Special Olympics Great Britain has named Coca-Cola, alongside Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), as headline partner of the 2026 National Summer Games in a move designed to increase visibility for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
A national campaign will launch next month featuring Special Olympics GB athletes, highlighting their journey from grassroots clubs to national competition and aiming to encourage wider recognition of athletes as role models.
More than 1,200 athletes from across England, Scotland and Wales are set to take part in the 2026 National Summer Games, which will include a range of single-sport competitions nationwide alongside a multi-sport event in Birmingham from 27-30 August. The Games will also act as a potential pathway for athletes seeking selection for the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Chile.
The partnership brings together Coca-Cola GB and CCEP in a co-ordinated approach for the first time at the National Summer Games, combining national brand activity with on-the-ground activation. Colleagues from both organisations will volunteer at the Games, while CCEP will supply product to support events.
The tie-up also links to the return of the ‘Meals That Matter’ campaign with Co-op following its 2025 launch, with Special Olympics GB athletes featured in stores nationwide. Donations will be made to Special Olympics GB when Coca-Cola products are purchased as part of selected meal deals.
Special Olympics GB operates more than 100 grassroots clubs across 27 sports, offering year-round training and competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
