Special Olympics: What you need to know about Christchurch's biggest sporting event in a decade
Saturday, 6 December 2025
Get ready Christchurch — the city's sports venues are about to come alive with 1200 athletes competing in the largest inclusive sports event in the country.
Six venues, 10 sports and five days of rallying behind the nation’s inspiring athletes taking part in the Special Olympics National Summer Games, 20 years after it was last hosted in the city.
Athletes have been training hard, and the dedication from hundreds of volunteers is already evident, like Jackie Driver who has driven from Ashburton daily to help prepare.
The Games kick off next week. Here is what you need to know.
What exactly is this Special Olympics event and why is it important?
The National Summer Games is the pinnacle four-yearly event competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities in New Zealand.
Athletes who perform well can qualify to represent New Zealand at the 2027 Special Olympics World Games in Chile.
It is a significant event in Christchurch post-earthquake, dubbed the “first major sports event across multiple venues to be held in Christchurch for over a decade” by mayor Phil Mauger.
How many athletes are competing and what are the biggest sports?
Swimming leads participation with 286 athletes, followed by ten-pin bowling with 281 competitors. Basketball will feature 195 participants, while athletics draws 112 entrants.
Other sports include bocce, a European ball game similar to lawn bowls, and pétanque (80 athletes), football (88), powerlifting (36), golf (45), indoor bowls (48) and equestrian (34).
Local athletes The Press spoke to said the Games were all about making friends, having fun, and putting in your best effort.
Basketball athlete Carlton Vivian shed 30kgs over his seven dedicated months of training, Samantha McLachlan is excited for her big moment to debut Christchurch's brand-new pool, and seasoned athletics competitor Andrew Oswin hopes to replicate the medal he won on hometown soil in 2005.
The event requires 800 volunteers serving as referees, marshals, transport coordinators and support staff.
“There’s everyone from 15-year-olds - we’ve also got Ko Taku Reo, a deaf school in Christchurch doing a full day at athletics - all the way up to 90-plus-year-olds,“ said volunteer manager Bridie Chetwin-Kelly.
Jackie Driver said the “lovely atmosphere” was worth making the commute from Ashburton to volunteer. “We're busy putting all the packs into bedrooms, putting name labels on bedrooms, and just making sure everybody's got what they need,” she said.
The many school students helping in the week leading up have kept everyone “amused”, she said, racing each other to get the athlete packs made and delivered first.
Which venues across Christchurch are hosting events?
The brand-new Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre will have its first run, hosting swimming and basketball, before the facility opens to the public on December 17.
What better way to get a sneak peek of Parakiore than supporting the athletes?
Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub will be a busy spot hosting athletics, bocce, football and powerlifting.
The Riding for the Disabled Arena in Hillmorton will cater for equestrian events, and the Harewood Golf Club, Canterbury Indoor Bowls, and Zone Bowling are also part of the action.
Athletes and support staff will stay in University of Canterbury residence halls, creating an Olympic Village atmosphere.
It will be the first time Christchurch has hosted the games in 20 years, and the third time overall, following previous events in 1997 and 2005.
“It has been a long time, especially considering Special Olympics Canterbury is the largest of our 42 clubs,” Special Olympics chief executive Fran Scholey said about returning to the city.
When does it take place?
The Games commence with a free public opening ceremony at Wolfbrook Arena at 4pm on Wednesday, promoted as a spectacle of joy, diversity, and inclusion with the lighting of the Olympic Flame of Hope that has been travelling the country.
“Watching the athletes enjoy their moment in the spotlight as they march or dance into the arena is a sight you will never forget,” said Scholey.
Competition runs from Thursday to Sunday. Each venue has varying competition times with schedules available online.
Can I go to watch for free or is it ticketed?
All sporting events are free to attend, though some venues have limited capacity.
Andrew Oswin, a 36-year-old Christchurch athlete competing in his fifth National Summer Games, encouraged everyone to “go down and cheer them on”.
The opening ceremony is free, but requires registration for tickets, while the closing ceremony disco party is reserved for athletes, clubs and a few invited guests Sunday evening.
“Sadly, due to Covid risks, we had to cancel the disco at our last National Games in Hamilton in 2021, so our athletes are keen to make up for lost time. It will be the biggest party Christchurch will see all year,” Scholey said.
What's the community impact?
Other than a major moment for Christchurch signalling big multi-venue events are back in the city, the Games create a huge sense of community for its athletes.
For hundreds like Stephen Cooper, who has been bowling for almost 30 years, Special Olympics has built independence, pride and a sense of belonging. It also became a lifeline for his mother Sylvia, one of the longest-serving volunteers in Special Olympics Canterbury after three decades.
Carlton Vivian spoke about the confidence joining the Special Olympics basketball team gave him, beyond sport but in life and work. “[It] just changed my life. It’s given me so much.”
Scholey said the experience can be “life-changing” for some.
“It’s a huge event, not just for Christchurch, but for the whole country when these extraordinary athletes all with intellectual disabilities come together to compete, have fun and show Aotearoa what inclusion and joy is all about,” she said.
For more information and schedules, visit www.nsg2025.co.nz. Tickets to the free opening ceremony can be booked online here.