Springfield was picked as the host community for Special Olympics Missouri's 2025 State Outdoor Games, held in mid-October.The inclusive event will bring more than 1,000 athletes, coaches and partners for the competition scheduled Oct. 17-19.Athletes from all over the Show-Me State will compete in different sports including bocce, softball, tennis, golf and flag football.Springfield has previously served as host of the Summer Games for Special Olympics Missouri, also known as SOMO, so this will be a homecoming of sorts.In a Thursday news release, Stan Adams, director of sports business development for the Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission, said: “This is an incredible opportunity to showcase the remarkable talent, determination, and spirit of these athletes while uniting our community in celebration of inclusion and sportsmanship."The State Outdoor Games are one of SOMO's biggest events of the year. In recent years, they were in Jefferson City.“This year’s games will be in a new city, and the athletes will get to experience top-of-the-line facilities and feel the hospitality from the city of Springfield,” said Craig Hall, director of competition and outreach for SOMO, in a release. “The best way to make this event a success is to volunteer to help or just come out and support our athletes.”Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.To make the event successful, donations and sponsorships are sought. Volunteers are also needed.To find out more or help, go to somo.org/outdoorgame.

Springfield picked to host Special Olympics Missouri's 2025 State Outdoor Games

Springfield has previously served as host of the Summer Games for Special Olympics Missouri, also known as SOMO, so this will be a homecoming of sorts.Springfield was picked as the host community for Special Olympics Missouri’s 2025 State Outdoor Games, held in mid-October.In a Thursday news release, Stan Adams, director of sports business development for […]

Springfield has previously served as host of the Summer Games for Special Olympics Missouri, also known as SOMO, so this will be a homecoming of sorts.Springfield was picked as the host community for Special Olympics Missouri’s 2025 State Outdoor Games, held in mid-October.In a Thursday news release, Stan Adams, director of sports business development for the Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission, said: “This is an incredible opportunity to showcase the remarkable talent, determination, and spirit of these athletes while uniting our community in celebration of inclusion and sportsmanship.”

Athletes from southwest Missouri were part of the 2024 State Outdoor Games in Jefferson City. The opening ceremony was Oct. 11.

The inclusive event will bring more than 1,000 athletes, coaches and partners for the competition scheduled Oct. 17-19.The State Outdoor Games are one of SOMO’s biggest events of the year. In recent years, they were in Jefferson City.Athletes from all over the Show-Me State will compete in different sports including bocce, softball, tennis, golf and flag football.

“This year’s games will be in a new city, and the athletes will get to experience top-of-the-line facilities and feel the hospitality from the city of Springfield,” said Craig Hall, director of competition and outreach for SOMO, in a release. “The best way to make this event a success is to volunteer to help or just come out and support our athletes.”Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.To make the event successful, donations and sponsorships are sought. Volunteers are also needed.To find out more or help, go to somo.org/outdoorgame.