Volleyball

First established as a Special Olympics sport at the 1983 World Games in Baton Rouge, LA, volleyball has evolved into a Special Olympics mainstay. In 1995, the year of the 100th anniversary of the sport of volleyball, the Volleyball Hall of Fame honored Special Olympics International by including the organization on the Court of Honor for significant contributions to the sport. In the United States alone, over 45,000 athletes and Unified partners train and compete each year, and at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, we will host traditional and Unified 6v6 competitions.

How It’s Played:
Volleyball is a fast-paced team sport that requires skill, coordination, and teamwork. Played on a rectangular court divided by a net, the game features two teams of six players each aiming to send the ball over the net and land it on the opposing team’s court. At the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, athletes and Unified partners will compete in traditional and Unified team competitions. Each team is allowed up to three consecutive touches to return the ball, typically using a bump (forearm pass), set, and spike. A rally-scoring system is used, meaning points can be won on any serve. Sets are played to 25 points, requiring at least a two-point lead to win, and matches are typically best-of-three sets. Volleyball demands agility, strategy, and strong communication as players work together to control the ball and outmaneuver their opponents.