2026 Big Apple Sports Classic

NEW YORK CITY
OCTOBER 1-4

A NATIONAL LGBTQ+ CHARITY TOURNAMENT

2026 SPORTING EVENTS:

BOWLING DODGEBALL KICKBALL PICKLEBALL

The 2026 Big Apple
Sports Classic is underway— welcoming 580 LGBTQ+ athletes of all genders and skill levels from across the nation for one cause.

Events Schedule

Your guide to the games

Thursday

~~Oct 1~~

Bowling

Friday

~~Oct 2~~

Opening
Party

Saturday

Oct 3

Dodgeball Pickleball Kickball

Sunday

Oct 4

Kickball Closing
Party

580 Players.

4 Sports. 1 Cause.

Big Apple Recreational Sports (BARS), New York City's largest LGBTQ+ social sports organization, is thrilled to once again host the Big Apple Sports Classic— now a national LGBTQ+ multi-sport charity tournament benefitting It Gets Better.

Following the incredible success of last year's inaugural event, we're expanding registration significantly this year to welcome LGBTQ+ teams, athletes, and spectators from across the U.S. This one-of-a-kind event will feature an opening registration party to connect with players from every sport, followed by four distinct tournaments for Bowling (Oct. 1), Dodgeball (Oct. 3), Kickball (Oct. 3 & 4), and Pickleball (Oct. 3), culminating in a spectacular awards ceremony and closing party. Together, we will share an unforgettable experience of spirited competition, community celebration, and meaningful impact.

Play for a purpose. Your registration directly impacts how much we can donate to LGBTQ+ youth through It Gets Better. Thank you for making this year's Classic legendary!

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Jul 20 – 21

BARS Early Registration*

Bowling $60 Dodgeball $80 Kickball $75 Pickleball $80

Jul 22 – Aug 16

General Registration

Bowling $60 Dodgeball $80 Kickball $75 Pickleball $80

Aug 17 – Sept 15

Late Registration

Bowling $70 Dodgeball $90 Kickball $85 Pickleball $90

* Exclusive early registration for our Big Apple Rec Sports community.

Locations & Venues

Click an event below for location details

Opening Party (Oct. 2) +

The Dickens
783 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10036
More Info
Pickleball Tournament (Oct. 3) +

IPX Brooklyn
49 Ash St Brooklyn, NY 11222
More Info
Bowling Tournament (Oct. 1) +

Frames Bowling Lounge
550 9th Ave New York, NY 10018
More Info
Kickball Tournament (Oct. 3 & 4) +

Governor's Island
Upper New York Bay New York, NY
More Info
Dodgeball Tournament (Oct. 3) +

Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center
1561 Bedford Ave Brooklyn, NY 11225
More Info
WTNB+ Post-Play (Oct. 3) +

Wilka's Sports Bar
241 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
Open/Mixed Post-Play (Oct. 3) +

G Lounge
225 W 19th Street, New York, NY 10011
Closing Party (Oct. 4) +

Industry Bar
355 W 52nd St New York, NY 10019
More Info