Toyota Ireland has been announced as a new Premier Sponsor of Special Olympics Ireland, renewing one of the most resonant partnerships in Irish sport ahead of this month’s Ireland Summer Games.
The agreement will run until May 2028 and will see Toyota support Special Olympics Ireland at both national and local levels, with a priority on community engagement, athlete recognition and the celebration of inclusive sport across the island of Ireland.
It is a partnership with deep roots. Toyota was one of the primary sponsors of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland, a landmark moment as the Games were staged outside the United States for the first time. That event left a powerful legacy of volunteerism, inclusion and community pride, and Toyota’s return to the Irish movement now reconnects with that history.
The timing comes just ahead of the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games 2026, which take place from June 18th to 21st. More than 1,200 athletes will compete across 12 sports in what is described as Ireland’s largest inclusive sporting event.
Toyota Ireland will support the Games through a national radio, digital and digital audio campaign running from June 4th to 21st, built around the theme of “Why the Special Olympics is special.” The campaign will use athlete stories and instances of connection to encourage the public to attend, volunteer, and show support for the athletes.
The partnership will also be activated through Toyota’s nationwide network of more than 41 dealers, giving the sponsorship a strong local dimension. That community reach will be used to celebrate athletes, encourage volunteering, support local clubs and raise visibility for Special Olympics Ireland in towns and cities around the country.
“We are very proud to relaunch our partnership with Special Olympics Ireland,” said Steve Tormey, Chief Executive of Toyota Ireland. “For Toyota, this is about bringing our Built for a Better World commitment to life in a style that has real meaning, supporting a national movement that creates opportunities for athletes to be recognised, celebrated, and included.”
He added that Toyota’s history with Special Olympics, including its role in the 2003 World Games, gave the new partnership added meaning as Ireland prepares to host another major celebration of inclusive sport.
“At Special Olympics, we believe strong partnerships have the power to bring about lasting change,” said Karen Coventry, CEO of Special Olympics Ireland. “We are delighted to join forces with Toyota, who share our commitment to innovation, community, and inclusivity. Together, we look forward to having a real impact and a positive difference in the lives of the people and communities we support.”
Toyota became a Global Partner of Special Olympics International in 2017, strengthening an international partnership that has included transportation, athlete support, and activation around major Special Olympics events.
For Special Olympics Ireland, the return of Toyota as a Premier Sponsor brings both financial and promotional support at a time when the movement is preparing for its biggest national showcase of the year.
For Toyota, it is an additional significant statement in the sport and community space, aligning the brand with inclusion, mobility and belonging, and reconnecting with one of the most fondly remembered sporting moments staged in Ireland this century.
Special Olympics Ireland is a full member of Sport for Business.
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