Toyota Ireland has today announced a new partnership with Special Olympics Ireland, becoming one of the organisation’s Premier Sponsors until May 2028. The partnership will see Toyota Ireland support Special Olympics Ireland at both national and local levels, helping to deepen community engagement and celebrate the achievements of athletes across the island.
Toyota Ireland is proud to continue its long-standing relationship with Special Olympics, a partnership that began in 2003 under the visionary leadership of founder Dr. Tim Mahony, whose commitment helped establish one of the most enduring and meaningful sporting alliances in the country. Toyota is back once again supporting a cause with a long and meaningful heritage, standing alongside Special Olympics athletes, families, volunteers and communities, championing inclusion, mobility, and the power of sport to transform lives.
The partnership will support Special Olympics Ireland’s mission to create inclusive communities where people with intellectual disabilities can participate, contribute, and thrive through sport. It also marks a powerful expression of Toyota Ireland’s “Built for a Better World” philosophy, bringing the brand’s purpose to life through a national partnership rooted in community, mobility and belonging.
The announcement comes ahead of the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games 2026, taking place from 18–21 June. The Games are Ireland’s largest inclusive sporting event, bringing together more than 1,200 athletes across 12 sports over three days of competition, celebration, and community pride.
To support the Games and encourage communities nationwide to attend and cheer on the athletes, Toyota Ireland will launch a national radio, digital and digital audio campaign running from 4–21 June. Built around the idea of “Why the Special Olympics is special,” the campaign celebrates the unique spirit of the movement, the joy, determination, sportsmanship, and sense of belonging that make Special Olympics unlike any other sporting event. Through real athlete stories and moments of connection, the campaign aims to inspire the public to get involved, show their support and experience the Games firsthand.
With over 41 Toyota dealers nationwide, Toyota Ireland will activate the partnership at a local level with unmatched reach and community presence. This extensive dealer network will play a central role in bringing the partnership to life celebrating athletes in their communities, encouraging volunteering, supporting local clubs, and helping to raise visibility for one of Ireland’s most inspiring sporting movements. The scale and strength of the network ensures that support for Special Olympics is felt in towns, cities, and communities right across the country.
Toyota’s connection with Special Olympics has deep roots. In 2003, Toyota played a pivotal role as one of the primary sponsors of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland, the first time the Games were held outside the United States, leaving a lasting legacy of inclusion and community pride across the country. Toyota further strengthened its commitment to inclusion through sport by becoming a Global Partner of Special Olympics International in 2017.
Commenting on the partnership, Steve Tormey, Chief Executive, Toyota Ireland, said:
“We are very proud to relaunch our partnership with Special Olympics Ireland. For Toyota, this is about bringing our Built for a Better World commitment to life in a way that has real meaning, supporting a national movement that creates opportunities for athletes to be recognised, celebrated, and included.
Toyota has a long and meaningful history with Special Olympics, including our role as one of the primary sponsors of the 2003 World Games in Ireland. As the Ireland Summer Games approaches, we are honoured to build on that legacy and play our part in supporting one of the country’s most inspiring celebrations of sport, achievement, and national pride. We encourage people to go and support the games and cheer the athletes on!”
Commenting on the partnership, Karen Coventry, CEO, Special Olympics Ireland said:
“At Special Olympics, we believe strong partnerships have the power to create lasting change. We are delighted to join forces with Toyota, who share our commitment to innovation, community, and inclusivity. Together, we look forward to making a real impact and a meaningful difference in the lives of the people and communities we support".