These are adult recreational sports leagues, but some of them exist because they’re queer space first: Stonewall Sports Twin Cities, the National Gay Flag Football League’s Minnesota chapter, the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance softball league, and others built and named around LGBTQ+ community from day one. Others are general clubs, open to everyone, that happen to be some of the most welcoming places in the state to play.
Across 22 sports and 31 organizations, from a bocce night at Xcel Energy Park to a rugby club that’s fielded teams since 1986, there’s a place to show up whether you’ve played for years or never picked up the equipment before.
Looking for something on the calendar instead? The Q Minnesota events calendar lists pickup nights, tournaments and one-offs across the state, and the business directory covers LGBTQ+-owned businesses in Minnesota.
01
Basketball
Women’s Silver Fox Basketball League
General club, not LGBTQ+ specific
Women 40 and up Beginners welcome YWCA Minneapolis
Run through YWCA Minneapolis’s women’s basketball program, the Silver Fox division is for women age 40 and up, with beginners welcome. Games run Wednesdays during the fall session at the Minneapolis Sports Center. YWCA Minneapolis describes its women’s leagues as “one of the few in the Twin Cities just for women,” built around camaraderie alongside competition.
Websiteywcampls.org/basketball
02
Bocce
Stonewall Sports: Bocce
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
Coed Beginners welcome Stonewall Sports
Stonewall Sports’ bocce league launched in 2020, the fourth sport the Twin Cities chapter added. It’s a coed league for LGBTQ+ people and allies, beginners welcome, playing Thursday evenings at Xcel Energy Park in northeast Minneapolis. Stonewall describes bocce as “a relaxed, congenial, but still exciting experience” and less physically demanding than some of its other sports.
WhereXcel Energy Park, NE MinneapolisEmailtwincities.bocce@stonewallsports.orgWebsiteStonewall Sports Twin Cities, bocce
03
Bowling
Stonewall Sports: Bowling
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
Coed Stonewall Sports
New for 2026, bowling is the newest sport Stonewall Sports Twin Cities has added, open to the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Stonewall Sports Twin Cities has run as an all-volunteer organization since 2016.
04
Broomball
Minnesota Broomball Program
General club, not LGBTQ+ specific
Women and nonbinary athletes All skill levels
The Minnesota Broomball Program is for women and nonbinary athletes at any skill level. The program describes itself as “dedicated to supporting women and non-binary athletes in learning, growing, and sharing their passion for broomball,” with a stated commitment to an inclusive environment.
Emailmnbroomballprogram@gmail.comWebsitemnbroomball.org
05
Climbing
Be Gay, Go Climb
LGBTQ+ ledCommunity first
Trans and queer climbers All skill levels
Be Gay, Go Climb is for trans and queer climbers of all backgrounds and skill levels. It’s still known online by its former name, OutClimb (the domain, outclimb.gay, still carries it). It meets at Minneapolis Bouldering Project, Minnesota Climbing Cooperative, and Vertical Endeavors Bloomington. The group offers everything from basic movement classes for beginners to advanced instruction in traditional lead climbing and outdoor anchor setup.
Emailinfo@outclimb.gayPhone(612) 440-9209Websiteoutclimb.gay
Queer Beta
LGBTQ+ ledCommunity first
LGBTQ+ climbers All ages All experience levels
Founded in 2019, Queer Beta is a bouldering and climbing group for LGBTQ+ climbers of all ages and experience levels, no prior climbing required. It holds monthly meetups at Minneapolis Bouldering Project, Minnesota Climbing Cooperative, and Vertical Endeavors locations in Bloomington and Minneapolis. Co-founder Benji Salinas has described the group’s aim as a space where, in his words, “you don’t even have to say anything, and people already know.”
Websiteinstagram.com/queerbeta
06
Cornhole
Stonewall Sports: Cornhole
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
Coed Stonewall Sports
Stonewall Sports’ cornhole league launched in 2021, the fifth sport the Twin Cities chapter added. It’s open to LGBTQ+ people and allies, playing Wednesday evenings at Sociable Cider Werks in northeast Minneapolis. Stonewall calls cornhole “the perfect relaxing sport to spend outside in the summer.”
