Sports Offered
For 50 years, Special Olympics has used sports to fight for the rights and abilities of people with intellectual disability. Through the common and simple vehicle of sports, Special Olympics has helped bring about an attitude change in the way people with intellectual disability view themselves and are viewed and treated by others, replacing misunderstanding and fear with respect, acceptance and inclusion.
Training
Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) offers year-round sports training. Training is the essential element of Special Olympics. Our athletes are well-prepared physically and psychologically before they enter competitions by completing mandatory training prior to competing.
Cross-training has become increasingly popular among our athletes and coaches. Many of our athletes compete in a different sport every season -- an athlete who plays soccer in the fall often competes in speed skating in the winter and plays basketball in the summer. All training is offered free of charge to our athletes and their families.
Competition
Special Olympics competitions use a unique divisioning system based on age, gender, and ability. By assigning athletes to divisions commensurate with their ability, every athlete is given a reasonable chance to win.
Athletes compete in competitions at the local level and also have the opportunity to go on to sectional and state-level competitions. World Games take place every two years alternating between Summer and Winter Games.
In addition, SOPA offers Unified Sports®, which combines approximately equal numbers of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to form sports teams for training and competition. The Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) provides comprehensive motor activity and recreational training for people with severe intellectual disabilities or multiple disabilities.
Sports Guides, Rules and Information – provided by Special Olympics International.
Age Groups
Team Sport Age Groups will be effective starting with the Fall 2023 season. SOPA-sponsored Team Sports include - Fall Season: soccer, flag football, volleyball; Winter Season: floor hockey; Spring Season: softball, basketball.
If you have questions, please contact your Regional Sport Director.
Medication Information
Please find important information on athlete medication assistance & best practices below:
Fall Sports
2024 Fall Season Rollout
- Recording of the Meeting
- Note: We will offer Unified and Traditional Bocce Doubles
- Slide Deck from the Meeting
Bocce is one of Special Olympics' newer sports, having been introduced at the World Games level for the first time in 1995. Bocce is a Fall sport and training season is usually from July to November.
LDR and LDW Training Season is usually year-round with a culminating event at Fall Festival in November at Villanova University.
Powerlifting was introduced to Special Olympics in 1983. The training season is usually year round with a culminating event in November at Fall Festival - Villanova University.
Soccer (Football) was introduced to Special Olympics in 1979. Soccer events combine both team and individual skills competitions. Soccer is a fall sport and the training season is usually from August to November.
Volleyball was introduced to Special Olympics in 1983 and is a Fall Sport for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Volleyball events combine both team and individual skills competitions. Training Season is usually from August to November.Winter Sports
Bowling was introduced as a Special Olympics sport in 1975. Bowling is mainly fall and winter sport and training is usually from September to March.
2023-24 Bowling Preseason Coaches Meeting
Coaching Resources
Bowling Resources – rules, coaching guides, fact sheets, etc.
- Bowling - Lane Monitor Instructions
- Bowling - Score Monitor Instructions
Alpine skiing was first introduced as an Official Special Olympics Sport in 1977 at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The training season is usually from December to February.
Special Olympics Figure Skating was first included in the 1977 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The training season is usually from October to February.
Floor hockey was first introduced as a Special Olympics sport at the 1970 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Floor Hockey events combine both team and individual skills competitions. It is the only team sport among the Special Olympics Winter Sports. Floor Hockey training season is usually from November to March.
Special Olympics snowshoeing was inaugurated at the 1997 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Toronto, Canada. The training season is usually from December to February.
Speed Skating was first contested on an international level at the 1977 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The training season is usually from October to February.
Basketball was first contested in 1968 at the first Special Olympics Games in Chicago, Illinois. Basketball events combine both team and individual skills competitions. Basketball is a summer sport and training season is usually from January to June.
At the 1987 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Indianapolis, Indiana, 38 athletes competed in the equestrian sports competition; one year later equestrian was added as an official Special Olympics sport. The training season is usually year round with a culminating event at Summer Games in June at Penn State University.
Golf made its debut at the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. The training season is usually beginning in March and, in PA, culminates at Summer Games in June at Penn State University.
Special Olympics Gymnastics was first included in 1972 as an official sport in the Third International Special Olympics World Summer Games, when 11 athletes competed in tumbling and free exercise routines. Gymnastics Training Season is usually year round with a culminating event for PA athletes at Summer Games in June at Penn State University.
Special Olympics softball was introduced in 1983. Softball events combine both team and individual skills competitions. Softball is a summer sport and the training season is usually from March to June.
Swimming was an event at the first Special Olympics International Games held in Chicago, Illinois in 1968. Swimming Training Season is usually year round with a culminating event at Summer Games in June at Penn State University.
Tennis became an official Special Olympics sport in 1987. The training season is usually from October to June. For a Tennis Service Representative in your area, contact USTA Middle States - 
Special Olympics Cross Country Skiing was first included in the 1977 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The training season is usually from December to February.
Roller Skating was inaugurated at the 1987 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Indiana, USA. The training season is usually year round with a culminating event at Fall Festival in November.