Sporting KC signs 26 players to the Special Olympics Unified Team for the 2026 season

The Summer of Soccer is heating up, and Sporting KC is not stopping.

On May 28, Sporting Kansas City held its annual Special Olympics Signing Day, and the excitement was off the charts! A total of 26 incredible athletes officially signed on to represent Sporting KC’s Special Olympics Unified Team for the 2026 season. The team brings together athletes with and without disabilities, uniting them as one team for a two-game series showdown. This year, the Unified squad will face St. Louis City SC and Minnesota United FC. We've got some big rivalry matches coming up!

This team comes together thanks to the amazing partnerships between Sporting KC, The Victory Project, and Special Olympics Kansas and Missouri. In its eleventh season, the Special Olympics Unified Team has grown each year, and this season will be one to watch.

The ceremony was kicked off by Adrianne Valdivia, Manager of The Victory Project. Adrianne welcomed athletes, partners, families, and Sporting KC staff to the ceremony. The players were welcomed with their full 2026 Primary kit, and as the team anticipated the contract signing, Declan Jogi, Director of the SKC Academy, shared some words of wisdom. 

"Whatever you do, do it together", Jogi said. You're a part of something bigger than yourselves. We before me. And remember, you'll remember more not the wins or the losses, but you'll remember each other. The people you did it with. So what a great moment for you individually, but even more important, what a great moment for you collectively as part of Sporting Kansas City." 

One by one, athletes stepped up to the front, pens in hand, and signed their official team contracts, then each player received their personalized jersey from Darrin McLeod, Sporting KC's Goalkeeper Coach. As each player posed for the camera, you could feel the excitement fill the air, mingling with applause from friends, family, and teammates. 

But the day didn’t stop there.

Just like the first team, the Unified squad had their official headshots snapped, some interviews were held, and the team was fully decked out in the Sporting KC Kit.

After all the camera time, the team was ready to officially hit the pitch. They assembled for their official team photo, and with that, the 2026 Signing Day Ceremony wrapped. The Unified team is well into practices as they prepare for their first game versus cross-state rivals St. Louis City on July 14 at Energizer Park, followed by their first home game on July 22 against Minnesota United FC at Victory Field at Swope Soccer Village. Keep up with all the action on SportingKC.com/Unified.