Discover Miami's LGBTQ Sports Scene

Sports leagues and participating in recreational sports in Greater Miami & Miami Beach are fun ways to stay in shape and make new friends and connections. With its year-round warm weather and abundance of public parks, the destination offers plenty of ways to play, from competitive leagues to relaxed weekend kickball games, for those in the LGBTQ community. Whether you’re into swimming, running, playing tennis or just want to play a few games of dodgeball, here’s your guide to Miami’s thriving LGBTQ sports scene.

Get In The Game With HotMess Sports

Nothing brings a community together like organized sports leagues. That’s the philosophy behind HotMess Sports Miami, an LGBTQ sports organization with chapters across the country.  Open to everyone, providing a place for the LGBTQ community and their friends to gather for semi-competitive sports and, maybe more importantly, after-parties. 

The league offers three sports: kickball, indoor volleyball and dodgeball, all played at Jose Marti Park in Little Havana. 

Whether you already have a team, are new to Miami or just want to play, there’s a HotMess team waiting for you.

Get Your Kicks With HotMess Miami Kickball

HotMess Sports Miami’s kickball league begins play in early November and finishes with an end-of-season tournament in December. Games are played on Sundays (except Thanksgiving weekend). 

Teams consist of 12 people playing a brand of kickball similar to what you might remember from growing up. If you don’t have a group of 12, no worries. You can sign up as a free agent or a small group and the league will assign you to a team. 

The season ends with a one-day tournament and closing party, where the champions are crowned and individual awards handed out. Yes, there’s a trophy, and food at the closing party is included in your $49.95 registration fee.

HotMess Indoor Volleyball: The Net Result Is Fun

The HotMess volleyball league's summer season begins in August and ends with a championship tournament in October. All games are played in the air-conditioned gym in Jose Marti Park. 

Teams play with six people per side, with a minimum of eight players required to field a team. If your team is short a player, for $10, you can register subs, who will be placed on your roster for one week. 

Much like with kickball, individuals and smaller groups can register as free agents and be assigned a team. Registration includes a t-shirt and food at the end-of-season party.

You Can’t Avoid The Good Times With HotMess Dodgeball

HotMess Sports Miami’s dodgeball league runs from June through July. Games are held in the Jose Marti Park gym on most Sundays. Because the action moves quickly, matches are a best-of-five game series, with six players on each side and a minimum of eight players per team. 

As with HotMess’ other sports, free agents and groups of fewer than eight can sign up and be assigned a team. The season concludes with a championship tournament and after-party.

Serve Up A Good Time With South Beach House of Tennis

South Beach House of Tennis (SobeHOT) isn’t an actual house. It’s a recreational sports group of LGBTQ tennis enthusiasts. Formerly known as Miami Mavericks Tennis Club, the group began in 1989 and now hosts regular Friday and Sunday match play at Flamingo Park in South Beach. Players are grouped by ability, so whether you’re brand new to the sport or a USTA-rated player, you can find competition at SobeHOT. 

Members also regularly compete in GLTA (Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance) events throughout the United States and the rest of the world, creating a tight-knit tennis community.

Go For A Swim With Nadadores Swim Team

Looking to improve your stroke? Or maybe train for a long-distance race or triathlon? Hit one of the Nadadores Swim Team of South Florida’s coached practices at Gibson Park Pool in Historic Overtown. While the group is LBGTQ-friendly, it’s open to anyone who wants to swim. 

Practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m.–noon. The club offers unlimited practice memberships as well as drop in, single-swim rates of $20, although your first two practices are free. 

All skill levels are welcome, although you must be over 18, able to swim freestyle without assistance and a US Masters Swimming member.

Run With Pride In Miami’s Gay Run Club

Every Wednesday night at 6:30, the Miami Gay Run Club meets on the corner of Lincoln Road and Bay Road in South Beach for a friendly run. Runs are typically a few miles long, and members use Strava to post their individual runs as well as the weekly group runs. 

The atmosphere is casual and accepting, and runners of all abilities are welcome.

Relive The Glory Days With Cheer Miami

Were you a cheerleader in high school or college and miss the pom-pounding glory days? Then check out Cheer Miami, an all-adult volunteer cheer organization that performs at pride parades and other LGBTQ events in Miami and the surrounding area while raising funds for good causes. It hosts stunt clinics too. 

Cheer Miami is a coed squad open to all people of all genders; if you want to join, open practices are held at the start of the season in June.

Discover more exciting LGBTQ activities with our guide to LBGTQ travel.