Sports ETA and Special Olympics Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand Inclusive Sports Tourism

LAS VEGAS (May 4, 2026) – Sports ETA, the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, and Special Olympics, Inc. today announced a new multi-year strategic partnership designed to expand opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities through the power of sports tourism.

The collaboration brings together Sports ETA’s national network of more than 850 member organizations with Special Olympics, the world’s largest sports organization for individuals with intellectual disabilities, serving millions of athletes globally.

Through this partnership, Sports ETA will provide Special Olympics with research, education, and connections to destinations and event hosts across the country. The agreement also includes expanded media visibility, storytelling opportunities, and integration into key industry platforms such as the Sports ETA Symposium and Sports ETA’s RFP distribution network, creating new pathways for Special Olympics events to be hosted nationwide.

“This partnership represents the very best of what sports can do to bring people together and create opportunity,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA. “By connecting our industry’s destinations and event leaders with Special Olympics, we are helping expand access to competition, elevate athlete stories, and build more inclusive communities across the country. Sports tourism is a powerful economic engine, but more importantly, it is a platform to drive meaningful social impact.”

As part of the agreement, Special Olympics will engage directly with Sports ETA members through events, education, and business development opportunities, including participation in the annual Sports ETA Symposium and access to industry-leading training and certification programs. The partnership also creates new opportunities for destinations to bid on and host Special Olympics events, further integrating inclusion into the sports tourism ecosystem.

“We are proud to partner with Sports ETA to expand the reach and impact of Special Olympics across North America,” said Greg Epperson, Regional President and Managing Director, Special Olympics North America. “This collaboration opens the door for more communities to welcome our athletes, more partners to support our mission, and more opportunities to demonstrate that inclusion through sport can transform lives, strengthen communities, and change perceptions.”

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to using sport as a catalyst for inclusion, leadership, and community development. By aligning the resources of Sports ETA with the mission of Special Olympics, both organizations aim to increase participation, elevate awareness, and create lasting impact through sport.

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About Sports ETA:

As the only trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, Sports ETA is the most trusted resource for sports commissions, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and sports event owners. Sports ETA is committed to the success of more than 850 member organizations and 2,400 sports event professionals. For more information, visit SportsETA.org.

About Special Olympics:

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global sports movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health and leadership. With more than 4.6 million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and over one million coaches and volunteers in more than 200 countries and territories, Special Olympics offers over 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 60,000 games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org.