Building a Stronger Future

SONH’s 2026 Competition Schedule Realignment

For many years, Special Olympics New Hampshire has followed a familiar competition schedule — one that has brought together thousands of athletes, coaches, volunteers, and families to celebrate inclusion and the joy of sport.

As we look toward the future, we’re taking intentional steps to ensure that our programs remain strong, sustainable, and centered on what matters most — providing high-quality experiences for every athlete.

Why We’re Realigning

Over the past several years, participation across our programs has shifted. While we’ve regained much of what was lost during the pandemic, we’re still rebuilding to pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, staff and volunteer capacity has been stretched thin.

To serve more athletes — and serve them well — we must simplify. That means focusing on quality rather than quantity, ensuring that each event has the resources, energy, and support it needs to thrive.

Through our Scale Back to Build Up initiative, we’ve been intentionally rebuilding our foundation: strengthening culture, improving systems, and aligning with our long-term vision for growth and inclusion.

To guide this work, we formed a 2026 Programming Advisory Group of local program leaders, coaches, athletes, volunteers, and parents who reviewed data and explored ways to maintain opportunities while reducing strain. Their thoughtful feedback helped shape the plan approved by the Special Olympics New Hampshire Board of Directors in October 2025.

What’s Changing in 2026

Beginning in 2026, SONH will implement a realigned competition schedule that preserves all 20 sports while consolidating and strengthening our statewide events.

Here’s what we hope the new schedule looks like:

SEASON / EVENT	TIMING	SPORTS / FOCUS
State Winter Games	March 2-4	Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, Basketball (including Middle School)
State Summer Games	June 11-13	Track & Field, Bocce, Swimming, Sprint Triathlon, Equestrian, Powerlifting, Softball
State Golf	August 17	Held in alignment with SONH’s fundraising golf tournaments
State Fall Games	September	Bowling (Candlepin & Tenpin)
Area Summer Games & Leadership Week	—	Paused for 2026, to be revisited once staff and infrastructure are stabilized

Local programs will have the opportunity to host mini-meets to maintain athlete engagement between seasons.

This is the plan we are moving forward with, but we also want to be clear: 2026 will be a transition year. As we talk with folks across the state, we expect to learn more about what this means for different programs and communities – and we are prepared to adjust where needed. Our goal is to get this right, not be rigid.

What This Means for Athletes and Volunteers

• SONH will continue offering all 20 sports currently available.
• On average, athletes compete in two sports per year — and nearly half participate in only one — meaning this change keeps opportunities accessible and manageable.
• A small group of athletes (about 41) who currently compete in both basketball and a winter sport will need to choose one for Winter Games.
• Softball’s addition to Summer Games expands opportunities for participation in June.

Evolving Together

This realignment helps us:
• Preserve the sports our athletes love while easing logistical strain.
• Create breathing room to invest in people, systems, and culture.
• Position SONH for future growth, ensuring sustainability and excellence in everything we do.

Change is never easy — especially when it involves traditions that mean so much. But these steps are about strengthening the foundation of Special Olympics New Hampshire so we can continue to grow and serve generations of athletes to come.

What’s Next

We’ll be working closely with the local programs, management teams, venues, and partners most directly affected by these changes to support a smooth transition.

We’re deeply grateful to the volunteers, coaches, and community partners who make every competition possible, and to the athletes who remind us every day why this work matters.

Together, we’re building a stronger, more sustainable future for Special Olympics New Hampshire.

Thank you for being part of the SONH family.