Special Olympics New York announced on July 18 that Utica University will host the Special Olympics New York State Summer Games for the next three years.

In June of 2026, 2027 and 2028, more than 1,200 athletes and coaches from across the state will compete in six different sports, including basketball, powerlifting, swimming, tennis, track and field and volleyball. Next year’s games are scheduled from June 5-7, with opening and closing ceremonies happening on the Utica University campus as well. 

Other area locations will also be used for specific events, including swimming at Hamilton College, tennis at the city of Utica’s Parkway Recreation Center and volleyball at Mohawk Valley Community College’s Jorgensen Athletic and Event Center.  

Utica University President Todd Pfannestiel said with the support of the local community the event weekend will be memorable for everyone involved. 

“This is such a natural fit on so many levels, but in particular, the Special Olympics mission of inclusion and providing opportunity aligns so closely with our own,” Pfannestiel said in the university’s announcement. “We’re happy to have the games back in Utica for three years and hopefully longer, and we cannot wait for next June to be here.” 

Making this three-year commitment to inclusion is a significant undertaking, and Special Olympics New York is grateful to the many partners for their collaboration and support,  said Stacey Hengsterman, president and CEO of Special Olympics New York.

 Some students are excited about Utica University hosting a headlining event and are happy the university has the ability to put on such a spectacle. 

Azemi Agmin, a student at Utica University said he is glad that Utica University has the opportunity to host the games and he is “looking forward to what this means for the University in the future.”