About

Special Spectators, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, creates magical days for seriously ill children and their families at sporting events across the United States.  We pursue our mission, in partnership with our collegiate partners, by providing tickets to games and designing robust days filled with special surprises and experiences in and around the stadium.  Special Spectators is designed to create fun for the entire family and provide a pause from the difficulties they face battling a loved one’s illness.

Since 2002, we've hosted about 6,000 patients, parents and siblings at roughly 185 games - mostly college football.

Our game day events provide the quintessential Saturday experience complete with tailgate parties, mascots, cheerleaders and marching bands. Special Spectators doesn't just TAKE kids to games, but makes them a PART of the games by providing special access to people and areas of the stadium that are not accessible to most fans. Our youngsters tour locker rooms, meet coaches and walk on the field during a time out for a stadium announcement that introduces the kids and asks the crowd to welcome the children to the game.  This typically results in a standing ovation.