Beyond the Scoreboard: Stonewall Sports Brings Camaraderie, Competition, and Pride to Virginia Beach
Eric Hause
Oct 22, 2026
Under the crisp mid-autumn coastal breeze, hundreds of athletes, supporters, and community leaders are pouring into Virginia Beach this week as the 12th Annual Stonewall Sports National Tournament officially takes over the city.
Since its founding, Stonewall Sports has grown from a local kickball league into a thriving non-profit sports organization with dozens of chapters nationwide. This weekend marks the culmination of months of regional play, bringing together athletes from across the country to compete, connect, and celebrate.
High-Stakes Competition Across the Resort City
The action kicks into high gear this weekend as athletes face off across eight core competitive sports:
Kickball & Sand Volleyball: Bringing classic beach vibes to the boardwalk and local fields.
Dodgeball & Indoor Volleyball: Taking over the court facilities with fast-paced tournament play.
Billiards, Bowling, Bocce, & Pickleball: Hosted across premier local venues like QMaster Billiards and Pinboy’s at the Beach.
Beyond the flagship tournament events, Friday features a dedicated "Friday Funday" exhibition lineup, highlighted by cornhole, dodgeball showcases, field day challenges, and ultimate frisbee.
Community First: Parties, Mixers, and Giving Back
While trophies and national titles are up for grabs, the heart of Stonewall Sports has always been community building.The 2026 national tournament pairs athletic play with a stacked schedule of social and charitable events:
Unofficial Kickoff: The weekend officially starts Thursday night with an opening celebration presented alongside Hampton Roads Pride at local favorite Rainbow Cactus.
Affinity & Inclusivity Mixers: Dedicated spaces on Friday afternoon designed to connect Asian American & Pacific Islander, Black/African American, Latinx, Over 50, Trans & Nonbinary, and Women participants.
Trivia for Charity: Hosted Friday evening at Smartmouth Brewing Pilot House, raising funds for local non-profit initiatives.
Themed Nightlife: Friday’s "80s Slasher Summer Camp" party at Neptune’s Park, followed by Saturday’s "TRL @ The Shore: A Y2K Party" at The Dome, showcasing performance, self-expression, and nostalgic pop culture.
A Economic and Cultural Win for Coastal Virginia
For Virginia Beach, hosting the 12th annual national tournament reinforces the city's standing as a welcoming, inclusive travel destination. With athletes, ref staff, and fans filling hotels, restaurants, and Oceanfront businesses, the event delivers a significant late-season economic boost to the local hospitality sector. More importantly, it offers LGBTQ+ adults a safe, empowering space to play hard, form lifelong friendships, and celebrate diversity through sport. As games kick off this weekend, the energy across Virginia Beach proves that no matter who wins on the field, the community is taking home the true victory.
Tournament Schedule Overview
Thursday, October 22
5:30 PM: Chapter Leaders Reception (Invitation Only)
8:00 PM: Unofficial Opening Party @ Rainbow Cactus (presented with Hampton Roads Pride)
Friday, October 23
10:30 AM – 6:00 PM: Player Registration
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Friday Funday Exhibitions (Cornhole, Dodgeball Showcase, Field Day, Kickball Remix, Ultimate Frisbee)
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Affinity Mixers (AAPI, Black/African American, Latinx, Over 50, Trans & Nonbinary, Women)
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Trivia for Charity @ Smartmouth Brewing Pilot House
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM: 80s Slasher Summer Camp Opening Party @ Neptune’s Park
Saturday, October 24
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Tournament Play — Day 1 (Billiards, Bocce, Bowling, Dodgeball, Indoor Volleyball, Kickball, Pickleball, Sand Volleyball)
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Under the crisp mid-autumn coastal breeze, hundreds of athletes, supporters, and community leaders are pouring into Virginia Beach this week as the 12th Annual Stonewall Sports National Tournament officially takes over the city. Running from Thursday, October 22 through Sunday, October 25, 2026, the four-day event transforms local venues into vibrant arenas of LGBTQ+ athletic excellence, inclusion, and joy.
Stonewall Sports - LeagueApps+ 1
Since its founding, Stonewall Sports has grown from a local kickball league into a thriving non-profit sports organization with dozens of chapters nationwide. This weekend marks the culmination of months of regional play, bringing together athletes from across the country to compete, connect, and celebrate.