WhereSociable Cider Werks, NE MinneapolisEmailtwincities.cornhole@stonewallsports.orgWebsiteStonewall Sports Twin Cities, cornhole
07
Dodgeball
Stonewall Sports: Dodgeball
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
Coed 21 and up Stonewall Sports
Stonewall Sports’ dodgeball league launched in 2019, playing Sunday evenings at the Harold Mezile North Community YMCA in north Minneapolis. It’s coed, ages 21 and up, open to all, and currently runs about 400 players across 22 teams. Stonewall calls it “the perfect sport to keep us active in the fall and winter.”
WhereHarold Mezile North Community YMCA, North MinneapolisEmailzach.miller@stonewallsports.orgWebsiteStonewall Sports Twin Cities, dodgeball
08
Football
Minnesota Gay Flag Football League (MNGFFL)
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
Coed NGFFL chapter
MNGFFL was founded in 2018 and belongs to the National Gay Flag Football League, which the league’s site describes as spanning “over 200 teams in 28 leagues across the United States and Canada.” It’s coed and open to LGBTQ+ people and allies. MNGFFL describes its own goal as “a uniquely welcoming environment to play recreational flag football with integrity and sportsmanship,” emphasizing community over competitive intensity. The league is bringing Gay Bowl XXVI to the Twin Cities, sponsored by the Minnesota Vikings.
WhereLogan Park, 690 13th Ave. NE, MinneapolisEmailinfo@mngffl.comWebsitemngffl.com
Minnesota Vixen
General club, not LGBTQ+ specific
Women Tackle football
Founded in 1999, the Minnesota Vixen (also called MN Vixen) is the longest continuously operating women’s tackle football team in the country, playing full-contact football under NCAA rules. The team competes in the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) Pro Division and plays home games at Klas Field on the Hamline University campus in Saint Paul. The Vixen won its first WFA national championship in 2026 after three prior championship-game appearances.
Websitemnvixen.com
09
Hockey
Team Trans Twin Cities Hockey
LGBTQ+ ledCommunity first
Trans and nonbinary players 18 and up All experience levels Team Trans chapter
Team Trans Twin Cities Hockey is a chapter of the national Team Trans organization, for transgender and nonbinary players 18 and up regardless of experience. Players are rated from beginner to advanced so scrimmages stay fair across the roster of roughly 80 members. The team’s president has described it as a space where members “can authentically show up and be who they are.”
Websiteteamtranshockey.com
Twin Cities Queer Hockey Association (TCQHA)
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
Three skill divisions
TCQHA is open to LGBTQIA+ players and allies and runs three skill-tiered divisions: Lower, Intermediate, and Upper. The association says its aim is “to create a safe and inclusive space for everyone to have fun and play hockey.”
Websitetcqha.org
Women’s Hockey Association of Minnesota (WHAM)
General club, not LGBTQ+ specific
Women Ages 18 to 69 All skill levels
WHAM is for women ages 18 to 69, matching players by both age and playing ability so a first-timer and an experienced skater both find a fit. Members have described the appeal of a sport “you can join at any point in life,” and WHAM has organized its own charity tournament, Shut Out HIV, in that spirit.
Emailleagueadmin@whamhockey.orgWebsitewhamhockey.org
10
Kickball
Stonewall Sports: Kickball
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
Coed Three skill divisions Stonewall Sports
Stonewall Sports’ kickball league launched in 2016, playing Sunday afternoons at Northeast Athletic Field Park in northeast Minneapolis. It’s Stonewall Twin Cities’ original sport and runs three divisions by experience: M for more experienced players, S for mixed skill levels, and P for players new to kickball and still learning the rules.
WhereNortheast Athletic Field Park, NE MinneapolisEmailtwincities.kickball@stonewallsports.orgWebsiteStonewall Sports Twin Cities, kickball
11
Outdoor Recreation
Outwoods
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
Outwoods serves the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community and their friends across Minnesota and neighboring states, based out of Saint Paul. It’s an all-volunteer group where members organize their own trips rather than following a central calendar. Outwoods describes its outings as “quality, enjoyable, non-competitive.”
