FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6, 2025
Contact: Stan Adams, Director of Sports Business Development
Email: stan@springfieldmo.org
417-881-5300 ext. 109
SPRINGFIELD, MO—The Springfield Sports Commission is excited to announce that Springfield has been selected to host the Special Olympics Missouri State Outdoor Games from 2025 through 2027.
The event, scheduled for the third weekend of October each year, will feature competitions in flag football, bocce, softball, tennis and golf, welcoming more than 650 athletes, coaches and volunteers annually.
“We are thrilled and honored to host the Special Olympics Missouri State Outdoor Games for the next three years,” said Stan Adams, director of sports business development for the Springfield Sports Commission. “This is an incredible opportunity to showcase the remarkable talent, determination and spirit of these athletes while uniting our community in celebration of inclusion and sportsmanship. We look forward to creating a memorable experience for everyone involved and making this event a resounding success.”
The games will be held at top venues across Springfield, including the Killian Softball Complex, Cooper Tennis Complex and Lake Country Soccer, along with several other locations throughout the city.
“The best way for the Springfield community to make this event a success is to volunteer or come out and cheer on the athletes,” said Craig Hall, director of competition and outreach for Special Olympics Missouri.
Hall also expressed excitement for the athletes. “This year’s games will be in a new city, and they will get to experience top-of-the-line facilities and feel the hospitality from the city of Springfield,” he said.
The event is projected to generate more than $1 million annually in economic impact, with a total impact of more than $3 million over the three-year contract.
“This will bring a significant economic boom to our community, drawing athletes, families and spectators from all across the entire state of Missouri for the next 3 years. This influx boosts local businesses, hotels, restaurants, retail stores and transportation services,” said Adams. “Beyond the immediate economic benefits, the event highlights the long-term value of inclusivity, showcasing how supporting opportunities for individuals of all abilities contributes to stronger, more vibrant local economies.”
The city’s selection as host is made possible through a partnership involving Special Olympics Missouri, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Special Olympics Southwest Missouri and Lake Country Soccer.
The overall estimated economic impact for both events is calculated via the Destination International Economic Impact Calculator and past event history.
All events and activities are subject to change. To stay updated, please visit springfieldmosports.
About Visit Springfield, Missouri, and the Springfield Sports Commission
Visit Springfield, Missouri, is the official destination marketing organization for Greene, Christian and Polk counties in southwest Missouri. Dedicated to boosting the local economy, the organization drives tourism and group business – bringing leisure travelers, conventions, meetings and sporting events – through innovative marketing initiatives.
Managed under Visit Springfield, the Springfield Sports Commission seeks to enhance the quality of life and stimulate positive economic growth for the greater Springfield community by promoting and developing the area as a venue for quality amateur, collegiate and professional sporting events. For more information on the Sports Commission, visit springfieldmosports.