Co-op Sponsors Olympics

Co-op and Co-op Media Network have been named as the official sponsors of the Special Olympics Great Britain National Summer Games 2026, alongside Coca-Cola, with the event bringing together 1,200 athletes. The retailer will be supplying own-brand food and drink to support the volunteers, athletes and organisers at the games.

Sponsorship Details

The sponsorship is part of Co-op's commitment to help communities access good food, according to the Retail Gazette. One of the athletes taking part in the event is Alex Rae, who is an employee at Co-op's Rosehill Drive store and has been involved in the games since 2009.

Rae reportedly said that Special Olympics GB is a fantastic organisation that has given him opportunities to compete, grow and achieve things he never thought possible. He also stated that Co-op's support is helping more people understand what Special Olympics GB is all about and what athletes with an intellectual disability can achieve.

Campaign Relaunch

Alongside its sponsorship, the retailer is also relaunching its 'meals that matter' campaign, which first launched last year in collaboration with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and stars Special Olympic GB athletes. The campaign has raised over £200,000 since its launch last year.

The retailer will also make a donation to the event through the purchase of a food deal that includes Coca-Cola products. Laura Baxter MBE, chief executive of Special Olympics GB, said that it's been fantastic to work with Co-op and Co-op Media Network over the last 18 months through Meals That Matter.

Partnership

Baxter also stated that enhancing this relationship through a National Summer Games partnership is a fantastic step forward, and they're very excited to be working with the team to bring this to life. The Special Olympics GB aims to ensure that people who have an “intellectual disability” are “valued and taken seriously”.

The collaboration between Co-op and Special Olympics GB has been ongoing for 18 months, with the retailer championing the athletes in its stores and customers being inspired by everything they achieve. The Games will culminate in Birmingham next week, with Co-op's support playing a significant role in the event.