The 2026 Polar Plunge Series
It’s the Ultimate Shiver!
Ready to take on the coldest challenge of the year? The 2026 Special Olympics Utah Polar Plunge Series is BACK — and the Ultimate Shiver is calling.
The Polar Plunge is Utah’s coolest winter tradition, with icy dips in Daybreak, Sandy, North Ogden, and Cedar City. Whether you plunge, cheer, or chicken out (we get it), you’re part of something that truly matters.
Every splash supports more than 6,000 Special Olympics Utah athletes, fueling year-round sports, leadership, health, and inclusion.
How It Works
Register:
$25 registration (applied to your fundraising goal) unlocks your personal or team fundraising page.
Fundraise:
Share your page and rally your people.
Plunge:
Pick your location and take the Ultimate Shiver.
All paid registrants receive a Polar Plunge headband.
2026 Fundraising Incentives
The more you raise, the cooler the gear.
$100 — Long-sleeve tee (Polar Plunge or Too Chicken)
$250 — Polar Plunge beach towel + water bottle
$500 — Polar Plunge hoodie + beanie
Top individual and team fundraisers will be recognized on Plunge Day.
What to Expect on Plunge Day
Every Polar Plunge includes:
Music, countdowns, and high-energy atmosphere
Costume contests
Prizes and incentive pickup
Warm drinks and great community connections
Photo ops and plenty of memories
No matter how you participate, you’ll feel the energy, fun, and community that make this the coolest event of winter.
2026 Polar Plunge Series
Daybreak Polar Plunge — “Where the Chill Begins”
Saturday, January 17 • 10 AM
Daybreak Community Center (South Jordan, UT)
Kick off the season with the first splash of the year. Costumes encouraged; fun guaranteed.
The Stadium Plunge at America First Field — “The Coldest Happy Hour Ever”
Thursday, January 29 • 5 PM
America First Field (Sandy, UT)
A one-of-a-kind evening plunge under the stadium lights. High energy, great music, and the newest addition to the series.
North Area Polar Plunge — “The Chill in the Hills”
Saturday, February 7 • 9 AM
North Shore Aquatic Center (North Ogden, UT)
A community favorite featuring DJ beats, cocoa bars, fire pits, and the always-spirited Pobanz Orthodontics crew.
South Area Polar Plunge — “The Polar Paradise”
Saturday, February 21 • 9 AM
Lake at the Hills (Cedar City, UT)
A beach-meets-blizzard vibe with snow machines, palm-tree photo ops, great music, and a whole lot of Southern Utah spirit.
Too Chicken to Plunge?
Join the fun without the icy dip. Register as a “Chicken,” fundraise, earn incentives, and be part of Plunge Day — no frozen toes required.
Ready to Take the Ultimate Shiver? Let’s go.
Questions?
Wendy Kelly • wendy@sout.org
2026 Polar Plunge Incentives
How to Register
Click “JOIN” and select the Polar Plunge date and location where you (or your team) want to participate.
Enter your information and fundraising goal. A $25 registration fee is required and will count toward your fundraising minimum.
After adding your registration to your cart, you’ll be able to join an existing team or create a new one.
Register additional team members if desired, or simply share your team page so others can sign up on their own.
Complete your order to access your fundraising page and start sharing it with friends, family, and supporters. Every dollar raised helps Special Olympics Utah reach our goal of supporting athletes of ALL abilities.
Too Chicken to Plunge?
Not everyone has to take the icy dive—register as a Chicken and support your team or athletes from the shore. Chickens raise funds, join the fun, and help power inclusion across Utah without ever stepping into the water.
Got questions? Reach out to Wendy at wendy@sout.org.
Check it out! Polar Plunge Toolkit
Our Ultimate Sponsors!
Daybreak Polar Plunge
The Stadium Polar Plunge @ America First Field
North Area Polar Plunge
South Area Polar Plunge
Taking the Plunge!
About Special Olympics Utah
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.