Chelsea Challenge
About This Event
The Chelsea Challenge is an ice hockey tournament, not a soccer one. It's New York's LGBTQ+ hockey tournament, played over Memorial Day weekend at Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan. The host is the New York City Pride Hockey Alliance, which used to be called the New York City Gay Hockey Association. The 2026 edition was billed as the 24th.
Teams travel in from across the US and Canada, and play is split into divisions by skill level. Recreational divisions have moved to a drop-in format, so players can sign up on their own and organisers place them on balanced teams. LGBTQ+ players and allies both play. The NHL has entered a staff team for seven straight years. In 2026 it fielded 18 people in the B Division, which ran from Friday to Monday.
For spectators it's a low-key weekend at the rink rather than a public event. Players register through the alliance.
The 2026 tournament ran from 22 to 25 May. The 2027 dates hadn't been announced when we checked, but the tournament is held on Memorial Day weekend.
Where to stay during Chelsea Challenge
via Stay22Our three picks · New York
via Stay22Small guest house on West 15th Street in Chelsea, Manhattan; few recent reviews, so confirm it is operating before booking.
Large Hilton across the street from the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, with 569 rooms, many overlooking the WTC site.
52-storey luxury hotel at Columbus Circle facing Central Park; rooms and suites with kitchens and park views. Mainstream hotel, top price tier.
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