The National Gay Basketball Association (NGBA) is proud to announce that the 35th Anniversary of the National Gay Basketball Championships will return to its birthplace—Chicago, September 20–21, 2025.
Originally founded in 1991 as the Chicago Hoops Classic by Sam Coady, the tournament has been a cornersto
ne of LGBTQ+ basketball for over three decades. In 2006, the event was renamed the Coady Roundball Classic, and in 2015, it was officially entrusted to the NGBA as the National Championships. In recognition of this history, NGBA returns to Chicago every five years to honor the roots of the tournament.
The last Chicago championship took place in 2021, following the global COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. This year’s milestone event promises to be the largest yet, with 52 teams competing across 10 divisions, including a standalone Women’s+ Division, continuing NGBA’s commitment to inclusivity and representation.
Adding to the celebration, the weekend will also mark a historic moment with the induction of three outstanding players into the NGBA Hall of Fame, Class of 2025:
Benjamin Bogardus, Matthew DeLeon, and Ajay Rutledge
|
|
|
|
| Benjamin Bogardus | Matthew DeLeon | Ajay Rutledge |
This 35th anniversary not only commemorates the legacy of LGBTQ+ basketball but also highlights the enduring spirit of community, competition, and camaraderie that has carried the NGBA forward for generations.
See you in Chicago!
