Gay Softball World Series Returns in 2026

Between August 30th and September 5th, 2026, the world's most extensive annual LGBTQ+ single-sport athletic event is slated to make its return to Columbus.

It is anticipated that over 230 teams, comprising some 5,000 athletes, will participate in the International Pride Softball&x2019;s Gay Softball World Series (GSWS). This marks the fourth occasion Columbus will serve as host for the GSWS, the first such event since 2021, a previous gathering that generated an estimated $7.4 million in direct visitor expenditure.

Linda Logan, CEO and President of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, expressed, &x201C;We are immensely proud and exceedingly eager to welcome the Gay Softball World Series back to Columbus for its fourth iteration. The city of Columbus, it should be noted, boasts an extensive history of championing inclusivity, celebrating diversity, and nurturing a dynamic sports scene. Our dedication to cultivating a receptive and accommodating atmosphere for every athlete and fan is underscored by once again serving as host for this esteemed event. We eagerly anticipate upholding this significant legacy and ensuring a truly memorable experience for all in 2026."

The city of Columbus not only serves as the location for the Midwest&x2019;s most extensive Pride parade, which draws in excess of 500,000 attendees, but it has also been awarded a perfect score by the Human Rights Campaign&x2019;s Municipal Equality Index (MEI). Additionally, Columbus welcomes numerous inclusive yearly gatherings, such as the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance Columbus Classic, the Labor of Love Volleyball Classic, and the Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association&x2019;s Buckeye Softbal Classic, alongside its fundraising Bat-N-Rouge event.&xA0;

&x201C;At our semi-annual council meeting held on October 13, 2024, International Pride Softball (iPride Softball) enthusiastically granted the bid for the 49^th&xA0;Annual Gay Softball World Series to the city of Columbus,&x201D; Jeff Sloan, Board Commissioner for iPride Softball, declared. &x201C;Columbus has consistently demonstrated itself to be an exceptional host city for our event, having previously welcomed us in 2010, 2015, and 2021. The assistance extended to our event by the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, the City of Columbus, Franklin County, and the state of Ohio has, without exaggeration, been truly outstanding. Indeed, throughout the years, no prior GSWS host city has surpassed the performance of Columbus, a success attributable to its remarkable planning committee, the city&x2019;s intrinsically welcoming ambiance, the ease of navigation and pedestrian-friendly nature of its downtown core, and the truly unparalleled Lou Berliner Sports Park. Given that iPride Softball is currently experiencing a distinct period of growth as an organization, and Columbus is likewise flourishing, this collaboration truly constitutes a home run for all parties involved.&x201D;

The sporting competition is slated to commence at the Berliner Sports Complex on August 31st, culminating in the Championship games on September 5th. There will be no charge for entry.

Columbus is additionally serving as the venue for the 11^th annual Stonewall National Tournament & Summit, scheduled from July 17th to the 20th, 2025. This particular gathering is anticipated to attract in excess of 4,500 individuals, who will participate in various competitions spanning disciplines such as dodgeball, volleyball, bocce, and billiards. Beyond the competitive aspects of the tournament, the event is also set to include various social gatherings scheduled across the entire weekend.