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Navigating the City
Navigating the City
Welcome to New York City! Here is your ultimate guide to getting to the games, the parties, and your hotel with ease during the 2026 Big Apple Sports Classic.
🚇 Transit Basics
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Tap-to-Pay (OMNY)
No MetroCard needed! Use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or any contactless card at subway turnstiles and buses.
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Standard Fare
Each ride is exactly $2.90. Transfers between buses and subways are free within two hours.
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Transit Apps
Download Google Maps or Citymapper for real-time directions and weekend service changes.
🏨 Our Host Hotels
Midtown
Ink48 Hotel
653 11th Ave, New York, NY
Vibe: Right in the heart of Hell's Kitchen!
Transit: 15-minute walk to social events & bowling. Closest subway: C/E trains at 50th St. & 8th Ave.
Downtown
Fairfield Inn & Suites
161 Front St, New York, NY
Vibe: Historic Lower Manhattan near the Seaport.
Transit: Steps from the massive Fulton St Transit Hub (A,C,J,Z,2,3,4,5). 15-min walk to Governors Island Ferry.
📍 Venues & Directions
Venue: Frames Bowling Lounge (550 9th Ave at 40th St, Manhattan)
- From Ink48 Hotel: Quick 15-minute walk south down 11th Ave, turning left on 40th St.
- Subway: Take the A, C, or E train to 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Venue: The Dickens (783 8th Avenue at 48th St, Manhattan)
- From Ink48 Hotel: An easy 10-minute walk east on 48th Street.
- Subway: Take the C or E train to 50th Street, or the N, R, or W train to 49th Street.
Venue: IPX Brooklyn (49 Ash St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
- Subway: Take the G train to Greenpoint Avenue. It is about a 10-15 minute walk toward the waterfront.
- Pro-tip (Ferry!): Take the NYC Ferry (Astoria Route) to the Greenpoint ferry landing, dropping you off a few blocks from the venue.
Venue: Major R. Owens Community Center (1561 Bedford Ave, Crown Heights, Brooklyn)
- Subway: Take the 2, 3, 4, or 5 train to Franklin Av-Medgar Evers College. 5-minute walk south down Bedford Ave.
- From Downtown Hotel: Take the 2 or 3 train directly from Fulton St straight to Franklin Av!
Venue: Governors Island (Upper New York Bay)
- Getting to the Ferry: Take the Governors Island Ferry from the Battery Maritime Building (10 South Street, Manhattan).
- Subway to the Ferry: 1 train to South Ferry, R/W trains to Whitehall St, or 4/5 trains to Bowling Green.
- From Downtown Hotel: Walk directly to the ferry terminal in about 15 minutes!
⚠️ Note: Allow extra travel time to ensure you don't miss your scheduled ferry departure!
Venue: Industry Bar (355 W 52nd St between 8th & 9th Ave, Manhattan)
- From Ink48 Hotel: A 15-minute walk straight up to 52nd St and over to 8th Ave.
- Subway: Take the C or E train to 50th Street or the 1 train to 50th Street.
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A Quick Note on Rideshares & Taxis
Uber, Lyft, and yellow cabs are readily available everywhere in NYC. While they can be very convenient late at night, we highly recommend utilizing the subway during the day (especially during rush hour) to avoid unpredictable city traffic and get to your games on time!
NEW YORK CITY
OCTOBER 1-4
A NATIONAL LGBTQ+ CHARITY TOURNAMENT
2026 SPORTING EVENTS:
The 2026 Big Apple
Sports Classic is expanding registration to welcome national LGBTQ+ teams and athletes of all genders and skill levels.
LAST-MINUTE REGISTRATION
Sports Classic is expanding registration to welcome national LGBTQ+ teams and athletes of all genders and skill levels.
Events Schedule
Your guide to the games
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.
Late Registration is OPEN through September 15.
Play for a purpose. Your registration directly impacts how much we can donate to LGBTQ+ youth through It Gets Better. Help us make this year's Classic legendary by joining the tournament and spreading the word to your friends and local queer leagues!
REGISTRATION DATES
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.
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Opening Party (Oct. 2)
Pickleball Tournament (Oct. 3)
Bowling Tournament (Oct. 1)
Kickball Tournament (Oct. 3 & 4)
Dodgeball Tournament (Oct. 3)
WTNB+ Post-Play (Oct. 3)
Open/Mixed Post-Play (Oct. 3)
Closing Party (Oct. 4)
Locations & Venues
Click an event below for location details
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Opening Party (Oct. 2)
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Pickleball Tournament (Oct. 3)
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Bowling Tournament (Oct. 1)
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Kickball Tournament (Oct. 3 & 4)
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Dodgeball Tournament (Oct. 3)
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WTNB+ Post-Play (Oct. 3)
Wilka's Sports Bar
241 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
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Open/Mixed Post-Play (Oct. 3)
G Lounge
225 W 19th Street, New York, NY 10011
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Closing Party (Oct. 4)
3 Ways to Stay Informed
Bookmark This Site
Continue to check back, as we will be updating our site often with more information leading up to the tournament.
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We will be posting updates and announcements to our Big Apple Rec Sports profile regularly.
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