Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony will take place on Monday, 19 October, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Margaret Court Arena, bringing together athletes, families, supporters and the wider community to celebrate the start of the 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games.
Directed by the acclaimed Creative Director Andrew Walsh AM, the ceremony will be a vibrant celebration featuring the Parade of Athletes and live entertainment hosted by renowned journalist and Nine News Sydney presented Peter Overton, a Special Olympics Australia Ambassador for 25 years.
Audiences can look forward to performances from DJ Cooper Smith, Eliza Hull OAM, BAM Arts Inc performers, breakthrough Victorian performing arts companies and the Victoria Police Pipe Band, creating an unforgettable atmosphere as the Games officially begin.
One of the ceremony's most anticipated moments will see athletes, officers and members of Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg team carry the Flame of Hope into the arena before lighting the cauldron, officially opening the National Games and signalling the start of competiton.
When
Monday, 19 October 2026
From 3pm - 5pm
Where
Margaret Court Arena
Melbourne Park
Tickets
This is a ticketed only event.
$25 (plus fees). Tickets avaliable through Ticketek.
Inside the Opening Ceremony
Andrew Walsh AM
Creative Director
Andrew Walsh AM is one of Australia’s most accomplished creative directors and event producers, with a distinguished career spanning major international sporting, cultural, and civic events. In 2011 he was part of the creative team for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens.
Peter Overton AM
Host
Peter Overton AM is an Australian television journalist and News Reader and has worked at the Nine Network for over 30 years. Currently, the Nine News Sydney anchor Peter is entering his 25th year as a Special Olympics Australia ambassador.
DJ Cooper Smith
Entertainment
Cooper Smith isn't just another name rising out of Melbourne's electronic scene - he's redefining what it means to be a modern DJ, producer and performer. With electrifying sets, relentless ambition and a message rooted in resilience and inclusivity, Cooper is fast becoming one of Australia's most exciting young artists.
Eliza Hull OAM
Entertainment
Eliza Hull is an acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter, performer and accessibility advocate, recongised for her powerful storytelling and captivatity live performances. Her recent single Running Underwater, first performanced on ABC's Q&A, reflects her lived experience with Charcot-Marie-Tooth and marks a new chapter in her evolving artistry.
BAM ARTS Inc
Entertainment
Melbourne's leading provider of inclusive performing and creative arts program for people with disabilities. BAM ARTS provides participants of all abilities, the opportunity to connect and ignite their creativity through dance, singing, music, drama, musical theatre, film-making, visual arts, live radio, costume design and prop creation.
Victoria Police Pipe Band
Entertainment
A long-standing symbol of tradition and community, the Victoria Police Pipe Band will perform at the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 National Games. Following their memorable performance at Special Olympics Australia's 50th Anniversary Luncheon at the MCG earlier this year, the band will help welcome athletes, families and supporters to the biggest celebration of inclusion through sport in Australia.
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