Law Enforcement Torch Run

The torch begins its journey to Minneapolis at Soldier Field in Chicago, where the Eternal Flame of Hope monument resides, a testament to the first ever Special Olympics World Games in 1968.

The West Coast leg begins with a high-energy pep rally at Crypto.com Arena, where motivational speakers will prime the “Guardians of the Flame” for their journey. From the heart of downtown, runners will carry the torch through the city streets, culminating in a powerful ceremony at the historic Los Angeles Coliseum. This stop celebrates the enduring spirit of athletes and the community’s commitment to inclusion.

The journey continues in Sacramento as runners depart for the California State Capitol, where an evening ceremony honors the unity between law enforcement and Special Olympics athletes. The celebration transitions from the historic Capitol grounds to the diamond at Sutter Health Park. There, the day concludes on a high note with an athlete and officer throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a River Cats game.

The Seattle leg kicks off against the iconic backdrop of the Space Needle, where a ceremonial photo op captures the Flame of Hope’s arrival. Runners will then navigate the city’s scenic streets toward the vibrant Waterfront Park. The run concludes at Pier 58 with a seaside ceremony, celebrating the incredible resilience of our athletes amidst the stunning views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.

The Flame of Hope returns to its roots at the Wichita City Hall memorial, where the very first run sparked in 1981. Before the leg begins, runners will visit the Special Olympics Kansas Summer Games to cheer on competing athletes. This stop honors a 45-year legacy of inclusion, celebrating the enduring bond between law enforcement and the athletes as they journey toward the 2026 USA Games.

The Final Leg enters the heart of Dallas for a morning ceremony at Klyde Warren Park. Located in the vibrant downtown Arts District, this urban green space provides a stunning backdrop for the Flame of Hope. Following the ceremony, runners and supporters will spend the afternoon exploring the surrounding area, taking advantage of numerous photo opportunities throughout the city’s cultural center.

The Flame of Hope travels from the Georgia State Capitol to the global headquarters of The Coca-Cola Company, a proud partner of the 2026 USA Games. Following a celebratory ceremony and lunch hosted by the official pickleball sponsor, the afternoon features a city-wide tour. Runners will visit various iconic landmarks for photo opportunities, showcasing Atlanta’s vibrant spirit.

The Flame of Hope arrives in Nashville for a high-energy run down Broadway, the city’s iconic neon-lit heart. The journey leads to Bridgestone Arena for a celebratory ceremony, offering a vibrant preview of the athletic excellence coming to the region, as Nashville has been officially selected to host the 2034 Special Olympics USA Games.

The West and East Coast legs converge at MSP Airport, signaling the home stretch of its coast-to-coast Final Leg. From here, the torch begins its final week-long tour across Minnesota, destined for the Opening Ceremony on June 20.

The torch begins its journey to Minneapolis at Soldier Field in Chicago, where the Eternal Flame of Hope monument resides, a testament to the first ever Special Olympics World Games in 1968.

The East Coast leg launches with a vibrant start in Times Square, weaving through the iconic greenery of Central Park as the Flame of Hope heads south. The journey leads to Bryant Park for a high-energy ceremony celebrating the unity of athletes and officers. Following the festivities, brave participants will take the plunge in the “Plungester,” a mobile polar plunge unit, to raise awareness for the Games.

The Flame of Hope joins the celebration at The College of New Jersey for the Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games, where Jersey Mike’s CEO Peter Cancro will light the local cauldron to kickstart a weekend of inclusion.

The Flame of Hope cruises over Jenkinson’s Boardwalk before stopping at the original Mike’s Giant Submarine Shop, the 1956 birthplace of Jersey Mike’s, to honor our legendary co-presenting partner’s shared commitment to inclusion.

The Flame of Hope arrives in the birthplace of American democracy for a ceremony at Independence Hall. Standing where the Declaration of Independence was debated, athletes and officers will celebrate the timeless values of courage and equality. Throughout the day, the team will capture iconic moments across the city, from the historic Liberty Bell to a triumphant run up the legendary Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The East Coast leg arrives in Pennsylvania’s capital for a powerful ceremony at the Pennsylvania State Capitol. Set against the backdrop of one of the nation’s most beautiful statehouses, the Flame of Hope will be honored by local leaders and the law enforcement community.

The Flame of Hope concludes its Pennsylvania journey in Pittsburgh, starting with a morning of photo opportunities at the iconic Duquesne Incline, capturing stunning views of the city skyline. The team will then gather at the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial for a ceremony honoring the “Guardians of the Flame.” The festivities wrap up on a high note at PNC Park, where athletes and officers will be celebrated during a Pittsburgh Pirates game.

