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For more information, go to newyorkramblers.org.

Ski Bums
It's free to sign up for this social club, which organizes local events and group trips to resorts around the world.

gay sports leagues nyc

Gotham Volleyball

Founded in 1981, Gotham Volleyball is NYC's largest LGBTQ+ sports organization, offering recreational and competitive play for all skill levels.

All Skill Levels700+ MembersYear-Round

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NY Gay Flag Football

With 18 teams and over 200 members, NYGFL offers spring and fall seasons of inclusive flag football with a player draft system.

Biannual Seasons200+ MembersAll Welcome

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NYC Pride Hockey Alliance

Founded in 1999, NYCPHA provides a discrimination-free environment for the LGBTQ+ community to play ice hockey at Chelsea Piers.

Chelsea PiersAnnual TournamentAll Levels

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Big Apple Softball

Founded in 1977, this historic softball league offers both competitive and recreational divisions with over 600 members.

Central ParkMultiple DivisionsSpring/Summer

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Pride Basketball NYC

New York's first official basketball league for the LGBTQIA+ community, offering inclusive competitive play for all experience levels.

Various NYC LocationsAll Skill LevelsYear-Round

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Big Apple Dodgeball

A high-energy co-ed dodgeball league for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers and allies, featuring seasonal tournaments and social events.

Co-ed TeamsYear-RoundMultiple Locations

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Gotham Knights RFC

NYC's inclusive rugby club welcomes players of all orientations and skill levels, with regular practices and social events.

Manhattan FieldsBoot CampsTournaments

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NY Ramblers Soccer

Founded in 1980, the Ramblers are one of America's first openly gay soccer clubs, offering practice, training, and league play.

All Experience LevelsYear-RoundWeekend Matches

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NY Aquatics Water Polo

TNYA's water polo program offers inclusive training and competition for all skill levels at pools throughout the city.

Weekly PracticesMultiple LocationsAll Levels

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Village Lions RFC

An LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby club that fields both men's and women's teams in NYC regional competitions and social tournaments.

Season: Fall/SpringWest VillageAll Welcome

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Big Apple Kickball

A fun, social kickball league for the LGBTQ+ community with seasonal leagues, tournaments, and post-game social gatherings.

Beginner-FriendlySocial FocusSeasonal Play

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Brooklyn Blades

Women's ice hockey club providing an inclusive environment for players of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced athletes.

Women-FocusedAll Skill LevelsBrooklyn

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Front Runners New York

NYC's premier LGBTQ+ running club founded in 1979, with over 1000 members enjoying weekly fun runs and social events.

Central ParkAll PacesYear-Round

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Team NY Aquatics

The largest LGBTQ+ aquatics team worldwide offers swimming, water polo, diving, and artistic swimming for all abilities.

Multiple Pools500+ MembersDaily Practices

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OutCycling

NYC's LGBTQ+ cycling network offers group rides and training for all levels, plus youth programs through Fearless Flyers.

Spring/Summer/FallAll Skill LevelsAnnual Pride Ride

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Metropolitan Tennis Group

Founded in the mid-1980s, MTG offers organized tennis play, social events, and competitions for LGBTQ+ tennis enthusiasts.

Various CourtsAll LevelsYear-Round

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CRUX Climbing

An LGBTQ+ rock climbing community that hosts regular meetups at indoor climbing gyms across NYC and outdoor trips.

Indoor GymsOutdoor TripsNew Climber Nights

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Metro Wrestling

NYC's gay-friendly freestyle wrestling club for adults, with members competing locally and in international tournaments.

All Experience LevelsFreestyle WrestlingCompetition

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NY Gay Pool League

The country's oldest and largest LGBTQ+ pool league, with weekly matches at venues throughout NYC including Boxers and Stonewall Inn.

Various Venues8-Ball & 9-BallWeekly Matches

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Pink Pong Foundation

An LGBTQ+ table tennis organization based in Queens, open to players of all ages and skill levels in a fun, competitive environment.

Sunnyside, QueensAll AgesAll Skill Levels

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Trans Boxing

A fitness and self-defense program that creates safe training spaces for the transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary community.

All LevelsFocus on SafetyCommunity-Based

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Garden State Gay Bowling

An LGBTQ+ bowling organization serving the NYC metro area with leagues and tournaments for all skill levels and abilities.

Weekly LeaguesNYC Metro AreaAll Welcome

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OutBox Fight Club

LGBTQ+ focused boxing training and fitness in a safe, welcoming environment, offering classes for all experience levels.

ManhattanTraining ClassesBeginners Welcome

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Queer Archery League

NYC's inclusive archery organization offering instruction, practice sessions, and competitive events in a supportive environment.

Multiple LocationsBeginner ClassesEquipment Provided

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Ski Bums

NYC's LGBTQ+ ski and snowboard club organizes trips to resorts worldwide for all skill levels, with local events in the off-season.

Winter SeasonInternational TripsAll Levels

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BLAZE Backpacking

A group for gay men in NYC who crave outdoor adventures, specializing in backpacking and backcountry camping trips.

