Flutter Entertainment has committed $775,000 over three years to support Special Olympics International's efforts to help adults aged 35 and older with intellectual disabilities access inclusive sport.
The funding will support Special Olympics International’s ‘Active Aging through Inclusive Sport’ initiative, which aims to remove barriers to ongoing participation in sport throughout adulthood. Through structured sports and community activities, the initiative is designed to support physical activity, social connection, and overall wellbeing.
In its first year, the initiative is expected to support four to five grants to local Special Olympics programs around the globe, supporting athletics, swimming, table tennis and other locally relevant sports. The funding will also support training for coaches and volunteers to deliver the activities.
Flutter's funding aims to engage between 1,500–3,000 athletes and Unified partners through regular Special Olympics initiatives in the first year. Unified partners are people without intellectual disabilities who train and compete alongside Special Olympics athletes. Including wider community activities, family engagement and local outreach, the initiative’s overall annual reach is expected to be between 6,500–10,000 people.
The agreement builds on existing relationships across Flutter’s businesses. FanDuel was an Official Partner of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, while Flutter’s Southern Europe & Africa (SEA) region has an established relationship with Special Olympics Italy.
It also forms part of Flutter’s Do More strategy, the community pillar of the company’s Positive Impact Plan. Through its focus on ‘Sport and Play’, Do More supports organisations and programmes that use sport to bring people together, promote inclusion and improve wellbeing. By expanding opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities to participate in sport throughout adulthood, Flutter and Special Olympics International are helping create stronger, more connected and more inclusive communities.
Kerry McNally, Group Head of Communities & Engagement at Flutter, said: “Our businesses have developed relationships with Special Olympics in their communities. This three-year commitment builds on that experience, supporting an organization with the expertise and local networks to widen access to sport. Through Do More, we’re backing that work with funding to help local Special Olympics programs extend opportunities to adults with intellectual disabilities.”
David Evangelista, President and Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics International, said: “Taking part in sport means so much more than just physical activity— it’s community, it’s connection. Showing up for practice, preparing for competition, and enjoying and benefitting from the friendships that are created along the way. It is an opportunity that should be available throughout adulthood and all of life’s journey. Flutter’s support propels our movement forward in communities around the world, extending our sports and inclusion programming to more athletes worldwide through our Active Aging Through Inclusive Sports initiative. Together, Special Olympics and Flutter are teaming up to make sport a reality for life. That’s our vision for Special Olympics, in every corner of the globe.”
About Special Olympics
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global sports movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health and leadership. With more than 5.1 million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and over one million coaches and volunteers in more than 200 countries and jurisdictions, Special Olympics offers over 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 60,000 games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org.
PRESS CONTACT:
Special Olympics: Lance Dagenhardt, Director, Marketing & Communications – Corporate Partnerships, ldagenhardt@specialolympics.org
Flutter: Please contact corporatecomms@flutter.com. Sign up to email alerts here.