Second Edition of the Special Olympics Kingdom Games a Great Success

From 20 to 24 November 2025, the second edition of the Special Olympics Dutch Caribbean Kingdom Games took place. After the first edition on Bonaire, this year Curaçao formed the vibrant backdrop for the 2025 Games.

We look back with pride on a truly special and heartwarming journey. A total of 7 delegations from both the Caribbean and European parts of the Kingdom travelled to Curaçao, with 200 athletes and coaches participating in three days filled with sports, joy, connection, and unforgettable memories.

A Colorful Sporting Celebration

Competitions were held at the Ergilio Hato Stadium and the SDK swimming pool, one central hub where the atmosphere was buzzing from the very first moment.

The Kingdom Games featured a diverse sports program, including:

• Football
• Athletics
• Bocce
• Swimming

Each day brought a wave of emotions: excitement, joy, pride, and countless smiling faces. These are the moments that make our work so meaningful.

Moments That Change Lives

This edition once again reminded us of the profound impact of the Kingdom Games.

We saw athletes boarding a plane for the first time in their lives, parents traveling long distances to visit their sons or daughters in Curaçao, and athletes discovering how big the world is beyond their own village or island. These experiences will stay with them forever.

For many, this journey marked an important milestone. We witnessed growth, confidence, and pride,  transformations that reflect the true spirit of the Games.

Results to Be Proud Of

Delegations stayed across three different accommodations, and over three intensive days delivered impressive performances.

Together, the event included:

💪 140 Athletes
🌍 200+ Staff & Atlethes in total
🙌 100+ officials and volunteers
🏅 4 sports and 1 demo sport
🎖️ 300+ medals & ribbons
🍽️ 148 x 4 breakfast boxes served • 1200 meals
🥤 5000 x water bottles and juices

But more important than the numbers are the friendships, memories, and stories that everyone took home.

Closing Ceremony & Looking Ahead

During a festive Closing Ceremony, the highlight of the evening was revealed: the host location for the next edition.

With great enthusiasm, it was announced that the Special Olympics Kingdom Games 2027 will take place on Sint Maarten. The symbolic handover of the Torch marked a beautiful moment of unity within the Kingdom.

In addition to Sint Maarten 2027, we hope to welcome many of these athletes again at the Special Olympics National Games in Haarlem in 2026 — building a year-round program that places these athletes in the spotlight.

A Word of Thanks

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this edition possible: volunteers, coaches, families, partners, and of course the athletes themselves. Together, we created an event that will stay with us for years to come.

Onwards to Sint Maarten in 2027 — to new stories, new successes, and even more unforgettable moments!