Twenty athletes from across the Greater Toronto Area are lacing up for one of the most meaningful fixtures on the soccer calendar. Tomorrow, July 22, the 2026 Toronto FC Unified Exchange Team kicks off its season against the New England Revolution’s Unified squad at Gillette Stadium in Boston, with a second match set for BMO Field on August 15. For …
Sobeys and Empire Family of Brands Campaign Raises Record $1.73 Million for Special Olympics
The 2026 Sobeys and Empire Family of Brands fundraising campaign has closed with a record-breaking result, raising $1.73 million nationally for Special Olympics athletes between June 11 and 21. This year’s theme, “Every Best is Personal,” captured what the campaign has always been about: recognizing that every athlete milestone, whether a first goal, a new friendship, or a breakthrough moment …
Meet Team Canada: Our Unified Football World Cup Squad
Team Canada has arrived in Paris for the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup 2026! What is the Unified Football World Cup? The Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup brings together Unified teams, athletes with and without intellectual disabilities playing side by side, from around the globe. Paris 2026 marks the third edition of the tournament, following Chicago (2018) and …
Celebrating the Life of Dr. Frank J. Hayden and Marion Hayden
The Special Olympics community lost a true founding figure on May 16, 2026. Dr. Frank Hayden passed away at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy that has transformed countless lives. We are honouring his memory, and that of his late wife Marion, with a public Celebration of Life, and we warmly invite anyone who was touched by his …
Creating More Inclusive Schools Across Ontario
Supported by the Government of Ontario More than 1,100 athletes, unified partners and educators from over 90 schools came together at the 2026 Special Olympics Ontario School Championships in London. For three days, students from across Ontario competed alongside their peers, built meaningful friendships and experienced the power of belonging. But School Championships is about much more than competition. Inspired by the legacy of Special Olympics movement founder Dr. …
Beyond the Field: How Sobeys Empowers Special Olympics Athletes
We are excited to launch our latest fundraising campaign with Empire Company Limited and its trusted brands like Sobeys, Safeway, and Foodland. From June 11 to 21, 2026, Empire Company Limited will match donations made in-store to a maximum of $500,000. This means your $2 donation has the power of $4, so let’s double our impact together! This powerful partnership is rooted …
Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run Raises Historic $3.2 Million for Special Olympics Athletes
The Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) has reached a historic milestone, raising a record-breaking $3.2 million in support of Special Olympics Ontario athletes during the 2025–26 fiscal year. The achievement represents a $1 million increase over the previous year’s fundraising total and marks the most successful fundraising year in Ontario LETR history. As the official charity of choice of the Ontario …
More Than 1,000 Athletes to Gather in London for the 2026 Special Olympics Ontario School Championships
London, On – May 21, 2026— From May 26 to May 28, more than 1,000 high school-aged athletes with and without intellectual disabilities from across the province will gather at Western University for the 2026 Special Olympics Ontario School Championships, hosted by the London Police Service. Athletes earned their place at the championships through regional qualifying events and will compete in athletics, …
The Legacy of Floor Hockey in Special Olympics Ontario
Earlier this month in Newmarket, Special Olympics Ontario communities came together to celebrate floor hockey, honouring the sport’s rich history, the athletes who have competed with pride, and the leaders and volunteers whose vision helped shape its success. The celebration was both a reunion and a reflection: a chance to recognize how floor hockey has influenced generations of athletes and played a defining role …
Making Waves for Inclusion: The 2026 Polar Plunge Raises $1.2 Million
It takes a specific kind of courage to dive into freezing waters in the middle of an Ontario winter. But this year, communities across the province proved that their warmth and generosity easily outmatch the chill. The 2026 Polar Plunge season was nothing short of historic, rallying thousands of people to get #FreezinForAReason and shattering expectations. The incredible impact of …