Tarragona hosts 2026 Special Olympics for 1,600 athletes

The 13th edition of the Special Olympics Tarragona 2026 has officially commenced, featuring more than 1,600 athletes with intellectual disabilities. The opening ceremony, held at the CaixaBank Tarraco Arena, brought together participants from 12 Spanish autonomous communities and seven European countries, including Andorra, Belgium, Hungary, Malta, Monaco, Portugal, and Ukraine.

The event includes 15 different sporting disciplines, such as athletics, swimming, football, basketball, and gymnastics, held across various venues including the Anella Mediterrània and the Ciutat Esportiva del Nàstic. The games are supported by 379 coaches and over 600 volunteers.

Organized by the ACELL Federation and the Tarragona City Council, the competition aims to promote social integration and personal achievement through sport. The games are scheduled to run until October 12, 2026.