Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Sports
Matt Sepic
Minneapolis

Twin Cities wins hosting privilege for 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Two men speak at an event
Erik Anderson, left, chats with Darrel Knauss at Huntington Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota following a news conference to announce that the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will take place in the Twin Cities.
Matt Sepic | MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The Twin Cities will host the Special Olympics USA Games in 2026, state officials announced Friday. The event is expected to draw around 4,000 athletes and tens of thousands of fans, volunteers and coaches from across the country.

Minnesota beat out three other states in its bid for the games. They’ll feature 15 team and individual sports, plus another five demonstration events.

The 2026 games will take place largely at the University of Minnesota, but organizers are planning events at other athletic venues around the Twin Cities.

The Special Olympics began in 1968 to give people with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to develop athletic skills. Forty-nine-year-old Erik Anderson, a golfer, has been competing for three decades.

“I have a learning disability, and I was born with a disability called acrodysostosis. It’s a shortness of limbs,” Anderson said.

Anderson lives independently and has a job with the Special Olympics Minnesota organization. He gets help on the golf course from Darrel Knauss, who’s not disabled and plays alongside Anderson as his unified partner.

“For golf, we play alternate shots,” Anderson said. “So I might start where I hit off the first tee, and then Darrel takes a second hit, we keep going, we alternate shots. It’s somebody there to support you.”

The two are getting ready for this year’s USA Games in Orlando next month. But Knauss said they’re already excited to have the event in the Twin Cities.

“The good thing about it is when you travel to Orlando or some place, you can only take a finite number of people with you,” he said. “When it’s held in Minnesota, we’ll be able to have a lot more people participate.”

Peyton Libby, a junior at Orono High School, is playing basketball for Team Minnesota in Orlando this year. She’s looking forward to 2026.

“I think I’ll be so happy to watch them and support them,” Libby said.

Her friend and fellow Orono High School student athlete Jenna Perkins is honorary chair of the Twin Cities event.

“I’m excited that they’re going to come here and have so much fun. It’s a very fun opportunity [to continue the] inclusion revolution,” Perkins said.