Nearly 2,500 athletes from across the state will gather on the campus of Central Michigan University from May 29 – May 31 to compete in the 2025 Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) Summer Games, marking the 51st year of one of the largest and most inspiring inclusive sporting events in Michigan.
Supported by a total delegation of more than 3,200—including athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and chaperones —SOMI State Summer Games represent the spirit of inclusion, courage, and determination that defines the Special Olympics movement. Athletes will compete in eight Olympic-style sports, including athletics (track & field), bocce, horseshoes, gymnastics, pickleball, powerlifting, swimming, and volleyball.
This year’s Summer Games mark a major milestone for Opening Eyes, a key component of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® initiative, as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. The program has been instrumental in providing vision screenings, prescription eyewear, and referrals for follow-up care to thousands of athletes at no cost to them.
White at the 2025 State Summer Games, healthcare professionals anticipate screening the 20,000 athlete and celebrating more than 12,000 free glasses distributed since the inception of Opening Eyes in Michigan. In its 25-year history, Opening Eyes has been a transformative force in ensuring that athletes are able to compete and live their lives with improved vision.
“We are thrilled to return to Central Michigan University for another unforgettable Summer Games,” said Tim Hileman, President & CEO of Special Olympics Michigan. “The energy, passion, and sportsmanship of our athletes is truly inspiring. Celebrating 25 years of Opening Eyes reminds us that this movement is not only about competition—it’s about health, inclusion, and the dignity of every person.”
On Thursday, May 29, SOMI will host nearly 320 athletes for a Unified competition, celebrating the ability of sport to bring athletes with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team. Special Olympics Michigan will debut its newest sport at the state level during Unified Day: pickleball.
May 30 and May 31 will feature traditional sports competition. In addition, participants will also be offered free vision, hearing, dental, and mental health screenings as part of SOMI’s Healthy Athletes program. Additionally, a Healthy Young Athletes and Young Athletes competition will be offered for children ages 2-7, focusing on fine and gross motor skills.
The event is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and cheer on the athletes. Opening Ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, featuring the Parade of Athletes, the Law Enforcement Torch Run, and the lighting of the Flame of Hope.
The 2025 State Summer Games will serve as a qualifier for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games which will gather athletes for competition from all 50 states in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The mission of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is to create an inclusive event that celebrates ability, delivers the highest quality experiences for all stakeholders, and leaves a lasting legacy of positive change.
A full schedule of events can be found here. For more information, volunteer opportunities, and campus maps visit www.somi.org.
MEDIA NOTE: For video B-Roll of the previous competition, download the footage here. High-resolution photos are available here.