On November 15, 2025, the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics—an international sports event for top athletes who are Deaf or hard of hearing—will open in Japan. Held every four years, this is the first-ever Deaflympics to be hosted in Japan. As a Total Support Member, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is proud to sponsor the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, and support athletes and staff by providing communication devices free of charge, along with a dedicated help desk to support device use.
Here’s an event guide to get the most out of this thrilling global competition.
Deaf athletes comes to Japan to compete for gold
Beginning with the Opening Ceremony at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on November 15, competitions will be held over 12 days until November 26, across various venues—from the heart of Tokyo to scenic areas in other parts of Japan, such as Shizuoka Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture, and Izu Oshima Island.
Marking the 100th anniversary of the Games, the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics will feature 21 sports, with around 6,000 athletes participating, including 3,000 from 70 to 80 countries and territories. Except for some events that use visual cues like lights or flags instead of sound, the rules are generally the same as those used in the Olympics. That means spectators can easily enjoy world-class athleticism and breathtaking performances up close.
Even better—admission is free and no advance registration is required for most competitions (except for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies).
Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics Emblem
The official emblem for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics was selected through a vote among Tokyo-area secondary school students, including those from schools for the Deaf.
The design originated from a concept created by students of Tsukuba University of Technology, Japan’s only national university for students with hearing and visual impairments.
The theme of the emblem is a circle that stands for connection between people. The emblem contains three motifs: a hand—a representative symbol of the deaf community—and a circle and flower. The emblem expresses people getting in touch with the competition and the Deaflympics, and how mutual exchange and communities fostered by the Deaflympics connect like a circle. And as the circle expands, flowers of the future bloom.
The 25th Deaflympics marks a 100 year legacy
While the Paralympics first began in 1960, the Deaflympics traces its origins back to 1924, when the first International Silent Games were held in Paris, France, with nine participating countries. The event, organized by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), later added a Winter edition in 1949.
In 1955, the International Olympic Committee officially recognized the Deaflympics as a competition that meets Olympic standards, establishing an alternating schedule with the Olympics every two years. Over time, new sports were added, and in 2001, the Games were officially renamed the “Deaflympics.” That same year, the Rome Games saw participation from over 70 countries—a testament to its growing global presence.
Use of International Sign ensures fairness and connection
The Deaflympics are unique in that Deaf communities around the world have built and organized the Games from the ground up. Everything—from communication to signaling—is centered on visual accessibility. The official language of the Games is International Sign (IS) to ensure athletes, referees and staff all receive the same information. This shared language also encourages deep interaction and friendship among athletes across borders.
During events, visual cues replace sound, and lights or flags signal starts, while LED displays, boards, and gestures convey progress and results. To maintain fairness, athletes must compete without hearing aids or cochlear implants. They must also meet criteria such as an inability to hear normal speech (55 dB or greater). In designated competition areas, hearing devices are strictly prohibited—creating a field where all athletes rely solely on visual signals to perform at their best.
Each Deaflympic sport has its own system for conveying signals without sound. Here are a few examples:
1. Athletics
Starts are indicated by lights or flags attached to the starting blocks. Race progress and laps are visually displayed on boards.
2. Cycling (Road)
Flags and boards are used to signal starts and laps. During races, warnings about hazards or route changes are communicated visually through flags, boards and referee hand signals.
3. Football (Soccer)
Referees use gestures and assistant referees use flags to signal plays and calls. Substitutions, added time and fouls are also shown on boards or through signs.
4. Golf
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are prohibited within designated areas. Course and progress information is shared via visual boards, maps and signs.
Watching the Games: Focus on what can be seen
When attending the Deaflympics, the key is to follow the visual cues, including lights for the start, flags and LED boards for progress and results and referees’ gestures for rulings.
Tip 1: Follow the visual signal flow
With your eyes, follow the start lights, referee gestures and scoreboards. Races begin with visual signals, so once you spot the start, focus on the athletes’ movements, strategy and silent communication. It’s a unique kind of intensity that’s purely visual.
Tip 2: Cheer in a “visible” way
Applause in sign language or waving hands in the air are common ways to cheer—known as visual applause. These gestures allow people to reach the athletes while respecting Deaf sports culture.
Watch the Deaflympics live at the Venue, or online
No advance reservation is required for in-person viewing. Check the competition schedule and venue information in advance, follow event etiquette, and use public transportation to reach the venues. (Note that crowd control measures may apply when there is congestion).
If you can’t attend in person, don’t worry—the official YouTube channel will stream events live.
Official Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics
YouTube Channel
Full information on the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics
For detailed information on the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, please see the Spectator Information Page on the Official Website. There’s also a handy Spectator Guide e-book!
Two SoftBank employees will also compete as athletes in the Deaflympics: Kota Tanaka in Cycling (Road) and Kumiko Uezono in (Orienteering).
The event promises an exciting showcase of competition in front of large crowds.
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(Posted on November 12, 2025)
by SoftBank News Editors
