Committee considers $2 million request to support 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Representative Wayne Johnson presented House File 2258 to the committee on March 25, asking for $2,000,000 in state support to help host the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota. Christie Sovereign, CEO of the 2026 Games, and athlete Eric Anderson testified in support.

Sovereign told the committee the Games are "anchored in sporting activity" but described them primarily as a humanitarian event focused on athlete health, youth inclusion and athlete employment. She said the Games will host 16 sports competitions and include programs to increase employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including two unified-work forums for corporate partners, athlete family workshops on job skills, and a pop-up store at the Mall of America to provide paid work opportunities during the Games.

Budget and impact: Sovereign and Representative Johnson said the Games are expected to generate an economic impact in the range of $75 million to $100 million. Committee testimony stated the state request is about 10% of the Games' budget; Sovereign said about 90% of the budget will be privately raised. She described the $2,000,000 request as approximately $1,500,000 for core event needs (athlete housing, dining and athlete experience) and $500,000 for the unified-work activities.

Committee members asked what would happen if state funds were not appropriated. Sovereign said organizers would prioritize athlete housing, dining and experience, and would make choices about scope for some legacy and off-field activities if public funding fell short. She added that organizers also plan private fundraising to meet most of the budget.

Decision and next steps: The committee laid House File 2258 over for further consideration.