Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony is a thrilling celebration that will officially kick off the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. This hallmark event is a time for athletes to celebrate their participation in the USA Games with their delegations and families, as well as volunteers, honored guests, and fans. Held at Huntington Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota, the Opening Ceremony programming will include the Parade of Athletes, honoring all 52 delegations, as well as the lighting of the 2026 USA Games’ unique cauldron—the culmination of the historic Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg—signifying the official start of the Games. Following the lighting of the cauldron, the event will feature live musical performances and showcases of Minnesota’s rich heritage.

Expect some of the following highlights at Opening Ceremony:

• Pre-Show: Before the ceremony, we will put on a Pre-Show to get everyone pumped up and ready for the athletes’ grand entrance.
• Parade of Athletes: Feel the roar of the stadium as all 52 delegations take the floor to be honored by fans and families, culminating in a massive homecoming welcome for Team Minnesota as the host delegation enters last.
• “Calling All Champions” Creative Segment: Experience an awe-inspiring, inclusive performance featuring local artists that bridges the 35-year legacy of the 1991 World Games with the vibrant spirit of today, uniting our history and our future in one spectacular show.
• Lighting of the Cauldron: Witness the emotional conclusion of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg as the Flame of Hope enters the stadium and is passed to an athlete to light the one-of-a-kind Minnesota cauldron, officially signaling the start of the Games.
• Surprise Headline Performance: Stay tuned for the reveal of a major musical guest who will take the stage for a show-stopping finale, bringing the entire stadium to its feet to celebrate the start of an unforgettable week with a bang.

Join thousands of fans and families as we ignite the spirit of the Games and cheer on the country’s most inspiring champions. Experience Opening Ceremony live at the stadium!