High-Stakes Competition Across the Resort City
The action kicks into high gear this weekend as athletes face off across eight core competitive sports:
Kickball & Sand Volleyball: Bringing classic beach vibes to the boardwalk and local fields.
Dodgeball & Indoor Volleyball: Taking over the court facilities with fast-paced tournament play.
Billiards, Bowling, Bocce, & Pickleball: Hosted across premier local venues like QMaster Billiards and Pinboy’s at the Beach.
Beyond the flagship tournament events, Friday features a dedicated "Friday Funday" exhibition lineup, highlighted by cornhole, dodgeball showcases, field day challenges, and ultimate frisbee.
Stonewall Sports
Community First: Parties, Mixers, and Giving Back
While trophies and national titles are up for grabs, the heart of Stonewall Sports has always been community building.The 2026 national tournament pairs athletic play with a stacked schedule of social and charitable events:
Unofficial Kickoff: The weekend officially starts Thursday night with an opening celebration presented alongside Hampton Roads Pride at local favorite Rainbow Cactus.
Affinity & Inclusivity Mixers: Dedicated spaces on Friday afternoon designed to connect Asian American & Pacific Islander, Black/African American, Latinx, Over 50, Trans & Nonbinary, and Women participants.
Trivia for Charity: Hosted Friday evening at Smartmouth Brewing Pilot House, raising funds for local non-profit initiatives.
Themed Nightlife: Friday’s "80s Slasher Summer Camp" party at Neptune’s Park, followed by Saturday’s "TRL @ The Shore: A Y2K Party" at The Dome, showcasing performance, self-expression, and nostalgic pop culture.
A Economic and Cultural Win for Coastal Virginia
For Virginia Beach, hosting the 12th annual national tournament reinforces the city's standing as a welcoming, inclusive travel destination. With athletes, ref staff, and fans filling hotels, restaurants, and Oceanfront businesses, the event delivers a significant late-season economic boost to the local hospitality sector.
More importantly, it offers LGBTQ+ adults a safe, empowering space to play hard, form lifelong friendships, and celebrate diversity through sport.
As games kick off this weekend, the energy across Virginia Beach proves that no matter who wins on the field, the community is taking home the true victory.
Tournament Schedule Overview
Thursday, October 22
5:30 PM: Chapter Leaders Reception (Invitation Only)
8:00 PM: Unofficial Opening Party @ Rainbow Cactus (presented with Hampton Roads Pride)
Friday, October 23
10:30 AM – 6:00 PM: Player Registration
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Friday Funday Exhibitions (Cornhole, Dodgeball Showcase, Field Day, Kickball Remix, Ultimate Frisbee)
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Affinity Mixers (AAPI, Black/African American, Latinx, Over 50, Trans & Nonbinary, Women)
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Trivia for Charity @ Smartmouth Brewing Pilot House
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM: 80s Slasher Summer Camp Opening Party @ Neptune’s Park
Saturday, October 24
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Tournament Play — Day 1 (Billiards, Bocce, Bowling, Dodgeball, Indoor Volleyball, Kickball, Pickleball, Sand Volleyball)
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM: TRL @ The Shore: A Y2K Party @ The Dome
Sunday, October 25
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Tournament Play — Day 2 (Championship Rounds)
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Awards Ceremony & Closing Festival @ ViBe Park / The Shack on 8th
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM: TRL @ The Shore: A Y2K Party @ The Dome
Venue Directory
Hosted Sports & Event Hampton Roads Soccer Complex
2276 Recreation Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Outdoor Sports / Kickball / Field Events
Virginia Beach Sports Center
1045 19th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Dodgeball, Indoor Volleyball, Pickleball
QMaster Billiards
5612 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Billiards Tournament
Pinboy’s at the Beach
1577 Laskin Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Bowling Tournament
Oceanfront / Marriott Beach Area
Oceanfront Boardwalk (near 42nd St)
Sand Volleyball & Oceanfront Exhibitions
Smartmouth Brewing Pilot House
313 32nd St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Cornhole Tournament & Trivia for Charity
Neptune's Park
3001 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Friday Night 80s Slasher Party
The Dome
400 20th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Saturday Night TRL @ The Shore Y2K Party
ViBe Park / The Shack on 8th
712 Atlantic Ave / ViBe District, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Sunday Awards & Closing Festival