The Sin City Classic, the world’s largest annual LGBTQ sporting event, will return to Las Vegas on January 16th and will run through the MLK holiday weekend until the 19th. This year, there will be 24 sporting competitions with an estimated 8,000 competitors heading into Las Vegas. The sporting events are varied, including everything from basketball, dodgeball, and hockey, to e-sports, bridge, and billiards. Each of the events will take place in different venues and arenas around town.
Aside from sports competitions, there will be nightly social events and parties, including a welcome party and closing celebration at the Brooklyn Bowl. Attendees of the Classic also receive discounted access to all eight Cirque du Soleil shows as well as the Blue Man Group. Sponsor hotels this year will be the trendy and contemporary LINQ and the historic, Vegas staple, Flamingo.
The Sin City Classic has humble roots, being created by GLASA (Greater Los Angeles Softball Association) in 2003 as an LGBTQ softball tournament meant to provide a safe yet competitive atmosphere for LGBTQ athletes. Throughout the years, the event continued to grow, adding more sports and attracting new athletes. Now, the event attracts LGBTQ athletes, allies, and fans from all over the country, and is presented by Lexus and backed by major sponsors like the LA Dodgers, and Caesar’s Entertainment.
If you’d like to join as an athlete or come root for your team, you can find registration info here.
