Volunteering at the School Games National Finals 2026
Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th September 2026
Loughborough University
Donington Park
Alvaston Park BMX Track
School Games National Finals 2026
The School Games National Finals 2026 is a biennial four-day multisport event for elite athletes of school age,
funded by Sport England National Lottery Funding and backed by all the Home Country Sports Councils and UK Sport.
This will be the 7th time the event has been held on the University campus,
having previously been held in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2024. We are thrilled to be back!
The event aims to create an inspirational and developmental environment where aspiring athletes can gain meaningful experiences that support their progression.
Alongside this, it promotes inclusion and celebrates diversity, helping to inspire more young people to take part and succeed in sport.
This year, junior national-ranking athletes will join with early-stage athletes, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds,
to have the chance to discover and demonstrate their potential.
The sports for 2026 are:
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Athletics
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Cricket
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3x3 Wheelchair Basketball
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Wheelchair Tennis
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Hockey
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Modern Pentathlon
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BMX Freestyle
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BMX Racing
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Netball
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Triathlon
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3x3 Basketball
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Join our Team of Volunteers!
To successfully deliver the School Games National Finals 2026, we’re looking for around 200 volunteers to help make the event a fantastic experience for everyone involved.
We are looking for proactive, friendly and reliable volunteers to fulfil a variety of roles across the four days.
These include wayfinding, meet and greet, ticket desk support (checking and selling spectator tickets),
supporting athletes, assisting spectators and helping to create a welcoming, high-quality event experience.
This is not only a chance to be part of a major UK sporting event but also an opportunity to build skills and develop both personally and professionally.
We are committed to recruiting a diverse team of volunteers and supporting you to start or continue your volunteering journey beyond the School Games National Finals 2026.
We want volunteering to be accessible and inclusive and will make reasonable adjustments wherever possible.
Volunteers will receive event kit, a packed lunch during each shift and a souvenir thank-you gift.
Depending on your availability and allocated shifts, you may also have the opportunity to watch parts of the event as a spectator if you wish.
Requirements
Volunteers must be aged 16 or over on 3rd September 2026 (those under 18 will need a parent or guardian permission)
and able to travel to and from Loughborough University Campus* for each shift. Unfortunately,
due to scale of the event and number of athletes involved, we’re unable to provide accommodation for volunteers.
Volunteers are not expected to be available for all four days (we require a minimum of two half day shifts).
You will be allocated specific shifts based on your availability.
No specific experience is required for most roles. All volunteers will complete online safeguarding training before the event
and will receive a volunteer handbook and briefing in advance. You’ll be supported by a Volunteer Manager who will brief you on your specific role(s)
for each shift and be on hand if you need anything.
All volunteers will be asked to provide two references who will be contacted once your application has been processed.
*Most sports take place on Loughborough University Campus, but some are held at Donington Park and Alvaston Park BMX Track.
When registering, please indicate which locations you are able to travel to.
Next Steps
After applying, your application will be reviewed and we’ll be in touch with next steps.
If accepted, your two referees will be contacted and you’ll be allocated sports and shifts based on your availability.
You’ll need to accept your shifts to secure your place and move forward to training and briefings.
Click Here to register, or if you have any questions, email volunteers@schoolgames.org.uk
Further Infomation
We look forward to welcoming you to the team!