people with an intellectual disability and/or autism.
- 2026 marks a major milestone for Special Olympics Australia as the organisation celebrates 50 years of championing inclusion through sport.
- The anniversary year will culminate in the Special Olympics Australia National Games in Melbourne this October, where more than 900 athletes from across Australia will compete on the national stage.
