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Teams compete in 18th O'Hare Plane Pull for Special Olympics Illinois

More than 110 teams raised money for Special Olympics Illinois on Saturday by pulling a United Airlines 737 plane over a distance of 12 feet. Now in its 18th year, the O’Hare Plane Pull pushes teams of up to 20 people to raise at least $1,000 before pulling a plane, weighing more than 95,000 pounds.
Teams compete in 18th O'Hare Plane Pull for Special Olympics Illinois

Participants pull a United Airlines 737 plane during the 18th O’Hare Plane Pull at the United Airlines Cargo Bay, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. The competition entailed moving a plane 12 feet as a way to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.

Competitors on 120 teams raised more than $230,000 for Special Olympics Illinois Saturday by pulling a United Airlines 737 plane.

Now in its 18th year, the O’Hare Plane Pull pushes teams of up to 20 people to raise at least $1,000 before pulling a plane, weighing more than 95,000 pounds, over a distance of 12 feet. Funds directly benefit Special Olympics organizational programming for athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state.

The competition is presented by United Airlines and co-hosted by the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run and the Chicago Department of Aviation.

Participants pull a United Airlines 737 plane during the 18th O’Hare Plane Pull at the United Airlines Cargo Bay, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. The competition entailed moving a plane 12 feet as a way to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.

A participant gets ready to pull the plane during the 18th O’Hare Plane Pull at the United Airlines Cargo Bay, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. The competition entailed moving a plane 12 feet as a way to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.

Stephen Katz, an honorary team captain and frequent participant, helps a team pull a plane during the 18th O’Hare Plane Pull at the United Airlines Cargo Bay, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Teams had to pull United Airlines 737 planes as a way to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.

Olivia Kocerka, 3, and her dad, Michael Kocerka, pull a plane during the 18th O’Hare Plane Pull at the United Airlines Cargo Bay, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Teams had to pull United Airlines 737 planes as a way to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.

A worker sits in a plane as participants pull it during the 18th O’Hare Plane Pull at the United Airlines Cargo Bay, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. The competition entailed moving a plane 12 feet as a way to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.

Participants pull a plane during the 18th O’Hare Plane Pull at the United Airlines Cargo Bay, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Teams had to pull United Airlines 737 planes as a way to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.

Special Olympics athlete Sophia Snow celebrates with participants after they pulled a plane during the 18th O’Hare Plane Pull at the United Airlines Cargo Bay, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Teams had to pull United Airlines 737 planes as a way to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.

Participants high-five after pulling a plane during the 18th O’Hare Plane Pull at the United Airlines Cargo Bay, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Teams had to pull United Airlines 737 planes as a way to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.

Participants cheer after pulling a plane during the 18th O’Hare Plane Pull at the United Airlines Cargo Bay, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Teams had to pull United Airlines 737 planes as a way to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.

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It was published on September 26, 2026 and last updated on October 9, 2026. The time of the story is shown in your own time zone on the page.

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