LIVERPOOL will host the Special Olympics GB Summer Games in 2021.

This sporting spectacular will be held in Liverpool city centre from 3 to 7 August, 2021.

Venues for the games include Greenbank Sports Academy, Wavertree Athletics Village and ACC Liverpool with an opening and closing ceremony set to be held at Sefton Park and the Echo Arena.

More than 2,000 athletes will take part in a wide range of sports including athletics, boccia, football, gymnastics, swimming and the motor activities training programme for people with multiple cognitive disabilities.

Special Olympics GB is the largest registered charity providing year-round sports training and competitions for people with learning disabilities.

In the UK more than 10,000 are registered annually through around 150 volunteer-led local clubs and 19 regions.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “As a city we have a belief in the power of sport, physical activity and events to transform lives and to inspire people to fulfil their potential, regardless of the nature of their disability.

“Liverpool will deliver an inspirational event that provides everyone involved with ‘the time of their life’ including athletes and their families, spectators, volunteers, officials, partners and everyone watching who can be inspired by these memorable moments.

“Liverpool’s cultural offer will make these games a true celebration of disability sport.

"From the delivery of an exciting Opening Ceremony at the Echo Arena to a Families Programme that includes some of the biggest names in culture and the arts, including some amazing artistic commissions, Liverpool will reset the bar for what these games mean and how society treats the issue of intellectual disability.”

The news comes as Liverpool prepares to host of major events including Netball World Cup in 2019 and the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in 2022.

Special Olympics GB’s chairman Murton Mann said: “We are thrilled to be heading to Liverpool in 2021.

"We expect in the region of 2,000 athletes and 500 voluntary coaches - supported by a further 500 volunteers and estimated 5,000 family members – to visit Liverpool in the summer of 2021 for our biggest national event which takes place every four years.

“We are looking forward to the support of the people of Liverpool and businesses of the city at this very significant sporting event.

"We are sure that the great City of Liverpool will provide a very successful and hugely memorable event for our athletes, their families, coaches and volunteers.

“The people of Liverpool are well known for their warm embrace and love of sport.

"So, what better host venue for our Special Olympics GB athletes to enjoy this landmark event in the lives. Liverpool is the most welcoming and inclusive city and we are proud to be heading there for our National Games.

“The economic benefit of hosting our National Games in Sheffield in 2017 was over £3.2m and we hope that Liverpool will enjoy similar benefits in addition to the magical and priceless atmosphere this Special Olympics’ event will create.”