Multiple DestinationsWeekend TripsAll Skill Levels

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Get Out And Trek

GOAT creates active trips and outdoor adventures for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, challenging the inner athlete while building friendships.

Various ActivitiesOutdoor FocusGroup Adventures

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Knickerbocker Sailing

An LGBTQ+ boating club encouraging members who support diversity to enjoy getting out on the waters of greater NYC.

SeasonalNY HarborAll Experience Levels

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City Cruisers

A gay men's motorcycle club with diverse bike styles, meeting monthly to ride with a motto of "Brotherhood, Loyalty and Pride."

Monthly RidesAll Bike TypesCharity Events

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Fast N Fab

New York's LGBTQ+ bicycle club holds weekly rides and social events, including monthly dinners hosted by members at favorite restaurants.

Weekly RidesSocial FocusMonthly Dinners

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Sundance Outdoor

An LGBTQ+ outdoor adventure group offering hiking, camping, kayaking, and other nature activities for all experience levels.

Various ActivitiesAll LevelsYear-Round

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Gay Outdoors

A national network with a strong NYC presence offering outdoor adventures and social activities for the LGBTQ+ community.

HikingCampingSocial Events

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NYC Gaymers

An inclusive gaming community hosting regular meetups, tournaments, and social events for LGBTQ+ gamers and allies in NYC.

Video GamesBoard GamesRegular Meetups

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OUT-FIT CrossFit

An LGBTQ+ CrossFit group hosting regular workouts in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, with pride-inspired workout gear available.

Multiple LocationsAll Fitness LevelsPride Gear

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Mark Fisher Fitness

Known as "the fitness home for unicorns," MFF offers LGBTQ+-inclusive fitness classes and personal training with a theatrical flair.

Hell's KitchenGroup ClassesPersonal Training

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Queer Yoga Collective

A community-run organization providing accessible, affirming yoga classes and wellness spaces for the LGBTQ+ community.

Multiple StudiosAll LevelsSliding Scale

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The Collab NYC

An LGBTQ-owned wellness collective offering diverse fitness classes, mental health services, and community programming.

BrooklynHolistic WellnessCommunity Focus

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LGBTQ+ Mental Health Run

A weekly running group focused on physical and mental health for LGBTQ+ individuals, with post-run discussions and peer support.

Weekly RunsMental Health FocusAll Welcome

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Pride Moves

LGBTQ+-centered dance fitness classes combining cardio, strength training, and choreography in an inclusive, affirming environment.

Dance FitnessMultiple LocationsAll Levels

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Front Runners Pride Run

A landmark 4-mile race in Central Park celebrating LGBTQ+ pride since 1982, with over 10,000 finishers setting a Guinness World Record.

Late JuneCentral ParkAnnualCharity Beneficiary

Event Information

OutCycling Pride Ride

An annual cycling event with routes of varying distances (30, 50, and 65 miles) through New York and New Jersey, celebrating unity in the LGBTQ+ community.

JuneMultiple RoutesAnnualAll Levels

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Chelsea Challenge

The NYCPHA's annual LGBTQ+ and ally-friendly ice hockey tournament at Chelsea Piers, now in its 20+ year with partnership from the NHL.

Memorial Day WeekendChelsea PiersAnnualMultiple Divisions

Event Information

LezVolley

An annual LGBTQ+ beach volleyball tournament on Cherry Grove, Fire Island that welcomes the queer community (excluding cis-men).

SummerFire IslandAnnualBeach Volleyball

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NYC LGBT Sports Network Expo

Biannual networking event where over 20 LGBTQ+ sports organizations gather to recruit new members, with opportunities to learn about and join diverse activities.

Spring & FallNetworkingMultiple OrganizationsFree Entry

Event Information

IGLA Championships

The International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics Championships, hosted periodically in NYC, featuring swimming, water polo, diving, and artistic swimming competitions.

InternationalMultiple Aquatic SportsCompetitionTNYA Hosted

Event Information

Join the Community

New York City offers one of the world's most vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ sports and recreation scenes.

Whatever the case, these fun, friendly NYC gay sports leagues offer a decidedly more authentic sporting experience than you'll find in one of our local gay sportsbars.

RECOMMENDED: Get outdoors in NYC!

Big Apple Dodgeball, Bowling and Kickball
Big Apple offers three different sports year-round and seasonally for coed teams.

(Source: Public Record Search)

In 1994, the fourth Gay Games was held here in New York during the commemorations of the 25th Anniversary of Stonewall. Membership gets you discounted rates for trips, which are open to public. For more information, go to bigapplesoftball.com or call 212-696-7327.

CRUX LGBTQ Rock Climbing NY
CRUX hosts weekly social climbing events open to participants of all levels.

NYC LGBT Sports Network Upcoming Events

OUTNYC

Your comprehensive guide to life, events, and community in New York City.

Even though the association initially only offered softball, the league was so successful that it quickly expanded to offer volleyball, bowling, pool and other sports.

