The energy inside Huntington Bank Stadium was electric and unforgettable.
On June 20, the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games officially commenced with a spectacular Opening Ceremony at Huntington Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. Blessed with pitch-perfect weather, the event drew thousands of spectators, families, and supporters, blending athletic pageantry with premier entertainment to establish an inspiring atmosphere for the week ahead.
The evening began with a welcome from the host and master of ceremonies, ABC News correspondent and Twin Cities native Rebecca Jarvis, which led into the opening chant of “Calling All Champions.”
Following opening introductions, the Parade of Athletes ushered in over 3,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches from 52 delegations, who proudly marched in under their state’s banner. As they took their seats, their custom state uniforms created a mosaic of color across the stadium floor. Moving to high-energy music, the athletes danced and waved to families in the stands, with many stopping to smile for the stadium jumbotrons. Host Team Minnesota entered the stadium last, drawing a thundering hometown ovation from the local crowd.
The stadium screens played a video welcoming everyone to Minnesota and the 2026 USA Games, followed by Marlana VanHoose, a Kentucky native, performing a stirring rendition of the national anthem, accompanied by the Color Guard.
This was followed by an opening performance from special musical guest Demi Lovato, who took the stage for a powerful vocal set, including high-energy hits like “Sorry Not Sorry,” alongside a moving delivery of “Skyscraper,” a fitting song that focuses on themes of resilience, inner strength, and overcoming adversity. On the floor below, athletes locked arms and sang along with Lovato in a touching display of unity.
Key Special Olympics organizational leaders then took the stage to deliver their opening addresses and highlight the true purpose behind the Games. Christy Sovereign, Chief Executive Officer for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, welcomed the crowd and addressed the delegations. Sovereign, an executive on loan from the Twin Cities-based Accenture, spoke of her deeply personal connection to Special Olympics, having grown up alongside her sister Katie, a distinguished Special Olympics athlete and Global Messenger.
In her address, Sovereign spoke on the strength of community alliances, stating that success happens when citizens, corporate sponsors, and local leaders unite to advocate for inclusion and equal opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics International Chairman Timothy Shriver then delivered his opening address, which included a historical and poignant video featuring clips of his mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who founded Special Olympics in 1968.
A customized performance titled “Calling All Champions,” with music by composer Jim Papoulis, honored the 35-year legacy of the 1991 World Games in Minnesota and featured storytelling through music and dance.
This segment concluded with the entrance of the Special Olympics USA flag and the recital of official oaths by coaches, officials, and athletes before the stadium audience.
The official opening of the Games was marked by the lighting of the cauldron with the Flame of Hope. Before its arrival, a video presentation tracked the cross-country journey of the Law Enforcement Torch Run through numerous cities and towns. The torch then made its live entrance onto the stadium floor for its final leg, where Special Olympics athletes used it to ignite the cauldron to formally launch the 2026 USA Games.
Oscar and multi-Grammy winner Jon Batiste served as the evening’s closing musical guest, delivering an upbeat, soulful performance centered on community. His set prompted the athletes on the floor to link arms and even start a conga line in a joyful celebration of solidarity.
The evening concluded with a final thank you and goodnight message before the athletes exited the stadium floor.
With the celebration complete, the focus now turns to the fields of competition. An estimated 100,000 visitors will travel to the Twin Cities this week as competitions begin Monday across 16 sports, split between the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine. Fans can watch 48 hours of live streaming coverage on Disney+ and ESPN+, and for those wishing to attend the competition in person, all events remain free and open to the public.