Co-op and its retail media operation, Co-op Media Network will be the official partners of the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games 2026.
The National Summer Games is country’s largest inclusive multi-sport event of the year.
It brings together more than 1,200 athletes with an intellectual disability from across England, Scotland and Wales and culminates in a championship in Birmingham at the end of the month.
As official sponsors, Co-op and CMN will provide own-brand food and drink to support athletes, volunteers and organisers.
“Special Olympics GB is a fantastic organisation that’s given me opportunities to compete, grow and achieve things I never thought possible,” said Alex Rae, who works at the retailer’s Rosehill Drive store in Aberdeen. Rae has been involved with Special Olympics GB since 2009 and is competing in table tennis at this year’s games.
“Co-op’s support is helping more people understand what Special Olympics GB is all about and what athletes with an intellectual disability can achieve.”
The sponsorship sits alongside a returning in-store awareness campaign – Meals That Matter – that launched in 2025, in collaboration with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), to celebrate the achievements of Special Olympics GB athletes.
The campaign features Special Olympics GB athletes across various customer-facing touch points across 1,000 convenience stores.
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By buying a bespoke Co-op food deal that includes Coca-Cola products, customers will be donating to Special Olympics GB. To date, it’s raised more than £200,000.
“It’s been fantastic to work with Co-op and Co-op Media Network over the last 18 months through Meals That Matter, where our athletes have been championed in its stores and customers have been inspired by everything they achieve,” added Laura Baxter MBE, Chief Executive of Special Olympics GB.
“Enhancing this relationship through a National Summer Games partnership is a fantastic step forward, and we’re very excited to be working with the team to bring this to life. We’re incredibly grateful for their support and look forward to activating their exciting plans when the Games culminate in Birmingham next week.”
