EWING TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Mercer County) — Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) will host its annual Summer Games this weekend, June 6–8, at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), welcoming more than 2,000 athletes and Unified partners from all 21 New Jersey counties for a statewide showcase of athletic excellence, perseverance, and inclusion.
The marquee event of the SONJ competition season, the Summer Games will feature seven sports: athletics (track & field), bocce, gymnastics, powerlifting, softball, swimming, and tennis. While most competitions will take place at TCNJ, softball will be held at Armstrong Memorial Park, and gymnastics will take place at Schafer Sports Center, both in Ewing.
The weekend kicks off early Friday morning around 4:45 a.m. with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey, a beloved tradition in which more than 3,000 law enforcement officers—dubbed “Guardians of the Flame”—run across the state in 26 legs to carry the Flame of Hope toward the opening ceremony.
The Opening Ceremony begins Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Lions Stadium at TCNJ, featuring the Parade of Athletes, law enforcement supporters, the cauldron lighting, and performances by SONJ athlete DJ Redline and singer Mara Justine, capped by a fireworks display. The ceremony is free and open to the public.
In addition to the competitions, the Summer Games will include a Healthy Athletes program, offering free health screenings in areas such as vision, dental, hearing, podiatry, and mindfulness. Children ages 2–7 with intellectual disabilities can participate in Young Athletes™ activities and the Future Stars Race. The Olympic Village will also be open with interactive booths and fun for athletes and guests.
All weekend events, including housing, food, entertainment, and health services, are free of charge for participating athletes—thanks to the support of nearly 3,000 volunteers and corporate sponsors, including Wakefern Food Corp./ShopRite, which is providing lunch for all attendees.
The Opening Ceremony will be hosted by ESPN’s Coley Harvey and live streamed at sonjsummergames.org/live-streaming.
For full event details, sport-specific schedules, and more information, visit sonjsummergames.org.
