Rice University once again served as host institution and title sponsor for the Genuine Cup, welcoming a record number of neurodiverse athletes from around the world for the 2026 tournament and reinforcing its commitment to inclusion, accessibility and community engagement.
Held July 27-Aug. 1 on campus including Rice Stadium, the Genuine Cup brought together 53 teams representing 54 countries for a week of competition, cultural exchange and connection among athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. The event continued the tournament’s rapid growth, expanding from 12 teams representing four countries in its inaugural year in 2024 to 38 teams from 22 countries in 2025 before reaching this year’s record participation.
The week also included the Genuine Connect event, a forum that convened educators, business leaders, advocates, policymakers, families and students to explore ways to expand employment opportunities and inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism.
“At Rice University, we are deeply committed to inclusivity and community engagement,” President Reginald DesRoches said during Genuine Connect. “Hosting the Genuine Connect event aligns perfectly with our mission to create an environment where everyone can thrive. We believe that by working together, we can break down the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in all aspects of life, including sports.”
For organizers, the Genuine Cup is about far more than soccer.
“The tournament brings together teams that already exist around the world to play on a global stage to draw awareness to inclusion for the intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism community,” said Kathleen Sledge, volunteer special events coordinator for the Genuine Cup. “Soccer is really just the platform. You have billions and billions of soccer fans around the world, so it’s the platform for advancing that agenda.”
Sledge said Rice’s campus has become an integral part of the event’s success.
“Rice is the best. It’s so amazing to have Rice as a partner for this,” she said. “It makes it kind of like our own Olympic Village. We have everything we need right here at Rice. We have fantastic facilities, everyone is staying together, enjoying meals together, and we’re not spread out all over town.”
She also pointed to the university’s central location in Houston as another advantage.
“It's such a beautiful part of the city,” Sledge said. “We’re right in the middle of everything, with museums, the zoo and the Museum District nearby. It’s perfectly located. It brings us together in a different way, and y’all are just so fantastic to work with.”
Beyond the competition, organizers said the atmosphere of the event is what leaves the greatest impression.
“It is the athletes themselves, and just being around the event and seeing how genuine everyone is and how inclusive it is,” said Bjorn Thompson, the Genuine Cup’s director of sponsorship and fundraising. “Everyone is so supportive of one another — other teams scoring goals, other teams congratulating them. It’s just a very different, very kind of magical feel.”
Thompson credited the university’s partnership with helping make the tournament possible.
“It wouldn’t be possible without Rice, without President DesRoches, without all the custodial staff and all the athletic staff,” he said. “Rice makes this event possible and helps us spread the Genuine message.”
Learn more about the tournament at www.genuinecup.org.