It’s now less than one year until the torch arrives in the Twin Cities for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, ushering in a week-long event that is expected to be bigger than both of Minnesota’s Super Bowls.

In fact, the games will be one of the largest sporting events held anywhere in the country next year, expected to draw more than 100,000 spectators from around the country to cheer on more than 3,000 athletes competing in 16 Olympic-style team and individual sporting events at competition sites including the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine. The economic impact for the state is expected to reach $75 to $100 million, according to the organizing committee.

“It is really something special,” said Christy Sovereign, CEO of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.Sovereign is an executive “on loan” from Accenture in Minneapolis. It’s a role that culminates her work as both a business leader, and longtime volunteer.

“This event is special to me as I was born and raised in Minnesota, and my sister is a Special Olympian,” Sovereign said in a recent interview with TCB. Her sister Katie, who has Down syndrome, has competed in swimming and golf events in multiple games.

The last time Minnesota hosted a Special Olympics event of this magnitude was the World Games in 1991.

“The more we can raise awareness,” Sovereign said, “the better we leave the world.”

To mark the “One Year Out” milestone, the Games launched a nationwide digital campaign called “Cheer Like a Champion,” encouraging fans to share #CheerLikeAChampion moments on social media. It kicked off June 20, beginning with the Twin Cities skyline lit up in gold as a tribute to athletes preparing to take the national stage next summer.

Sovereign’s priorities now include securing volunteers, more corporate support, and donations.

More than 20,000 volunteers will be needed during the Games, which run June 20-26. Signups will open in January, Sovereign said. And if volunteering isn’t an option, Sovereign said just being engaged helps support the movement.

“Bring your family and friends, fill up the Fan Zone, watch the events in any capacity. There are so many ways to get involved.”

On the financial side, Bank of America, Target, Schwan’s and UnitedHeath Group are some of the largest Minnesota-based companies supporting the event. There are many ways to get involved, from Mall of America hosting a “Fan Zone” to Accenture’s Unified Work Summit debuting at the 2026 games, offering career development resources for individuals with intellectual disabilities. More corporate support is needed to deliver a world-class experience, Sovereign added.

As she noted during a recent 1st Tuesday talk at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management: “We’re thinking deeply about safety and security, and we’re thinking about traffic … the operations center and the bat phone to the hospital and the bat phone to the police department. All of that is this beautiful symphony that needs to come together to orchestrate.”

The Special Olympics USA recently launched Club 26, a way for independent donors to lend financial support to both the games and organization, and, in return, receive perks and access to special events.

Special Olympics is planning its largest torch run ever leading up to the Minnesota games. The torch will be lit on May 29, 2026 at Solider’s Field in Chicago, the site of the first Special Olympics in 1968. From there, it will be split into two torches that will be run up and down both the east and west coasts, then across the county back to Minnesota for the opening ceremony on June 20.