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DeForest to host 2026 Special Olympics Wis. Fall Games
special Olympics

DEFOREST — More than 900 bocce, flag football, and softball athletes from across the state will converge on the DeForest Athletic Complex (6751 River Road, DeForest) Friday through Sunday, September 18-20, for the Special Olympics Wisconsin Fall Games.

A Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin Battle of the Badges softball tournament will kick off the weekend’s festivities Friday evening at DeForest Athletic Complex. An Opening Ceremony will welcome all athletes, coaches, family, and fans prior to competition Saturday morning. Bocce, flag football, and softball competition will begin Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m., with the Flag Football and Softball medal rounds culminating Sunday. A full schedule of events can be found on the Fall Games page of the Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) website.

Complementing Fall Games, SOWI will host a series of health-focused activities, including two Healthy Athletes events on Saturday. Special Smiles (oral health screenings and education) and Health Promotion (fitness, nutrition, and healthy behaviors) will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Additionally, the HEAR Wisconsin Mobile Audiology Clinic will be stationed near the complex entrance for free hearing screenings. All SOWI athletes — not just those competing at Fall Games — are welcome to attend all Healthy Athletes events free of charge.

For the past three years, Special Olympics Wisconsin’s Fall Games was held in the Wisconsin Dells area, relocating to greater Madison for 2026.

Handfuls of volunteers are still needed for multiple roles throughout the weekend, and each will receive a free T-shirt. A great community service opportunity for all, Special Olympics Wisconsin needs continued support from the Dells area to help to bring these Fall Games to life.

The 2026 SOWI Fall Games are supported by LETR for Special Olympics Wisconsin; Jersey Mike’s; Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation; Dunkin’; Knights of Columbus; Kriete Truck Centers; Bader Philanthropies; Boldt; Cellcom; Delaware North; Endres Manufacturing; Enterprise; Mueller Sports Medicine; Sensient; SpartanNash Foundation; WisPact Foundation; AE Foundation; CBRE; Hooper; Madison Community Foundation; Molina Healthcare; Reyes Bottling; Widen Family Foundation; and OUR TEAM partners Milwaukee Admirals, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Green Bay Packers.

For more information about Fall Games and the Special Olympics Wisconsin movement itself, visit SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org.