Types of Major Games
Provincial Games
Organized by the Provincial Games Organizing Committee and Special Olympics Ontario, Provincial Games brings athletes together from across the Province. Athletes must compete at the designated Provincial Qualifier for their sport specific conference in order to be identified to attend Provincial Games. Athletes may advance from Provincial Games to National Games.
Provincial Games are held on a 4-year rotating basis for each season:
- Spring Games take place every four years in May or June
- Summer Games take place every four years in July or August
- Winter Games take place every four years in January or February
- Provincial Floor Hockey Championship & Provincial 5-Pin Bowling Championship takes place every four years in April or May in the same year as the Winter Games
Athletes must meet all eligibility and endorsement criteria and may compete in only ONE sport per Games.
Please refer to the sport policy section for policies on identification and eligibility for Provincial Games.
National Games
Organized by the National Games Organizing Committee and Special Olympics Canada, National Games brings athletes together from across the country. Athletes must compete at the Provincial Games in order to be identified to attend National Games. Athletes are identified from National Games to advance to World Games and must meet endorsement criteria.
National Games are held every two years, on a rotating basis between Summer and Winter seasons. All SOO spring and summer sports advance to the National Summer games.
Please refer to the sport policy section for policies on identification criteria for National Games.
World Games
Organized by the Games Organizing Committee and Special Olympics International, World Games brings athletes together from around the world.
Special Olympics World Games are held every two years on a rotating basis between Summer and Winter games.
Athletes must compete at the National Games in order to be identified to attend World Games. Athletes qualify from the National Games held the preceding year and must meet endorsement criteria. Team Canada is administered by Special Olympics Canada.