SPECIAL OLYMPICS PENNSYLVANIA AND VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY TO HOST 37TH ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL, NOV. 7 – 9
Over 1,000 athletes will compete during one of the largest Special Olympics Pennsylvania competitions of the year.
(Norristown, PA, October 28, 2025) – Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s (SOPA) Fall Festival, presented by CSL, will take place at Villanova University for the 37th year from November 7-9, 2025. This year, the event theme is “Let Your Passions Unleash, Create Your Masterpiece!” and will welcome more than 1,700 coaches, athletes and Unified Partners representing 43 county programs from across the state. Participants will compete in bocce, long distance running/walking, powerlifting, soccer, volleyball and flag football. For more information and event details/schedule, follow this link.
More than 3, 500 volunteers from the Villanova student body and the surrounding community are expected to participate in the event this year, serving in numerous capacities including officials, athlete escorts, and award presenters.
This year’s competition will also serve as a tune up for more than 40 Special Olympics Pennsylvania athletes and coaches who will be representing Pennsylvania at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota. Special Olympics Pennsylvania will proudly be represented by 91 athletes and Unified partners and 25 coaches in 11 sports at the national games.
The full weekend begins with the thrill of the Fall Festival Torch Run, a 28-mile non-competitive run consisting of 18 segments from to Villanova University on Friday, November 7, 2025. Hundreds of runners representing law enforcement officers, athletes, elected officials, schools and businesses will transport the Flame of Hope to campus in order to signal the official opening of the Games. The Run begins at 9:30 a.m. and concludes its journey to campus at approximately 3 p.m.
The Fall Festival Opening Ceremonies will kick off at 7:00 p.m. at Villanova’s William B. Finneran Pavilion and will feature performances and guest speakers. Live entertainment and special guests will include the Villanova Cheer Spirit Line, Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s CEO, Matt Aaron, and much more. Opening Ceremonies will conclude with the lighting of the Olympic Torch to signify the official start of the Games.
Throughout the weekend, athletes will be able to receive Healthy Athlete screenings, which include FUNFitness (physical therapy), Healthy Hearing (audiology), Health Promotion (better health and wellness), Opening Eyes (vision),, Special Smiles (dentistry) and Fit Feet (podiatry).
This year, Allegheny Health Network's Chill Room will be available at Healthy Athletes, where athletes and coaches will have the opportunity to practice mindfulness and learn coping skills. The Chill Room is available to help participants prepare for their next event or relax in a quiet space."
Fall Festival will also include an “Olympic Town” providing athlete activities in-between sporting events; a Victory Jamboree; and Closing Ceremonies. Attached here is a link to the 2024 Fall Festival photos.
The 2025 Fall Festival major event sponsors include: Presenting sponsor: CSL Behring; Platinum Sponsors: Wells Fargo, PHLY Insurance, Kessler Topaz Meltzer and Check, and NJM Insurance; State Premier partners: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Aramark, Wawa, Abound Health, Dicks Sporting Goods, Knights of Columbus, PA Able, Law Enforcement Torch Run, and more.
Media Contacts:
Hailey Euston, SOPA,
About Special Olympics Pennsylvania
Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round training and competition in 21 Olympic-type sports to more than 15,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities. For more information about how you can join “The Inclusion Revolution,” visit www.specialolympicspa.org
About Villanova University
Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges – the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, and The College of Professional Studies. Click here for more information on Villanova University.
###