EWING TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Mercer County) — More than 2,000 athletes and Unified partners from across New Jersey will compete this weekend as Special Olympics New Jersey hosts its annual Summer Games at The College of New Jersey.
The three-day event, scheduled for June 5-7, is the organization’s premier statewide competition and brings together athletes from all 21 counties after months of training and preparation.
Competitors will participate in seven sports: athletics (track and field), bocce, gymnastics, powerlifting, softball, swimming and tennis. Most events will take place on the TCNJ campus, while softball competitions will be held at Armstrong Memorial Park and gymnastics events at Schafer Sports Center in Ewing.
The weekend begins early Friday morning with the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey. More than 3,000 law enforcement officers, known as the “Guardians of the Flame,” will carry the Flame of Hope through 26 relay legs across the state to raise awareness and support for the organization.
The Torch Run will culminate at the Summer Games Opening Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Lions Stadium on the TCNJ campus. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will feature the Parade of Athletes, the lighting of the cauldron and a fireworks finale.
This year’s Torch Run will also include participants from the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games Final Leg Torch Run. Special Olympics New Jersey athlete Bobby Fredericks and Edison Police Capt. Jason Gerba are among those helping carry the Flame of Hope as it travels from Chicago to Minnesota ahead of the 2026 USA Games.
Competition will continue throughout the weekend, with spectators encouraged to attend and support the athletes.
In addition to athletic events, the Summer Games will feature Young Athletes activities for children ages 2 to 7 with intellectual disabilities, including developmental sports programming and a Future Stars Race.
Athletes will also have access to the Healthy Athletes program, which provides health screenings and services in areas such as vision, dental care, hearing, podiatry, mindfulness and health education.
Olympic Village will offer opportunities for athletes and supporters to interact with corporate partners that support Special Olympics New Jersey throughout the year.
Organizers said all Summer Games activities are provided free of charge to participating athletes, including meals, housing, entertainment and health screenings.
The event is supported by nearly 3,000 volunteers, including coaches, officials, clinicians, photographers and event support personnel.