Websiteoutwoods.org
12
Pickleball
Stonewall Sports: Pickleball
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
Coed Four skill divisions Stonewall Sports
Stonewall Sports’ pickleball league launched in 2022, playing Monday evenings at Lucky Shots Pickleball Club, 3300 Fifth St. NE, Minneapolis. It runs four skill divisions, Social, Low Intermediate, High Intermediate, and Advanced, with open play for newer players and a ladder format for more experienced ones. Registration spots “typically fill on the first day,” per the league.
WhereLucky Shots Pickleball Club, 3300 Fifth St. NE, MinneapolisEmailtwincities.pickleball@stonewallsports.orgWebsiteStonewall Sports Twin Cities, pickleball
13
Rodeo
North Star Gay Rodeo Association
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
IGRA sanctioned
NSGRA is sanctioned by the International Gay Rodeo Association and holds its main event, the North Star Regional Rodeo, at Dead Broke Arena in Hugo, Minnesota, each July. It’s open to the LGBTQ+ community and allies, welcoming everyone from first-time attendees to experienced competitors. NSGRA describes its events as blending “tradition with inclusivity seamlessly,” mixing serious rodeo events like bull riding and barrel racing with crowd events like goat dressing and the wild drag race.
WhereDead Broke Arena, Hugo, Minn.Emailnorthstargra1@gmail.comWebsitensgra.org
14
Roller Derby
Minnesota Roller Derby
General club, not LGBTQ+ specific
Women, nonbinary and gender-expansive skaters 18 and up
Minnesota Roller Derby was founded in 2004 and is affiliated with the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). It’s a skater-owned league that bouts on Saturdays at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown Saint Paul. The league describes itself simply as “flat-track, skater-owned roller derby in St. Paul, Minnesota.”
Emailinfo@mnrollerderby.comWebsitemnrollerderby.com
North Star Roller Derby
General club, not LGBTQ+ specific
Women All skill levels
North Star Roller Derby is a member-run nonprofit league open to all skill levels, with game nights on Fridays at Quincy Hall in northeast Minneapolis. Its learning program is described by the league as “a low-stakes, high-fun opportunity to learn more about skating and roller derby.”
Emailinfo@northstarrollerderby.comWebsitenorthstarrollerderby.com
15
Rugby
Minneapolis Mayhem RFC
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
Men International Gay Rugby
Minneapolis Mayhem was founded in 2005 and belongs to International Gay Rugby (IGR) and the Minnesota Rugby Union. The club is for men, “traditionally underrepresented groups, including gay/bi men and trans people,” and welcomes all ages, genders, and sexualities with no prior experience required. Mayhem describes its culture as a “friendly, welcoming, and safe environment.”
Emailinfo@mayhemrugby.orgWebsitemayhemrugby.org
Menagerie Rugby
General club, not LGBTQ+ specific
Open to all Ages 18 to 55
Menagerie Rugby dates to 1986 and is open to “any person, regardless of age, experience, athletic ability, talent, race, creed or color,” with members ranging in age from 18 to 55. The club says its focus is “playing high-quality rugby, strengthening rugby in Minnesota, and having fun.”
Emailmenagerierugby+play@gmail.comWebsitemenagerierugbyclub.com
Metropolis Rugby FC
General club, not LGBTQ+ specific
Men and women All levels
Metropolis Rugby was founded in 1992 and calls itself “Minnesota’s Premier and Largest Amateur Rugby Club,” fielding both competitive and social sides for men and women. The club spans Division I competitive teams down to social 7s sides, so it covers a wide range of experience levels.
Emailb_fugate@msn.com · BarbWebsitemetropolisrugby.comContactBarb
Twin Cities Amazons FC
General club, not LGBTQ+ specific
Women All experience levels
The Amazons compete in USA Rugby’s Women’s Premier League and Division 2 League and welcome players of all experience levels. The club describes itself as “made stronger by our differences and united by our commitment, passion, intensity and desire to be the best,” and won the national championship in 2013.
