Stena Line has urged Irish businesses to get behind Special Olympics Ireland’s ‘Support an Athlete’ campaign as part of its new long-term partnership with the organisation.

The Swedish-owned ferry operator announced a four-year sponsorship agreement in October 2025, running through to 2028.

The partnership will come into sharp focus this summer with the staging of the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games. The event will bring together 1,277 athletes from June 18–21 to compete across 12 sports in what is set to be the largest inclusive sporting event on the island in 2026.

Proceedings will begin with an Opening Ceremony at Tallaght Stadium on June 18, providing a national platform for athletes from across Ireland to showcase their abilities, build friendships and enhance their physical and mental wellbeing.

Stena Line said its sponsorship reflects a strong alignment with the values of inclusion, equal opportunity and the transformative power of sport. The investment will support more than 6,000 athletes nationwide, expanding access to year-round training, competition, and health and leadership programmes through a network of clubs, volunteers and coaches.

“This is a partnership which truly transcends sport,” said Karen Coventry. “Stena Line’s support will help to provide opportunities for thousands of athletes to access sport, health and leadership programmes, but more than that, it will give athletes the platform to develop their physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and build skills and friendships that last a lifetime.”

Orla Noonan, Travel Commercial manager at Stena Line added that the company is “honoured to help the athletes reach incredible milestones,” pointing to inclusivity and care as central to the organisation’s values.

“Partnerships like this one do more than just support sport – they transform lives, strengthen communities and promote true inclusion,” she said.

As part of the campaign, Stena Line is encouraging its partners, customers and the wider business community to contribute to the ‘Support an Athlete’ initiative. A major internal fundraising drive is also planned, with staff set to take an active role in the months ahead.

Passengers travelling on Stena Line services will also have the opportunity to donate, with onboard collection points available across its fleet.

Businesses and individuals can support the campaign through corporate giving, community fundraising, philanthropy or gifts in kind, with further details available via the official campaign website at www.irelandgames.ie.

 

 

 

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