Harvard University Athletics Complex Welcomes Special Olympics
- Aaron S. Terry
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
On June 6th and 7th, 2026, Harvard University Athletics Complex will welcome the Massachusetts Special Olympics Summer Games. Events held at Harvard include swimming, volleyball, tennis, power lifting, softball, and javelin, with additional events and activities held at Boston University. The opening ceremonies were also supposed to be held at Harvard Stadium, home of the Crimson football team, but were moved to a different location.
The Massachusetts Special Olympics is held every year at Harvard and nearby Boston College, drawing over 1,500 athletes and Unified Partners. The event is also supported by over 1,000 volunteers to run the event over the weekend.
While Special Olympics Massachusetts has enjoyed a long relationship with the cities of Boston and Cambridge, Matt Ruxton, Vice President of Sports for the nonprofit, recently announced that the games are potentially looking for different host cities starting in 2027. The cities of Lowell, Worcester, and Springfield have all expressed interest, but the organization is still accepting bids and reviewing options.
Ruxton made it clear that Special Olympics Massachusetts has no issues with the current host cities or their venues, but the organization just wanted to give other cities in the area the chance to support this important event.
Harvard University Athletics Complex includes over a dozen sports fields and arenas, with the Special Olympics making use of Blodgett Pool for swimming; Palmer Dixon Hall for power lifting; the Beren Tennis Courts for tennis; the Murr Center for volleyball; and Gordon Indoor Track for high jump, shot put, and long jump, with a sensory room located in Dillon Field House. Over at Boston College, the games continue with track and field, soccer, and bocce taking over the Newton Campus facilities.