Emailinfo@amazonsrugby.orgWebsiteamazonsrugby.org
16
Running and Walking
MSP Frontrunners
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
All fitness levels
MSP Frontrunners holds weekly runs and walks open to all fitness levels: Sundays at 10 a.m. around Bde Maka Ska and Saturdays at 9 a.m. along the Mississippi River east of downtown Minneapolis. The group builds in social time after each run, describing itself as “all-inclusive” regardless of ability.
Emailinfo@mspfrontrunner.orgWebsitemspfrontrunners.org
17
Skateboarding and Rollerblading
Queer Skaters MN
LGBTQ+ ledCommunity first
Queer and marginalized skaters All abilities
Founded in spring 2021, Queer Skaters MN welcomes queer and marginalized skaters of all abilities across skateboards, longboards, roller skates, and quad skates. Sessions started Monday nights at Bde Maka Ska and the Oval in Roseville, and have since expanded to Familia’s indoor skatepark, roller rinks, and Elliot Park.
18
Soccer
Minnesota Gray Ducks Soccer
General club, not LGBTQ+ specific
Coed, men’s and women’s teams
Gray Ducks (sometimes spelled Grey Ducks) fields coed, men’s, women’s, and LGBTQ+ adult teams, with more than a quarter of the club identifying as LGBTQ+ by its own count. Registration runs year round and the club calls itself “the only adult soccer club providing rec up to competitive levels of play.”
Emailryan@grayduckssoccer.comWebsitegrayducks.com
19
Softball
Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League (TCGSL)
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
Coed NAGAAA member
TCGSL was founded in 1979, growing out of a friendly game between the Minneapolis police softball team and the state’s first openly gay softball team, and belongs to the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA). The league plays its regular season on Sundays and a Thursday Night Lights (WTNB) season on Thursdays. TCGSL sums up its own tone with its motto: “The G stands for ‘goodtime!’”
Emailchris@tcgsl.orgWebsitetcgsl.sportngin.com
20
Swimming
Minnesota Ice Swim Club
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
Coed
Minnesota Ice is the state’s only LGBTQ+ masters swim team, registered with both US Masters Swimming and the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics (IGLA) association. The club describes its values as fostering enthusiasm for competitive swimming, welcoming all participants without exception, and functioning as a social community in and out of the pool.
Emailminnesotaiceswim@gmail.comWebsitemniceswimclub.com
21
Tennis
Stonewall Sports: Tennis
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
All genders All skill levels Stonewall Sports
Stonewall Sports’ tennis league launched in 2019, playing Sundays in fall, winter, and spring at InnerCity Tennis, 4005 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, and Wednesdays in summer at Mounds View High School, 1900 Lake Valentine Rd., Arden Hills. It’s open to all skill levels and genders, and most play is doubles after a group warm-up and drills.
WhereInnerCity Tennis, 4005 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis (fall, winter, spring)WhereMounds View High School, 1900 Lake Valentine Rd., Arden Hills, Minn. (summer)Emailtwincities.tennis@stonewallsports.orgWebsiteStonewall Sports Twin Cities, tennis
22
Volleyball
GLASS Volleyball
LGBTQ+ ledAllies welcome
GLASS (the Gay and Lesbian Amateur Sport Society) serves the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community and allies through open gym play “for players of all skill levels.” The organization frames its mission around “amateur competition,” sportsmanlike conduct, and social activity.
Emailglassvball92@gmail.comWebsiteglassports.org
Gray Ducks Sand and Indoor Volleyball
General club, not LGBTQ+ specific
Coed Competitive tiers NAGVA tournaments
Gray Ducks Volleyball plays at the Gold, A, Silver, B, and Upper B competitive tiers in North American Gay Volleyball Association (NAGVA) league and tournament play, and accepts new players on a rolling basis. There is currently no beginner-level offering, so this is a fit for coed players with some competitive volleyball experience already.
Phone(651) 317-9262Websitegrayducks.com/volleyball
