35th NGBA National Championships – Chicago 2025
Full Weekend Recap – From Saturday’s Round Robin Battles to Sunday’s Champions
The 35th National Gay Basketball Championships returned triumphantly to Chicago—the birthplace of LGBTQ+ basketball—with 52 teams, more than 450 athletes, and 200 family and fans packing Wintrust Sports Complex for a weekend of competition, community, and celebration. With 10 divisions of all-gender and women’s+ play, the tournament delivered everything from nail-biters to blowouts, reunions to first-timers, and plenty of moments that will be retold for years.
SATURDAY ROUND ROBIN RECAP
Saturday’s round robin showcased the depth of talent across the country. Every team played three games to determine seeding for Sunday’s elimination brackets, and players brought their best from the opening tip.
ALL-GENDER A DIVISION: Rockdogs & Stormers Make Statements
The Rockdogs A asserted themselves early, finishing undefeated (3–0) and surviving a gritty 33–32 win o
ver Flatline Reloaded.
The Midwest Stormers 1 answered with offensive firepower of their own, highlighted by a 69–52 explosion over Coastal Elite.
ALL-GENDER B DIVISION: Nashville Peacocks Fly High
No team looked more dominant than the Nashville Peacocks, who finished Saturday with a +50 point differential.
Army of Happy kept pace, posting a huge day with 148 total points—most in the division.
ALL-GENDER B+ DIVISION: A Tight Race at the Top
NYC RimCity impressed with a +26 margin and steady two-way play, while
SoCal Ballers delivered one of the highest-scoring victories of the day with a 73–50 showcase.
ALL-GENDER C DIVISION: Balanced, Deep, and High-Scoring
Rain City Hoopers and NYC HoopDreams went undefeated, but the Seattle Subs stole attention with a massive 73-point performance.
The C division proved to be the most evenly matched field of the weekend.
ALL-GENDER D DIVISION: Unicorns Stampede the Field
The Atlanta Unicorns put together one of Saturday’s most dominant runs, finishing with a +43 point differential and holding opponents in check with stout defense.
WOMEN’S+ DIVISIONS: Strong Starts
Across the Board
In Women’s+ A, The District W+ finished 3–0, while Virginia She-Wolves posted the highest score of the division at 63–50.
In the Women’s+ B pools, Royalty and Seattle Storm Chasers each went undefeated, setting the stage for Sunday showdowns.
SUNDAY – CHAMPIONS CROWNED
After Saturday’s battles set the brackets, Sunday brought tension, heroics, and championship magic. Ten divisions entered—ten champions emerged.
ALL-GENDER A CHAMPION
Rockdogs A (65) defeated Midwest Stormers (62) – Overtime Thriller
In a game worthy of the A-Division legacy, the Rockdogs edged the Stormers in a dramatic overtime finish to capture the national title.
ALL-GENDER B+ CHAMPION
SoCal Ballers (64) defeated NYC RimCity (54)
The Ballers’ high-powered offense stayed hot, earning them the B+ crown over a tough RimCity squad.
ALL-GENDER B – UPPER DIVISION CHAMPION
Nashville Peacocks (57) defeated The District B (54)
The Peacocks completed their dominant weekend with a tight, well-earned championship win.
ALL-GENDER B – LOWER DIVISION CHAMPION
Army of Happy (56) defeated SoCal Jurassics B (45)
Army of Happy took control early and never looked back to secure the Lower B title.
ALL-GENDER C – UPPER DIVISION CHAMPION
Rain City Hoopers (38) defeated Seattle Subs (36)
A defensive chess match went down to the wire, with Rain City sealing the championship by a single basket.
ALL-GENDER C – MID DIVISION CHAMPION
The District C (59) defeated LA Nightmare (29)
The District dominated from tip to buzzer to claim the Mid C championship in decisive fashion.
ALL-GENDER C – LOWER DIVISION CHAMPION
Boston Shamrocks (38) defeated Legendz X (30)
Boston’s steady play earned them the Lower C division title.
ALL-GENDER D CHAMPION
Atlanta Unicorns (48) defeated SF JigglyPuffs (37)
The Unicorns capped off a near-perfect weekend with a strong championship performance.
WOMEN’S+ DIVISION CHAMPIONS
Women’s+ A Champion
The District W+ – Win by Forfeit over Virginia Wolfpack W+
Women’s+ Lower B Champion
Nomadic Ballers (47) defeated RVA Rise (35)
A strong second half lifted the Nomadic Ballers to the Lower B championship.
Women’s+ Upper B Champion
Royalty (51) defeated Seattle Storm Chasers (35)
Royalty completed their undefeated weekend with a commanding 16-point championship win.
