Team Kentucky arrives in Minneapolis for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Special Olympics Team Kentucky arrived in Minneapolis, Minnesota Friday ahead of the beginning of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

According to Mark Buerger, VP of Communications and External Relations for Special Olympics Kentucky, the team departed from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Friday morning in a flight that include a water salute by the airport fire department, arranged by team members of Southwest Airlines.

Southwest gate staff had a banner specially made to celebrate the team as it headed to Minneapolis, according to Buerger.

The team was later greeted in Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport by USA Games volunteers and fans and family members.

The games open on Saturday, with an opening ceremony at the University of Minnesota’s Huntington Bank Stadium.

The ceremonies will begin at 6:30 p.m. CST and will feature performances by Demi Lovato and Jon Batiste and will include the Parade of Athletes, the entrance of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg with Special Olympics Flame of Hope and the lighting of the Special Olympics Cauldron.

The opening ceremonies will be streamed live by EPSN+ and Disney+.

Sunday will serve as a practice day, while the competition officially begins on Monday.

Team Kentucky includes 36 athletes, 10 unified partners, two caddies and 18 coaches. Team members will compete in a range of sports, including gymnastics, bocce, bowling, flag football, golf, swimming, track and field and Unified Basketball.

The USA Games include nearly 3,000 athletes representing all 50 states and Washington, D.C.