This October, the world of volleyball will gather in Katowice, Poland, for the first-ever Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup. From 5–8 October 2025, Spodek Arena will host athletes from around the globe in a competition that celebrates skill and inclusion.
The Spirit of the Unified Volleyball World Cup
For Special Olympics Slovakia’s Šimon Jakuš, the World Cup represents the joy of participating and being part of a supportive community:
“My biggest achievement is simply being able to do sports and to be part of Special Olympics Slovakia.”
Volleyball is a fast-paced team sport requiring agility, coordination, communication, and strategy. This tournament features a format unique to Special Olympics – Unified Sports. This means that each team is composed of six athletes with intellectual disabilities and six Unified partners—athletes without intellectual disabilities. Together, they take the court as equals, proving that sport can transcend boundaries.
Spotlight on Europe: Eight Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Athletes to Watch
This inaugural edition brings together 16 teams worldwide—eight women’s squads and eight men’s/mixed—who will compete through group play, playoffs, and finals, promising passion, teamwork, and unforgettable rallies.
As part of our series, we’ll be taking you behind the scenes and beyond the court, sharing moments from the athletes’ lives, their training, and the challenges they overcome. Look out for:
Whether practising in local gyms or dreaming of standing on the podium in Katowice, these athletes show that victories are measured as much in human connection as in points scored.
For Special Olympics Finland’s Mika Ahonen, the anticipation is building:
“I am really looking forward to travelling to Poland and playing in the World Cup. The opponents will be strong, and we need to give our best to fight for victories. I’ll really enjoy facing new teams—it will be an exciting time in Poland and a chance to gain new experiences.”
Beyond the Court: Wellness and Community
The Unified Volleyball World Cup goes beyond competition—it’s a week of sport, community, and learning. Fans and attendees can look forward to:
- Opening and Closing Ceremonies at Spodek Arena, a vibrant showcase of home colours, pride, and emotion as well as an engaging Unified Volleyball Exhibition with ambassadors and local celebrities
- Healthy Athletes programme, offering free screenings and resources, including podiatry checks through Fit Feet, vision tests with Opening Eyes, and mental wellness support via Strong Minds.
- Young Athletes programme, introducing children aged 2–7 and their caregivers to sport through playful activities.
- Fit5 initiative on 6 October, promoting healthy lifestyles: encouraging exercise five days a week, five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and five bottles of water.
A City Steeped in Volleyball Tradition
Poland is no stranger to volleyball glory. Katowice, with its passionate fan culture and deep ties to the sport, and Spodek Arena—a venue that has hosted world championships —makes the perfect host. For Special Olympics Poland, 2025 is especially meaningful: it marks the 40th anniversary of the programme, making this World Cup both a global competition and a national celebration.
Beyond the Net: A Message to the World
As Special Olympics Serbia’s Marija Kostić reminds us, the lessons of sport extend beyond winning medals:
“You have to stay focused all the way until the very end. There will always be time for celebrations later, but during the game, concentration and teamwork come first.”
The Unified Volleyball World Cup will reveal what’s possible when athletes of all abilities play side by side, challenging stereotypes and building lasting friendships.
From 5–8 October, catch all the action-packed moments live, in-person or via live-stream, and cheer on the athletes as they give it their all on the court.
You can watch the Opening Ceremony, competitions and Closing and Award Ceremonies from 5 to 8 October live on the Special Olympics Poland YouTube channel: Olimpiady Specjalne Polska – YouTube.
Follow our dedicated webpage for the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup throughout the tournament for the full schedule and results, news and athlete stories from Krystian, Marija, Saša, Nataliia, Sonia, Šimon, Mika and Michael.
