Minneapolis (Aug 21, 2023) – One of the largest annual gay sporting events in the world returns to Minnesota next week as the 2023 North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) Gay Softball World Series comes to the Minneapolis region from Aug. 28-Sept. 2.

The 2023 Gay Softball World Series includes 225 teams and more than 4,500 participants competing at softball complexes in Burnsville (Lac Lavon Park), Eagan (Lexington-Diffley Athletic Fields), Inver Grove Heights (Rich Valley Park), South St. Paul (Kaposia Landing) and Woodbury (M Health Fairview Sports Center).

“We are honored to bring the Gay Softball World Series back to the Twin Cities,” said Greg Fedio, Executive Director of the Twin Cities Gay Softball World Series Local Organizing Committee. “We are dedicated to creating an amazing player experience and are looking forward to hosting teams from the 54 member cities of NAGAAA.”

In addition to a full schedule of games, events are planned every night of the tournament in downtown Minneapolis:

Monday, August 28
Opening Ceremony & Welcome Party* – 5-9 p.m. – The Commons Park
Official Opening Ceremony After Party – 9 p.m.-2 a.m. – EAGLE|MPLS

Tuesday, August 29
Pre-Game Block Party – 4-8 p.m. – Modist Brewing Co. (open to the public)
Light Up the North Night at Minnesota Twins game – 6:40 p.m. – Target Field
Hall of Fame Dinner – 6:30 p.m. – Nicollet Island Pavilion

Wednesday, August 30
Charity Concert: Taylor Dayne – 5:30 p.m. doors / 6:30 p.m. show – First Avenue (open to the public)

Thursday, August 31
Queer Trivia Night – 7 p.m. – EAGLE|MPLS

Friday, Sept. 1
Championship Weekend Kickoff Bash – 12 p.m.-3 a.m. – Saloon Minneapolis
Friday Night Lights – 7 p.m. – Lac Lavon Park

Saturday, Sept. 2
Championship Saturday – 7am - 4pm – Lac Lavon Park
Closing Ceremony & Block Party – 5 p.m. – Saloon Minneapolis (open to the public)

* Private event for Gay Softball World Series participants. There will be media access for interviews and live shots.

Members of the Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League, in partnership with Sports Minneapolis, are serving on the local organizing committee for the 2023 Gay Softball World Series.

“We’re thrilled to welcome this wonderful event to the Minneapolis region,” said Melvin Tennant, Executive Director of Sports Minneapolis. “Attendees of the Gay Softball World Series will enjoy our inclusive community and are sure to find plenty to do before and after the games in our diverse and welcoming downtown and neighborhoods.”

In addition, the Minnesota Twins have pledged their support of the Gay Softball World Series and onn Tuesday, Aug. 29, the franchise will host “Light Up the North Night” at Target Field as the Twins take on the Cleveland Guardians at 6:40 p.m. Purchase of this special ticket package includes a co-branded Gay Softball World Series/Twins hat.

“The Twin Cities have played host to many of the country’s top athletic events. We’re a vibrant and diverse community that celebrates how sports brings communities together. We’re excited to have the Gay Softball World Series here in Minnesota,” said Miguel Ramos, Minnesota Twins Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion.

The Gay Softball World Series is the largest annual, LGBT, single-sport, week-long athletic competition in the world. This year’s edition is expected to bring nearly 6,000 visitors to the area. The Minneapolis region previously hosted the tournament in 1996 and 2012.

For more information on the 2023 Gay Softball World series, go to www.lightupthenorth.org.

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ABOUT TWIN CITIES GOODTIME SOFTBALL LEAGUE
The Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League was founded in 1979 when a group of gay men challenged the Minneapolis Police Department to a charity game. Since then, it has grown to the largest softball league in North America with 54 teams and over 900 players. In 2017, the Twin Cities Goodtime Softball League was named “Best Softball League in Minnesota” by WCCO-TV.

ABOUT NORTH AMERICAN GAY AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) was founded in 1977 and is an international sports organization comprised of men and women dedicated to providing opportunity and access for the LGBT community to participate in organized softball competitions in safe environments.

ABOUT SPORTS MINNEAPOLIS
Sports Minneapolis, a division within Meet Minneapolis, is an award-winning sports commission with a proven track record in bidding, winning and executing amateur and professional sporting events in the city of Minneapolis and beyond. Sports Minneapolis has played a major role in transforming Minneapolis into a championship-caliber host city for a wide range of sporting events.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Greg Fedio, GSWS Executive Director, 612-239-4216, greg@lightupthenorth.org
Kevin Knutson, GSWS Marketing & Social Media, 651-278-7425, kevin@lightupthenorth.org
Kevin Kurtt, Sports Minneapolis PR Manager, o 612-767-8118, c 952-288-9319, kevink@minneapolis.org