Volo Sports, Special Olympics New York Launch Unified Basketball League in Brooklyn

New York City, NY – Special Olympics New York and Volo Sports, the largest provider of community-focused adult social sports in North America, today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind Unified Basketball League that will start play in the fall. The partnership reflects both organizations’ shared commitment to expanding access to recreational sports and building stronger, more connected communities through sport.

Participation fees will be waived for this inaugural season while Volo Sports and Special Olympics New York seek to establish a strong foundation for inclusive sports in New York City.

Special Olympics Unified Sports teams are comprised of an equal number of players with and without intellectual disabilities. Teams will compete using the same game rules as any Volo basketball team, advancing to and through playoffs following a six-week regular season.

Games will be played every Wednesday at the Post Bk – Dobbin Street gym in Brooklyn, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. beginning Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

Player registration is open at this link.

Leaders from both organizations view the Unified Basketball League as a pilot that has potential to expand to additional Unified Sports offered year-round in New York City and could be replicated by Volo Sports and Special Olympics chapters in other states across the country. Together, Volo Sports and Special Olympics New York hope this partnership serves as a model for how community organizations can work together to create more inclusive recreational opportunities nationwide.

“At Volo, we believe sports have the power to bring people together, and we’re proud to partner with Special Olympics New York to create a league where athletes of all abilities can compete, connect and build lasting friendships,” said Craig Heitczman, General Manager of Volo Sports, NYC Metro. “This partnership reflects what Volo is all about – creating welcoming communities through sports – and we’re excited to work alongside Special Olympics New York to make recreation more inclusive and accessible for everyone.”

“Volo Sports shares our belief that everyone deserves a place to compete in sports, make new friends and experience belonging,” said Stacey Hengsterman, President & CEO of Special Olympics New York. “We know that sports have a unique way of bringing people together across backgrounds and abilities, and we are proud to be setting a new standard for inclusion alongside one of New York City’s fastest growing names in recreational sports.”

Players with and without intellectual disabilities will be required to register with Volo Sports and Special Olympics New York.

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About Volo Sports

Volo Sports is the nation’s largest provider of community-focused adult recreational sports leagues and social experiences, operating across more than 15 major markets nationwide. Founded in 2010, the company has grown from a single bocce league in Baltimore to a national platform on track to reach approximately 1 million lifetime player registrations by the end of 2026. Volo’s mission is to create the opportunity for a fulfilled life through genuine communities and access to activity, grounded in the belief that sports make better humans. Through its nonprofit arm, the Volo Kids Foundation, the organization provides free, high-quality youth sports programming nationwide through the philosophy, “We play so kids play free.” For more information visit https://www.volosports.com/ and https://volokids.org/.

About Special Olympics New York

Special Olympics New York is one of the largest state chapters in the country, serving more than 51,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with more than 375 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports, where students with and without disabilities compete as teammates. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. The organization has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, making it one of the most trusted charities in the business nationally. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org.

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