Gay Softball World Series Coming Back to Columbus for the Fourth Time in 2026

The largest annual LGBTQ+ single-sport athletic competition in the world is coming back to Columbus from Aug. 30 to Sept. 5, 2026.

More than 230 teams and 5,000 athletes are expected to attend the International Pride Softball’s Gay Softball World Series (GSWS). This is the fourth time Columbus will host the GSWS and first time since 2021, which resulted in $7.4 million in direct visitor spending.

“We are incredibly proud and excited to welcome the Gay Softball World Series back to Columbus for the fourth time,” Greater Columbus Sports Commission CEO & President Linda Logan said. “Columbus has a rich history of fostering inclusivity, diversity, and a vibrant sports community. Hosting this prestigious event again highlights our commitment to creating an open and welcoming environment for all athletes and fans. We look forward to continuing this legacy and delivering an unforgettable experience in 2026."

Columbus is home to the largest Pride parade in the Midwest attracting more than 500,000 people and is a recipient of a perfect score by the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI). Columbus also plays host to several inclusive annual events, including the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance Columbus Classic, Labor of Love Volleyball Classic and Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association’s Buckeye Softbal Classic and fundraising Bat-N-Rouge event. 

“International Pride Softball (iPride Softball) enthusiastically awarded the bid for the 49^th Annual Gay Softball World Series to Columbus at our biannual council meeting on October 13, 2024,” iPride Softball Board Commissioner Jeff Sloan said. “Columbus has proven itself to be a fantastic host city for our event after welcoming us in 2010, 2015 and 2021. The support of our event by the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the state of Ohio has been nothing short of exceptional. No GSWS host city over the years has done it better than Columbus due to its tremendous planning team, the city's welcoming nature, the convenience and walkability of the city core and the one-of-a-kind Lou Berliner Sports Park. iPride Softball is on a unique upward trajectory as an organization and so is Columbus making this partnership a home run for all involved.”

The tournament will begin at the Berliner Sports Complex on August 31 and will conclude with the Championships on September 5. Admission is free.

Columbus is also hosting the 11^th annual Stonewall National Tournament & Summit on July 17-20, 2025. That event is expected to draw more than 4,500 people for competitions ranging from dodgeball and volleyball to bocce and billiards. In addition to tournament play, the event will feature social gatherings throughout the weekend.

The largest annual LGBTQ+ single-sport athletic competition in the world is coming back to Columbus from Aug. 30 to Sept. 5, 2026.

More than 230 teams and 5,000 athletes are expected to attend the International Pride Softball’s Gay Softball World Series (GSWS). This is the fourth time Columbus will host the GSWS and first time since 2021, which resulted in $7.4 million in direct visitor spending.

“We are incredibly proud and excited to welcome the Gay Softball World Series back to Columbus for the fourth time,” Greater Columbus Sports Commission CEO & President Linda Logan said. “Columbus has a rich history of fostering inclusivity, diversity, and a vibrant sports community. Hosting this prestigious event again highlights our commitment to creating an open and welcoming environment for all athletes and fans. We look forward to continuing this legacy and delivering an unforgettable experience in 2026."

Columbus is home to the largest Pride parade in the Midwest attracting more than 500,000 people and is a recipient of a perfect score by the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI). Columbus also plays host to several inclusive annual events, including the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance Columbus Classic, Labor of Love Volleyball Classic and Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association’s Buckeye Softbal Classic and fundraising Bat-N-Rouge event. 

“International Pride Softball (iPride Softball) enthusiastically awarded the bid for the 49^th Annual Gay Softball World Series to Columbus at our biannual council meeting on October 13, 2024,” iPride Softball Board Commissioner Jeff Sloan said. “Columbus has proven itself to be a fantastic host city for our event after welcoming us in 2010, 2015 and 2021. The support of our event by the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the state of Ohio has been nothing short of exceptional. No GSWS host city over the years has done it better than Columbus due to its tremendous planning team, the city's welcoming nature, the convenience and walkability of the city core and the one-of-a-kind Lou Berliner Sports Park. iPride Softball is on a unique upward trajectory as an organization and so is Columbus making this partnership a home run for all involved.”

The tournament will begin at the Berliner Sports Complex on August 31 and will conclude with the Championships on September 5. Admission is free.

Columbus is also hosting the 11^th annual Stonewall National Tournament & Summit on July 17-20, 2025. That event is expected to draw more than 4,500 people for competitions ranging from dodgeball and volleyball to bocce and billiards. In addition to tournament play, the event will feature social gatherings throughout the weekend.