Athletes train for a minimum of eight weeks for the sports they participate in. From there, they can participate on a local level, followed by area, and sometimes regional competition for their opportunity to compete on a state level. For some, opportunities go beyond the state level to national and even World Games.
Special Olympics Missouri offers three state-level events throughout the year. Here, athletes get to travel away from home overnight and gain a sense of independence while making new friends and shining in front of a statewide audience.
COVID-19 updates and protocols are available here.
State Indoor Games
March 24-26, 2023 (Lindenwood University -- St. Charles)
- Sports: Basketball and Bowling
- The 2023 Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) State Indoor Games brought more than 1,500 athletes, coaches, volunteers and Unified partners from across the state to St. Charles, March 24-25. We are so proud of all of our athletes and coaches! Thank you to all of the volunteers and sponsors!
- We'll have more information on our 2024 State Indoor Games soon!
2023 State Soccer
The 2023 State Soccer SOMO Cup will be held on Saturday, May 13th in Jefferson City Missouri.
- Check out this flyer for more information!
- Contact Luke Lamb at lamb@somo.org for more information.
State Summer Games
- Sports: Volleyball, Track and Field, Swimming and Powerlifting
- Locations: University of Missouri and Hickman High School
- Tentative Schedule - Subject to Change
- Fact Sheet and Map
- Click here to sign up to volunteer!
- The Statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO), founded by the Missouri Police Chiefs Association (MPCA) 37 years ago, will begin on May 22 and will continue through Friday, June 2. Click here for more info!
- Statewide Sponsors: Diamond Pet Foods, MASC, Knights of Columbus, LETR, Veterans United Home Loans, University of Missouri, University of Missouri System and MU Health Care
- Silver Sponsors: River Region Credit Union and Southwest Dairy
- Bronze Sponsor: Columbia Missourian, Columbia Regional Airport
- For the most up-to-date information, make sure you download the mobile app! To download, you can either scan the QR code below OR search the Apple or Google Play app stores and search for “Whova.” You’ll need an email to sign up. Once you have downloaded the Whova app, search for “State Summer Games 2023” and connect to our event. Use the invitation code: StateSummerGames2023
2023 State Pickleball
We are excited to hold SOMO’s inaugural State Pickleball Tournament in Jefferson City on Saturday, July 15th, 2023!
Check out this flyer for more information. Contact Luke Lamb at lamb@somo.org for more information.
State Outdoor Games
Oct. 6-8, 2023 (Jefferson City)
- Sports: Softball, Golf, Tennis, Bocce and Flag Football
- More information coming soon!
Come join us for the MAAA Track and Field Meet at Farmington High School! Scott Williams swilliams@somo.org (Rain Date will be Thursday, May 11th)
Wright City Local Track Meet
The rain date for this event is Friday, May 19. With any questions, please reach out to Regional Program Director, Jocelyn Diehl, via email at diehl@somo.org or by phone at…
SW Area Pickleball Clinic
May 23rd 5:15-6:45 PM Doling Park, 301 E Talmage Street, Springfield MO 65803 Limited to 12 athletes. Athletes must be registered and have a valid physical. Equipment, snacks and water…
North Area Soccer Clinic
Join us for a FREE Soccer Clinic in partnership with Benton HS Soccer teams and coaches! Clinic will be held on Wednesday, June 7 from 9:00-11:00am @ Sparks Filed(Benton HS…
SE Area/STL Metro Area Softball Tournament – Shawnee Park Sports Complex
Come join us!!! We are very exited to host the SE/STL Area Softball tournament at beautiful Shawnee Park Sports Complex in Cape Girardeau! Scott Williams - SOUTHEAST DIRECTOR swilliams@somo.org Jocelyn…
SW Area Softball
Sunday, July 16th - First Game will start at 9:30 AM Killian Softball Complex 2141 E Pythian St Springfield, MO 65802 Roster, Physicals, Unified Partner Forms and Class A’s…
North Area / KC Metro Flag Football Tournament
Team entries are due Thursday, July 6. Questions? Contact Todd Stutzman: stutzman@somo.org OR Meg Ward: ward@somo.org
SOMO Night at the Springfield Cardinals Game
Bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to join us in celebrating our SOMO athletes at the Springfield Cardinals Game! SOMO Athletes in attendance will be able to participate in…
Bambino Buddy Ballgame hosted by Babe Ruth League
Bambino Buddy Ball Game at Cal Ripken World Series in Branson Saturday, August 12th, 2023 Bambino Buddy Ball Game Time 3:00 PM Players Check-In 2:00 Ballparks of America, 1000 Pat Nash…
SW Area Golf
SW AREA GOLF – Monday, August 8th Tee Time: 8:00 AM – please arrive by 7:30 AM LOCATION: Carthage Golf Course 2000 Richard Webster Drive Carthage, MO 64836 Teams must…
Every four years, the USA National Games provide an opportunity for athletes to compete at the national level in summer sports. The 2022 USA Games were held in Orlando. The 2026 USA Games will be in Minneapolis, Minn. To qualify, individuals need to receive a gold medal in their sport of choice during the year prior to selection camp, attend selection camp, and be selected to Team Missouri. For more info, email us!
June 5-12, 2022 Orlando, FL
We brought 77 athletes, 24 coaches/sports managers, 17 unified partners and 8 staff members to the 2022 USA Games in Orlando!
In total – Team Missouri brought home 71 medals in nine different sports!
Team sports:
- Basketball (Women's) 3-on-3 -- two teams
- Flag Football (Unified) -- two teams
Individual sports:
- Athletics
- Bocce
- Bowling
- Golf (Levels 1: female only; Levels 2-3: male only)
- Powerlifting
- Swimming
- Tennis (1 female spot; 1 male spot; 1 female Unified Partner spot)
Every four years, Special Olympics conducts a national summer games in the United States that includes athletes from all 52 US Programs.
The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games brought 3,500 athletes to the greater Orlando area to compete in a variety of sports at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
In addition to competing on the national stage, Missouri athletes have the prestigious honor of representing their country on the global stage as part of the Special Olympics World Games.
World Games usually happen every two years and alternate between summer and winter sports. We've had numerous athletes from Missouri compete with Special Olympics USA at World Games over the years.
Click here to read more about Charlie Phillips!
Phillips, a Savannah, Mo. resident, learned about this amazing honor during an interview with KQ2 Sports Director Chris Roush.
Before he was officially selected to compete for Special Olympics USA, Phillips had to prove himself at the Special Olympics USA Team Trials in San Antonio, Texas last November. He finished the weekend with the top squat – 182.5 kg – and the top deadlift – 227.5 kg – among all the Special Olympics USA powerlifters. He also benched 130 kg.
The Special Olympics World Games will be held June 17-25 in Berlin, Germany. 7,000 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners from approximately 170 countries will compete in 24 sports. The athletes will be supported by more than 3,000 coaches and 20,000 volunteers.
The Special Olympics World Games offer the opportunity to unite the world like no other event can. Here people with and without disabilities, people of different nations, cultures, political views and religions meet and can overcome existing prejudices with the power of sport.
To follow Special Olympics USA, visit www.specialolympicsusa.org, and follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/specialolympicsusa,Twitter: @specialolyUSA and Instagram: @specialolympicsusa. Hashtag: #Cheer4USA
Family + Fan Merchandise
Families and fans of the SOUSA delegation can use the following link to purchase merchandise for the B23 Games to support the delegation: https://willpromo.com/sousa/shop/home.
Please note this is a limited time, online store, accepting orders through May 15 but may purchase up to June 1. This date will allow for items to be sent to persons prior to their departures for Germany.
For more information about Charlie Phillips, please contact kauffman@somo.org. For more information about the Special Olympics USA delegation or the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, please contact Rachel McQuiston, Sr. Manager of Marketing and Communications, Special Olympics North America, at rmcquiston@specialolympics.org.