The penultimate East Coast leg stop brings the Flame of Hope to “The Land” for a high-energy stop that blends sports history with musical legacy. The team will visit the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, before a ceremony in Public Square honors Cleveland as the next official host of the USA Games in 2030, marking the next major chapter for the inclusion movement after Minnesota 2026.

The East Coast leg draws to a close in Detroit, starting with a morning dedicated to capturing the city’s industrial and artistic spirit through photo opportunities at various local landmarks. The celebration then moves to Tin Roof, located in the heart of the entertainment district across from Comerica Park, for a high-energy ceremony. This stop brings together supporters and law enforcement to honor the Flame of Hope before it heads toward the historic convergence in Minnesota.

The West and East Coast legs converge at MSP Airport, signaling the home stretch of its coast-to-coast Final Leg. From here, the torch begins its final week-long tour across Minnesota, destined for the Opening Ceremony on June 20.

The Minnesota tour officially kicks off in Duluth, where the Flame of Hope begins its journey at the US Coast Guard Station. The torch winds through the city for a community ceremony at Duluth City Hall, bringing together local leaders and supporters before finishing a spectacular first day of the state leg at Bayfront Festival Park overlooking Lake Superior.

The journey continues into the Iron Range, honoring Minnesota’s rich industrial heritage at the Hull-Rust-Mahoning Open Pit Mine. After showcasing the scale of the state’s iron mining history, the Flame of Hope travels to the Hibbing Memorial Arena for a community ceremony and concludes this meaningful segment at Lincoln Elementary School.

The Flame of Hope powers through Brainerd, starting the second leg of the day at Planet Fitness. The community will gather for a celebratory ceremony at Lyman White Park, sharing in the excitement of the mission before the torch continues its journey from Brainerd High School to its final destination for the evening.

The Wednesday journey concludes in Alexandria, beginning at Alexandria Technical & Community College. From there, the torch makes its way to Big Ole Park for a ceremony at the foot of the city’s iconic Viking statue. The day officially wraps up at the Alexandria Police Department, where the Flame is hosted by the law enforcement community.

The morning begins at the Watertown Fire Hall, passing the historic Crow River settlement site before a vibrant ceremony at Watertown-Mayer High School. As a proud Unified Champion School, the students and athletes exemplify the inclusive spirit of the Games before the torch concludes this leg at the Community Learning Center.

The Final Leg continues through the heart of Rochester, starting at Central Park and moving toward an afternoon ceremony at the Minnesota Peace Officers’ Memorial at Soldier’s Field Park. This stop honors the intersection of service and sport, gathering the community to celebrate the athletes’ journey before finishing the segment at Rochester Public Schools.

The Final Leg travels through scenic Red Wing, starting at the Tipi Monument at Baypoint Park. After passing the historic 1875 St. James Hotel, the Flame of Hope arrives at the Central Park Bandshell for a community celebration before moving toward the final stretch toward the Goodhue County Justice Center.

The day concludes with a grand entrance at the Mall of America. Beginning just blocks away, the torch arrives through the North Entrance for a spectacular ceremony in the Huntington Bank Rotunda. This high-energy stop brings the mission of the USA Games to the heart of Minnesota’s most iconic landmark before the Flame of Hope completes its journey for the evening.

The morning kicks off in the historic “birthplace of Minnesota” at the Washington County Historic Courthouse. The Flame of Hope winds through the charming downtown streets before arriving at Lowell Park for a ceremony at the Gazebo. Set against the iconic backdrop of the Stillwater Lift Bridge, this stop celebrates the spirit of the Games at the water’s edge.

The penultimate day of the Final Leg finishes in the state capital of Saint Paul, beginning at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center. The journey leads to a high-energy ceremony at CHS Field, home of the St. Paul Saints, where the community will rally in the stadium to cheer on the athletes and officers. The day’s segment concludes at the Union Depot light rail platform, readying the torch for its final tracks toward Minneapolis.

The morning of the Opening Ceremony kicks off at the National Sports Center, a massive hub of the 2026 USA Games hosting five different sports. The Flame of Hope travels to Tom Ryan Park for a community celebration, honoring the local volunteers and athletes before concluding this leg at the Blaine Police Department.

The historic coast-to-coast Final Leg reaches its emotional conclusion in Minneapolis. Starting at Loring Park, the torch winds through the city for a final downtown ceremony at the Hennepin County Government Center. From there, the Flame makes its way to Huntington Bank Stadium, where it will enter the Opening Ceremony to ignite the cauldron and officially begin the 2026 USA Games.