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Utah Summer Games announces Raiders partnership, Special Olympics contract, bigger fireworks show
Summary
Organizers previewed the 2025 Utah Summer Games in Cedar City, announcing a new Las Vegas Raiders partnership for 7-on-7 flag football, a three‑year hosting agreement with Special Olympics Utah and an expanded opening‑ceremony fireworks display; organizers said attendance and hotel demand are trending above last year.
John Oglesby, director for the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games program at Southern Utah University, told the Cedar City Council on May 7 that the 2025 Utah Summer Games will include new partnerships and is on track for increased attendance.
Oglesby said the games have struck “a landmark agreement” with the Las Vegas Raiders to sponsor 7-on-7 flag football and that the university and event organizers expect higher hotel bookings and participant growth this year. He said Special Olympics Utah has signed a three‑year contract to hold its statewide event on SUU’s campus during the Summer Games, and organizers now expect additional multi‑night hotel reservations tied to that competition.
The announcement matters because the games bring large numbers of visitors and hotel revenue into Cedar City during late spring and early summer. Oglesby told the council the program posted “a little over 12,000 athletes” in related programming last year and that organizers are targeting growth into the 13,000 range for 2025. He said Special Olympics teams and families will use campus dorms and dining, and that organizers have already requested roughly 50 additional hotel rooms beyond their initial estimates.
Organizers also confirmed the opening ceremony on Friday, June 6 will feature the largest fireworks show in Utah Summer Games history, with gates opening at 8 p.m. Oglesby invited council members and the public to attend and noted community and corporate support for the event, including sponsorship from State Bank of Southern Utah.
Council members and city staff thanked Oglesby and his partners for coordination with Leisure Services and public safety to manage crowds and logistics. The council was told registration for individual sports and special events is open at utahsummergames.org.
Organizers said they also are adding outdoor volleyball (a one‑day event) and other smaller competitions, and that some new events were being scheduled on Mondays and Tuesdays to improve hotel availability for multi‑night stays. Oglesby credited Visit Cedar City and tourism partners for the scheduling strategy.
The city provided no budget or specific public‑safety demands tied to the games during the presentation; council members said they would continue coordinating with Leisure Services and police to finalize details as the events approach.
