Let’s get physical!
Chicago summer is officially here, which means it’s time to get outside, meet new people, and maybe finally join that team you’ve been talking about. From kickball and rowing to running clubs, hockey, tennis, cycling, cheer, and more, Chicago has plenty of LGBTQ+ sports groups and inclusive athletic communities for every skill level.
Whether you’re looking to compete, learn something new, stay active, or just find a social outlet that doesn’t revolve around the usual night out, these groups make it easier to get moving and connect with community.
PHOTOS VIA FACEBOOK / STONEWALL SPORTS + CMSA
MULTIPLE SPORTS CLUBS
Stonewall Sports Chicago
Website | Facebook | Instagram
How To Sign Up: Register online or check current league openings here.
Stonewall Sports Chicago is an LGBTQ+ and ally community-based nonprofit sports organization that combines organized leagues with fundraising for local nonprofits. Current offerings include bocce, bowling, dodgeball, game nights, kickball, and a member-facilitated running club, with seasonal registration throughout the year.
Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association
Website | Facebook | Instagram
How To Sign Up: Register online here.
As the largest LGBTQ+ sports organization in the Midwest, Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association, also known as CMSA, offers recreational and competitive leagues throughout the year. Current sports include badminton, basketball, cornhole, dodgeball, eSports, flag football, kickball, pickleball, pool/billiards, soccer, softball, tabletop, ultimate, and volleyball. If you’re looking for a steady way to meet people and stay involved in Chicago’s LGBTQ+ sports scene, CMSA is a strong place to start.
Athletic Alliance of Chicago
Website | Facebook | Instagram
How To Sign Up: Purchase an annual membership and register for a league here.
The Athletic Alliance of Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that unites Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community and allies through sport. AAC currently organizes badminton, beach volleyball, darts, indoor volleyball, pickleball, pool, table tennis, and Second City Tennis, with divisions ranging from recreational to advanced. It’s a good fit if you want a league structure with a welcoming, community-first feel.
Women’s Sports Chicago
Website | Instagram | Facebook
How To Sign Up: Register online for current leagues and training options here.
Women’s Sports Chicago has been prioritizing and empowering women, nonbinary and trans athletes since 2012, offering recreational sports leagues for women of all ages and skill levels. Current programming includes soccer, basketball, and volleyball, with league and training options available throughout the year. It’s a strong add for anyone looking for a women-centered, inclusive place to compete, train, and meet new people.
PHOTOS VIA FACEBOOK / QKC CHICAGO
SELF-DEFENSE & TRAINING
Queer Kickboxing Club Chicago
Website | Facebook | Instagram
How To Sign Up: Submit an inquiry through the website or follow on social for current sessions.
Queer Kickboxing Club Chicago offers kickboxing, MMA, and self-defense programming with queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming community members in mind. The group uses a sliding-scale model and centers QTGNC people, making it a strong option for anyone looking for a safer, affirming space to train.
PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK / CHICAGO DRAGONS RUGBY
RUGBY
Chicago Dragons Rugby
Website | Facebook | Instagram
How To Sign Up: Register online or contact the team here.
Chicago Dragons Rugby is one of the Midwest’s leading gay and inclusive rugby clubs, welcoming both experienced players and complete beginners. The team competes, hosts social events and fundraisers, and continues to build community on and off the field. If you’ve ever wanted to try rugby but didn’t know where to start, this is the group to check out.
PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK / CHICAGO ROWING UNION
ROWING AND CREW
Chicago Rowing Union
Website | Facebook | Instagram
How To Sign Up: Register online for Learn to Row or member programs.
Chicago Rowing Union promotes rowing for the LGBTQ+ community and allies through inclusive educational and competitive programs. CRU offers Learn to Row, novice and experienced programs, with outdoor training during the warmer months and indoor training during the colder season. New rowers can start through Learn to Row, while experienced rowers and coxswains can connect with the club during the season.
PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK / FRONTRUNNERS/FRONTWALKERS CHICAGO
RUNNING & WALKING
Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago
Website | Facebook | Instagram
How To Sign Up: Register online here.
Frontrunners Chicago is the city’s premier LGBTQ+ running and walking club. The group welcomes runners, walkers and social members at all levels, making it one of the easiest ways to stay active without doing it alone. They also help bring the community together through runs, walks, social events and the annual Proud to Run tradition.
Team to End AIDS
How To Sign Up: Register online here.
Team to End AIDS, also known as T2, is AIDS Foundation Chicago’s endurance training and fundraising program. Participants train for races while raising funds to support HIV prevention, treatment and lifesaving social services. Current 2026 opportunities include major endurance events such as the Chicago Half Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and select destination races.
