The stage is set, the stands are ready to rock, and the Twin Cities are about to welcome the nation.
MINNEAPOLIS — On Saturday, June 20, the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games officially bursts into life with a high-energy Opening Ceremony at the University of Minnesota’s Huntington Bank Stadium.
Welcoming nearly 3,000 dedicated athletes and 1,500 devoted coaches, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, to Minnesota, this event kicks off a week filled with competition, courage, and true sportsmanship. For fans and community members looking to experience the magic firsthand, the stadium gates open at 4:30 p.m., and the main ceremony officially begins at 6:30 p.m. General admission tickets are available online via the Official Gopher Sports Ticket Office for $26 plus fees. To ease the commute to and from the stadium, Twin Cities’ own Metro Transit is providing free ride passes specifically for those heading to the ceremony. The stadium is fully ADA-accessible to welcome all guests.
Arriving at the stadium when the gates open at 4:30 p.m. ensures you witness all the excitement the Opening Ceremony has to offer.
The cross-country relay of the Flame of Hope reaches its ceremonial destination by canoe, making its final approach by water. Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers from the Law Enforcement Torch Run paddle across the Mississippi River as those in the stadium watch the live action unfold on the big screens. This historic voyage serves as a unique nod to Minnesota as the home of the Great River’s headwaters.
In one of the most memorable moments of the evening, the Parade of Athletes, featuring all 52 competing delegations, marches across the stadium floor. Spectators unleash the loudest roar of the evening when host Team Minnesota enters the stadium last for a heartfelt homecoming welcome.
Following the parade, the stadium program transitions into a local creative performance titled “Calling All Champions.” This vibrant piece features local Minnesota artists and bridges the historic 35-year legacy of the 1991 Special Olympics World Games—which featured an iconic performance by Minnesota legend Prince—with the spirit of today’s competitors.
The celebration features standalone live sets from Oscar and multi-Grammy winner Jon Batiste and global pop icon Demi Lovato, with each artist delivering highly personalized signature moments.
Batiste, exemplifying his signature philosophy of shared connection, curates a soulful set specifically designed to bring the stadium together with the spirit of the Games. Lovato, a long-time advocate for being true to your individuality, performs a high-energy lineup of her biggest hits, including her anthem “Sorry Not Sorry.”
In official statements, Batiste expresses his eagerness to celebrate the power of inclusion and the indomitable spirit of the competitors, while Lovato shares it is her honor to celebrate athletes who embody strength and individuality every day.
To conclude the evening, the Flame of Hope lights the cauldron. Behind the scenes, the cauldron itself is funded in part by a special grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and is custom-designed by Twin Cities-based global entertainment producers BI WORLDWIDE to honor the state’s rich history and serve as the definitive monument to open the Games.
If you cannot make it to the stadium to cheer in person, you don’t have to miss a second of the festivities. The entire Opening Ceremony streams live nationally on ESPN+ and Disney+ starting at 6:30 p.m. CT (7:30 p.m. ET). ABC also broadcasts a dedicated Games Preview Show on Sunday, June 21, at 11:00 a.m. CT (12:00 p.m. ET) to recap the previous evening’s absolute best highlights.