Gay Bowl XXVI
About This Event
The Gay Bowl is the national championship of the National Gay Flag Football League (NGFFL). Over a long weekend, LGBTQ+ flag football teams from the league's member cities play for the title in an open division and a women's division. The first one was small: three teams played at Hollywood High School in Los Angeles in April 2002, with Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco as the league's charter members. The host changes every year among the member leagues, and the tournament usually lands in early to mid-October.
Gay Bowl XXVI was the first held in Minnesota. The Minnesota Gay Flag Football League hosted it at the National Sports Center in Blaine, north of Minneapolis, from 8 to 11 October 2026. MPR News reported that more than 2,250 athletes were expected, that spectators got in free and that the Minnesota Vikings were a sponsor. NFL backing goes back further: in 2017 the New England Patriots became the first NFL team to sponsor the Gay Bowl. The edition before, Gay Bowl XXV, was in San Diego from 3 to 5 October 2025, and Seattle and Austin have also hosted recently.
The Minnesota edition is over. The host city and dates for Gay Bowl XXVII hadn't been announced when we checked, and the 2027 tournament will almost certainly be somewhere other than Minneapolis.
Where to stay during Gay Bowl XXVI
via Stay22Practical Tips
Accommodation
Stay at the official Gay Bowl XXVI host hotel, Hilton Minneapolis, for exclusive tournament rates. Reserve your room early.
Transportation
Book airport transfers in advance. Options include private car services, shuttles, and taxis. The Metro Blue Line is also an option from Terminal 1.
Events
Various parties and events are scheduled throughout the week, including opening and closing parties, and division-specific gatherings.
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