Chicago has always been the heartbeat of gay basketball, and this September it will pulse louder than ever. The National Gay Basketball Association (NGBA) is returning to its birthplace for a weekend of hoops, hugs, and history at the 35th Anniversary of the LGBTQ Basketball National Championships and the 20th Anniversary of the NGBA itself.
From September 19–21, 2025, the city will welcome the Coady Roundball Classic (a.k.a. the Chicago Hoops Classic) with 52 teams, 450 players, and more than 200 fans, family members, and friends. With 10 divisions—including all-gender and women’s+— NGBA Executive Director Michelle King has assembled a dedicated team with Navi Husky as the Tournament Director and Juice Husky as the Head Referee. This team has ensure there’s a court for every level of play, from fierce competitors chasing championship rings to those just grateful for a reason to lace up and laugh with old friends.
The weekend is more than just basketball. It’s a reunion, a celebration, and a love letter to community:
- Thursday kicks things off with an early arrival event—because we all know the best stories start before the games even do.
- Friday night features the player check-in party and the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, honoring the Class of 2025: Ajay Rutledge, Benjamin Borgardus, and Matthew DeLeon.
- Saturday is game time. Starting at 8 a.m., teams will hit the hardwood for three games each, setting the stage for Sunday’s elimination rounds. Sure, there’s sweat and strategy—but let’s be honest, basketball is just the excuse for this family reunion.
- Sunday is for those who still have the legs (and the coffee) to chase the ultimate prize: the championship rings.
The Hall of Fame weekend will also welcome back HOF inductees from the last 25 years, with more than 15 Hall of Famers expected to attend. Among them will be Sam Coady, founder of the Chicago Hoops Classic in 1991, and Mark Chambers, founder of the NGBA in 2002.
As always, this tournament isn’t just about points on the scoreboard—it’s about love, legacy, and laughter. For 35 years, LGBTQ basketball has built more than teams; it has built family. And this September in Chicago, that family comes home again.