PHOTO VIA WEB PAGE / CHICAGO SMELTS
SWIMMING
Chicago Smelts
How To Sign Up: Register online here.
Summer in Chicago is HOT, and nothing sounds better than a cool dip in the pool. The Chicago Smelts are Chicago’s LGBTQ+ U.S. Masters swim team, encouraging fitness, friendship, community and competition through swimming. Founded in 1988, the team welcomes swimmers across a wide range of abilities, from beginners to triathletes and competitive swimmers.
PHOTO VIA WEB PAGE / CENTER ON HALSTED
VOLLEYBALL
Center on Halsted Open-Gym Volleyball
How To Sign Up: Check the Center on Halsted calendar for current open gym details.
Center on Halsted continues to offer athletic programming in its full-size gymnasium, including volleyball and pickleball. Open gym volleyball is a good option if you want to play without committing to a full season, while more structured league play can be found through groups like Athletic Alliance of Chicago.
PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK / WINDY CITY CYCLING CLUB
CYCLING
Windy City Cycling Club
Website | Facebook | Instagram
How To Sign Up: Register online here.
Windy City Cycling Club is Chicago’s LGBTQA+ cycling organization, welcoming riders of different experience levels. The club hosts recreational rides, road rides, social outings and other cycling-related events throughout the year. It’s a solid fit whether you’re building confidence on city rides or looking for a regular crew to bike with.
PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK / CHICAGO PRIDE HOCKEY
HOCKEY
Chicago Pride Hockey
Website | Facebook | Instagram
How To Sign Up: Register online here.
Chicago Pride Hockey, home of the Chicago Red Liners, provides a welcoming adult recreational hockey community for players and fans of all skill levels, genders and sexual orientations. The group includes adult league play, local and travel tournaments, scrimmages and social events connected to Chicago’s broader hockey and Pride communities.
PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK / SECOND CITY TENNIS
TENNIS
Second City Tennis
Website | Facebook | Instagram
How To Sign Up: Contact the program you’re interested in joining here.
Second City Tennis organizes tennis programs and related social activities serving the LGBTQ+ community of Chicago. An Athletic Alliance of Chicago affiliate, SCT has been offering programs since 1987 and currently has more than 900 members. Its lineup includes beginner clinics, winter indoor doubles and a summer singles ladder. Note: the 2026 SCT Classic is postponed to 2027, but regular SCT programming remains active for 2026.
PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK / CHICAGO SPIRIT BRIGADE
CHEER & SPIRIT
Chicago Spirit Brigade
Website | Facebook | Instagram
How To Sign Up: Check tryout and volunteer information online here.
Chicago Spirit Brigade is an all-volunteer adult cheer, dance and drill organization that performs to raise funds for local nonprofits supporting people with life-altering challenges. You’ll often see them at Pride events, parades and community celebrations. Performers with cheer, dance, gymnastics or performance experience can look into tryouts, while non-performers can support through volunteer roles.
TRANS & INCLUSIVE
As trans and nonbinary athletes face a wave of bans and exclusions across organized sports, Chicagoans have built their own affirming spaces to keep playing. These community-led groups center trans, nonbinary and queer folks of every skill level, with no gatekeeping required.
PHOTO VIA Instagram/ The Trans Masculine Alliance Sports alliance Sports Club
The Trans Masculine Alliance Sports Club
How To Sign Up: Check the website for current event details, or follow on Instagram and send a DM for upcoming meetups.
The Trans Masculine Alliance Sports Club, also known as TMASC, offers fitness and recreation built for transmasculine folks and their allies, with a “healthy healing through exercise” approach. Expect pickup games, group workouts and community events in a space designed by and for trans athletes.
WNBGAY Chicago
How To Sign Up: Check the website for pickup details and group links, or follow on Instagram for weekly run times and locations.
What started as a group chat among friends at Foster Beach has grown into one of the city’s most welcoming queer pickup basketball communities. WNBGAY Chicago runs casual pickup basketball for queer and trans people, with all-levels games and occasional west side runs.
MORE LGBTQ+ SPORTS CLUBS, EVENTS & VENUES
- Queer Soccer Club Chicago – pickup soccer for queer, trans and gender-expansive folks
- Windy City Rollers – Chicago’s flat-track roller derby league
- Center on Halsted Youth Programs & Activities
- North End – Northalsted’s LGBTQ+ sports bar
- Chicago North Shore Women's Rugby - Women's rugby team in Chicago
Well, that basically fills up our summer plans. Whether you decide to join a team or league or just cheer on from the sidelines, Chicago has plenty of sporting options for LGBTQ+ folks to choose from. Follow their example and make sure to support local nonprofits by checking out our guide to LGBTQ+ Activism & Resources in Chicago.
Updated June 2026