All games are on Saturday or Sunday in or near Manhattan. In memory of Mark Bingham, the biennial international LGBTQ+ rugby championship tournament is named the “Bingham Cup” since 2002.  For the past 22 years, the Bingham Cup has been held every other year, except in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, go to frny.org.

Gotham Knights Rugby Football Club
Since 2001, the sexy Gotham Knights have welcomed new and experienced ruggers to the scrum.

(Source: Website)

In 2018, Gotham Cheer was founded by Felipe Hernandez and Latoya Laflore (Source: Website, CBSNews).

In 2019, OOBNYC launched a new initiative called “NYC LGBT Sports Network.” (see our story for more details)

Inclusive LGBTQ+ Sports, Athletic and Recreational Organizations in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut Tri-State Metropolitan Area with websites (see separate list below for organizations without websites) (in alphabetical order):

  • Big Apple Recreational Sports League (Bowling, Dodgeball, Kickball) – Website
    • Big Apple Bowling League – Facebook
    • Big Apple Dodgeball League – Facebook
    • Big Apple Kickball League – Facebook
  • Big Apple Softball League – Website | Facebook
  • BLAZE Backpacking Gay Men of NYC (Backpacking/Hiking) – Website (MeetUp)
  • Brooklyn Blades Women’s Ice Hockey Club – Website
  • Cheer New York – Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
  • CRUX (Rock Climbing & Outdoor Activity) – Website
  • Front Runners New York (Running, Cross Country, Track & Field, Triathlons & More) – Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
  • Garden State Gay Bowling Organization – Website
  • Garden State Rainbow Sports – Website
  • Gay Men’s Hiking Group – Website (MeetUp)
  • Get Out And Trek (Hiking, Skiing & More) – Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
  • Gotham Cheer – Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
  • Gotham Knights Rugby Football Club – Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
  • Gotham Volleyball – Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
  • Knickerbocker Sailing Association – Website | Facebook
  • Metro Gay Wrestling Alliance – Website
  • Metropolitan Tennis Group – Website
  • NYC Gay Hockey Association – Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
  • NYC Pride Basketball League (formerly NYC Gay Basketball League) – Website
  • NY Gay Football League – Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
  • NY Gay Pool League – Website
  • NY Ramblers Soccer Club – Website | Facebook
  • NY Sunday Bowling League – Website
  • NY Tritons (Crossbows, Outdoor Sports and Collectibles) – Website
  • OutCycling (Biking/Cycling) – Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
  • OutFit (Cross Fit) – Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
  • Pink Pong (Ping Pong & Table Tennis) – Website
  • Ski Bums – Website
  • Staten Island Pride Center Bowling – Website
  • Sundance Outdoor Adventure Society (Hiking) – Website
  • Team New York Aquatics (TNYA) (Swimming, Water Polo, Diving, Synchronized Swimming) – Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
  • Times Squares Square Dancing Club – Website
  • TransBoxing – Website | Instagram

LGBTQ+ Community Organizations in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut Metropolitan Area (in alphabetical order):

Sports & Recreation

Discover New York City's vibrant LGBTQ+ sports and recreation community

Find Your Team in NYC

New York City boasts one of the world's most diverse and inclusive LGBTQ+ sports scenes, with dozens of organizations catering to all interests, skill levels, and identities.

(Source: Felipe Hernandez) 

Also in 2001, Gotham Knights Rugby Football Club was also founded.  The club was founded by Scott Glaessgen, Toby Butterfield and others in memory of Mark Bingham who died heroically on September 11, 2001. Members also pay a reduced rate for MTG playing events. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

Discover Time Out original video

“I really felt like I was the only homosexual in my entire high school, I thought I was the only homosexual in the world.” – Tom Waddell, founder of the Gay Games

On National Coming Out Day in 2022 (October 11, 2022), we produced an event with our network to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Gay Games in 1982, the legacy of Tom Waddell, but the history of the LGBTQ+ community proudly and openly engaging in sports dates back before 1982.

(Source: Website)

Period from the 1982 Gay Games to 1994 Gay Games in New York

In 1982, the Gay Games was founded by Tom Waddell, first held in San Francisco.  The sports at the first Gay Games were (in alphabetical order): basketball, billiards, bowling, cycling, diving, golf, marathon, physique, powerlifting, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball and wrestling.  The Gay Games has been held every 4 years since, with the second Gay Games held in San Francisco in 1986 and the third Gay Games held in Vancouver, Canada in 1990.

Spring (February through May) and fall (September through December) seasons are available. (Source: Website, Website)

In 2017, Get Out and Trek was founded by Keith Oberlin. The fall season runs from mid-September to mid-November. (Source: Website) 

In 1992, Metro Gay Wrestling Alliance was founded.

(Source: Jeff Kagan) 

In 2008, Big Apple Recreational Sports League was founded (Source: Board of Directors in 2022) 

In 2010, OutCycling was founded by Graham Weinstein and Dieter Klemke. Sign up fast when registration is open—spots go quickly. A member of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (nagaaasoftball.org), the BASL includes both competitive and recreational teams.