USA Games

State Basketball  

Sport: Basketball  

• Helena - November 7-9, 2024  

State Bowling Championships  

Sport: Bowling  

• Billings – January 26, 2025  

• Helena – January 26, 2025  

• Missoula – February 3, 2025 

• Glasgow – February 3, 2025 – Tentative  

• Butte – February 4, 2025  

• Bigfork – February 4, 2025  

• Great Falls – February 6, 2025  

State Summer Games  

Sports: Athletics, Bocce, Golf, Gymnastics, Swimming  

• Billings - May 14-16, 2024  

No, athletes can only participate in one sport.  

For most sports, athletes must win a gold medal in their division at a state competition in 2024 (Basketball) and 2025 (Bowling and State Summer Games). For some sports, places other than gold may be eligible depending on the number of athletes participating in the sport. For some sports, qualifying scores are needed, so not everyone who receives a gold medal is eligible. This includes golf, track, swimming, and bowling.  

We try our best to give priority to athletes who have not already had the opportunity to attend a national or international competition. However, there are instances where athletes who have been before are selected again.  

Team Montana has a required 4:1 Athlete-to-coach ratio. Most athletes must be able to function within this ratio; however, depending on the quota we receive, we may have the flexibility to select some athletes that require more assistance.  

Similar to athletes, coaches go through an application and selection process. To qualify, coaches must be active, Level 2-certified coaches with Special Olympics Montana OR willing to become certified. LINK TO COACH APPLICATION.  

Every team sport has a roster size maximum. Please refer to the SOMT Sports Department for roster size information for team sports.  

Unified teams 

If all members of the team are 18 years of age or older as of June 16, 2026, the age gap between the youngest and oldest players cannot exceed 20 years.  

If anyone on the team is 16 or 17 years old as of June 16, 2026, the age gap between the youngest and oldest players cannot exceed 5 years.  

Traditional teams  

No age gap requirements are enforced.  

No. All teams must go through the same process to be nominated and selected to advance to the USA Games or World Games. There is no guarantee your team will be selected or have a spot in the quota granted to SOMT. There may be fundraising responsibilities. 

No. All athletes who wish to advance to higher competitions must compete at the designated qualifying state level event to be considered for nomination and advancement.  

No. An athlete may be nominated but will go through Team Trials (World Games) and the advancement process designated by the state office or SOI to be selected for Special Olympics USA (World Games) or Team Montana (USA Games).  

There may be fundraising responsibilities for members of the delegation when traveling to USA Games.