Gay Bowl XXVI brings 2,250 people to Minnesota

More than 2,250 athletes, referees and supporters are heading to Minnesota as one of America’s biggest LGBTQ+ sporting tournaments begins.

Gay Bowl XXVI runs from 8 to 11 October at the National Sports Center in Blaine, with teams from queer flag football leagues across the United States travelling to Minnesota for four days of competition.

It is the first time Minnesota has hosted the tournament. The Minnesota Gay Flag Football League is staging the event alongside the National Gay Flag Football League and the Minnesota Vikings, with additional Gay Bowl activities taking place in downtown Minneapolis.

Matches are free for spectators to watch, giving people who are not competing an opportunity to see the tournament as teams progress towards Sunday’s championship games.

Gay Bowl has developed into a major national meeting point for LGBTQ+ flag football. Minnesota’s own league currently has eight teams competing locally alongside three travelling teams, with further growth expected next year.

The tournament also arrives as flag football prepares for a much bigger international moment. The sport will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, giving a format already thriving within LGBTQ+ sporting communities a new global platform.

For Minnesota, this week is about hosting that community on its biggest domestic stage. Thousands of players and supporters will gather across Blaine and Minneapolis before Gay Bowl XXVI crowns its latest champions on Sunday.

Where to watch Gay Bowl XXVI

Gay Bowl XXVI takes place from 8 to 11 October at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota, with matches free for spectators to attend.

There is currently no confirmed UK broadcaster or official livestream announced for the tournament. Fans following from outside Minnesota should keep an eye on the official NGFFL and Minnesota Gay Flag Football League channels for any live coverage, highlights or championship-game streams announced during the weekend.