The UK’s largest Boccia Open is returning to Newcastle this November, and this year’s event is set to be the biggest yet.
On Sunday 16 November 2025, North East disability sport charity Smile Through Sport will host its 12th Boccia Open at Sport Central, Northumbria University, welcoming 120 players and 60 volunteers from across the UK.
Competitors will travel from the North East, Yorkshire, Liverpool, Scotland and Surrey to take part in 19 separate competitions, featuring players with both physical and learning disabilities. Participants range from top-level England players to first-time competitors discovering Boccia for the very first time.
Boccia is a precision ball sport, originally designed for athletes with severe physical disabilities and now played at Paralympic level. It continues to grow in popularity across all abilities – and Smile Through Sport remains at the heart of that progress.
Founder and Paralympian Stephen Miller MBE said: “It’s incredible to see how the Smile Boccia Open has continued to grow every year. We’re thrilled to welcome even more players and volunteers this year, and to see the community that has built around this event. Bringing people together through sport is what Smile is all about.”
Adding to the excitement, this year’s Boccia Open is part of a wider week of inclusive sport in the North East. On Thursday 13 November 2025, Smile Through Sport is launching a brand-new school Boccia event in partnership with the Panathlon Challenge. Over 300 children will take part across two venues – Walker Activity Dome and Gateshead Leisure Centre – giving young people the opportunity to experience inclusive sport in action.
Rachel Miller, Managing Director of Smile Through Sport, said: “The partnership with Panathlon Foundation is a fantastic addition to our Smile Boccia Open celebrations. It’s inspiring to see so many children getting involved, learning about Boccia, and understanding the power of inclusive sport.”
This year the events are support by the team from The Great Run Company.
Paul Foster, Chief Executive at The Great Run Company, said: “We are proud to support a fantastic local organisation, Smile Through Sport, whose work not only supports communities in the North East, but provides people of all ages with disabilities the chance to be active through sport.
“We’ve chosen Smile Through Sport as our official company charity for 2025 and 2026, and this week we’re helping at their School Boccia Events with 40 employees taking part in a volunteering give back day, which means Smile Through Sport can host their school event in two locations – Walker and Gateshead.
“We also have a team of volunteers from both The Great Run Company, and FilmNova, our TV production arm, volunteering at Smile Through Sport’s largest Boccia Open this Sunday at Northumbria University.”
