Competition Overview

Special Olympics Florida conducts six State Championships every year. These events are the culmination of an athletes training and competition cycle for a specific sports season.

In order to compete in a State Championship event, athletes and teams must have completed eight weeks of training and compete at county and area level competitions. In addition, basketball teams must qualify at a sectional competition.

Fall Classic

Over one thousand athletes compete in our State Fall Classic held each year in November.  Athletes compete in Bowling, Gymnastics, Powerlifting, Roller Skating and Softball.

Basketball Championships

One hundred (100) teams compete in this event, held annually in March. Teams are divided into age groups and then into one of four ability groups. Teams must play a minimum of 4 games and qualify by winning their ability group at the area level. Teams advance on to one of 4 sectional tournaments at which they must win the competition in their ability group to advance to the state championships. This year's event is being conducted in Orlando. 

These Championships are preceded by three simultaneous, separate statewide Sectional Tournaments.

Summer Games

Special Olympics Florida's Summer Games are the largest event on the calendar with over 2,100 athletes competing in Athletics (Track & Field), Bocce, Cycling, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, and the Motor Activities Training Program. This event is held annually at the University of South Florida in Tampa and kicks off with an exciting Olympic-style Opening Ceremonies that ends with an inspiring fireworks display, and includes a large Olympic Village providing on-going entertainment for athletes, a reception for families and concludes on Saturday night with a closing ceremonies and the much anticipated Victory Dance.

Equestrian Sports

Over 250 riders annually train and compete locally in this exciting sport and in May, 95 riders come to Tampa to compete in our State Championships at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Athletes compete in a variety of English and Western events giving them the opportunity to show their abilities.

Aquatics Championships

Over 300 athletes congregate in North County Regional Park (Indian River County) in October to compete in our annual Championships.  Swimmers will compete in a full slate of short and long course events.

Golf Championships

Legends Golf and Country Club in Clermont hosts this championship in September, on their challenging 18-hole layout. Over one hundred golfers compete in the Individual Skills Competition while 65 golfers compete on the golf course in a variety of standard 9- and 18-hole events.

Volunteering at State Competitions

Volunteers should be 15 years of age or older unless there is a youth group who is accompanied by a sufficient number of adults (who will stay the entire time) for supervisory purposes. Children 10 years old may volunteer if they are a member of a group, and there is an activity at a specific competition that is compatible with their skills. The group must have a sufficient number of chaperones.

At on-site sign-in, all volunteers must show a picture identification.

All volunteers will receive a volunteer T-shirt and lunch.

Special Olympics Florida asserts that the possession or consumption of alcohol or illegal substances at any time during pre-games, games and post-games activities. In addition, smoking or chewing tobacco is prohibited at competition sites.

See the State Games Calendar to see when and where you can volunteer!

Print/download the Volunteer Regsitration Form for all Special Olympics Florida State Games, just fill in which event you are volunteering for at the top where it says "event." These forms are good for that competition only; if you volunteer for multiple events, please fill out a form for each event.