Liverpool is to host the Special Olympics GB Summer Games in 2021 and we are delighted to be a part of it as one of the host venues. It will not only be the biggest multi-sport tournament the city has ever staged, but also the UK’s biggest disability sports event of 2021.

Over 2,000 athletes will take part in a wide range of sports including Athletics, Boccia, Football as well as the Motor Activities Training Programme for people with multiple cognitive disabilities. Other venues who will host the games include Wavertree Athletics Village and ACC Liverpool.

A spectacular opening and closing ceremony at Sefton Park and Echo Arena Liverpool will also trigger a major cultural programme for the games – with a major legacy plan set to include a festival and a new Intellectual Disability Forum.

This is a fantastic opportunity to further promote the importance of giving disabled people the chance to compete at a national level. Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said “these games will be a true celebration of disability sport.”

Greenbank Chief Executive, Mary Beaumont said “Greenbank has been at the forefront of disability sports for years and we’re absolutely delighted the games are coming to Liverpool, the games provide a fantastic opportunity to do even more to promote participation in sport.”

A major legacy programme is also being devised to follow the games, with Liverpool City Council set to expand sport training and competition programme in the region with a number of partners.

Around 1.5 million people in the UK (2% of the population) have an intellectual disability. Special Olympics GB’s National Summer Games is the showpiece domestic event every four years for the organisation and its athletes.

The games will be held in Liverpool from Tuesday 3rd August until Saturday 7th August 2021.