Vienna is preparing for the Special Olympics 2026: Be there!

Vienna is preparing for the Special Olympics 2026: Be there!

The anticipation for the 9th National Special Olympics Summer Games in Vienna is increasing. From June 25th to 30th, 2026, around 1,800 sports-loving athletes with intellectual disabilities from all federal states will compete in the federal capital. Not only the participants are looking forward to this sporting event, which will keep the “flame of hope” high for five days, but also many helping hands who would like to take part in these games.

In total, more than 800 volunteers and 600 trainers are needed to make the games run smoothly. Registration for interested volunteers is already underway and the possible applications are diverse. This includes organizing competitions, coaching tasks, reporting or even supporting opening and closing ceremonies. Anyone interested can find out about all of these options on the Special Olympics 2026 website, where further registration details are also available. You can find all the information you need at wien.gv.at.

Sports and venues

The athletes will compete in a total of 17 sports, including disciplines such as boccia, table tennis and swimming. The competitions take place at various locations in Vienna, including:

• Neue Sport Arena Wien: Boccia, MATP, Powerlifting, Tischtennis
• Kugeltanz: Bowling
• ASKÖ Reitsportzentrum Freudenau: Reiten
• Golf Club Wien: Golf
• Postsportverein Wien: Tennis
• Alte Donau: Segeln
• Floridsdorfer Bad: Schwimmen
• Sporthalle Kagran: Basketball, Volleyball, Handball
• Kletterhalle Wien: Klettern
• Sportanlage Stadlau: Leichtathletik
• ÖFB Campus: Fußball

A colorful mix of sports and events will ensure a great atmosphere outside of the competition, which means there is something for every taste. The Special Olympics aim to not only focus on the athletes, but also to promote social interaction and live inclusion, as has already been made clear in a survey. According to the study “In the middle of it instead of just being there”, 62.5% of those surveyed with disabilities are active in sports, which shows how important sport and exercise are for everyone. Reporting on disability sports is becoming increasingly important and the Special Olympics are characterized by a positive media presence that other popular sports often do not receive.

Volunteering and Inclusion

Volunteer support plays a critical role in the success of the Games. The challenges faced by people with disabilities in sport are diverse and range from a lack of access to opportunities to a lack of time and money. It is therefore important that initiatives such as the Special Olympics ensure greater visibility and participation. The event aims to bring professionals and volunteers together to create a first-class experience for everyone involved. According to the survey results, which address the importance of inclusion in the world of sports, this is also taken into account.

Sport will be an important catalyst for change and integration. This is particularly underlined by the presence of event ambassadors such as Guido Burgstaller and Alexander Grünwald, who can build a bridge to the athletes with their stories and experiences. The city of Vienna is showing itself to be a pioneer in the area of ​​inclusion in sport and invites everyone to become part of this great event. Further information can be found at [meinkreis.at](https://www.meinbezirk.at/wien/c-sport/das- Werden-die-austragungsorte-in-wien-sein_a7648135).

A big event is upon us, and the anticipation of it is already palpable. Let's stand together for a strong signal of inclusion in sport!