The Hurricane Showdown softball tournament is set to return to the Greater Fort Lauderdale area during Thanksgiving weekend.
The 32nd annual Showdown begins Friday, Nov. 27, and concludes Sunday, Nov. 29.
Celebrating more than three decades of softball, community and pride, the Showdown is one of South Florida’s longstanding LGBTQ+ sporting traditions. The tournament brings together more than 1,000 players, coaches, families, friends and supporters from across the United States for a weekend of competitive softball, camaraderie and celebration.
More than 55 teams from around the nation are scheduled to compete for championships in three divisions.
“The Hurricane Showdown is, for so many people, like a family reunion,” says Tournament Director Jonathan Rogers. “Teams and friends travel from across the country to see people they may not have seen since the last Showdown. It’s about reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, and celebrating the community we’ve built through softball.”
Games will be played throughout the weekend at Mills Pond Park in Fort Lauderdale and Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, with additional games scheduled at Brian Piccolo Park in Cooper City. All three championship games will be held at Mills Pond Park on Sunday afternoon. Games are free to watch, although Tradewinds Park and Brian Piccolo Park charge vehicle entry fees.
Spectators can follow all the action by downloading the Tourney Machine app on their mobile devices.
“I’m proud to help bring everyone together,” Rogers says. “That feeling of family makes the Hurricane Showdown truly special.”
The tournament officially kicks off with the popular Friday Night Lights event at Mills Pond Park, bringing teams together for an exciting evening of softball under the lights. In addition to tournament play, participants will enjoy organized social events at LIT Bar and Alibi Monkey Bar throughout the weekend.
The tournament is organized by the South Florida Amateur Athletic Association (SFAAA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies through organized softball.
SFAAA has a longstanding history of promoting sportsmanship, diversity, friendship and community involvement. The organization was recognized as the 2025 International Pride Softball League City of the Year, highlighting its contributions to LGBTQ+ softball and the broader community.
In addition to recreational and competitive softball, SFAAA supports community initiatives and charitable efforts that extend beyond the playing field.
“The Showdown is more than just softball. It’s an event that brings us all together,” says first-year SFAAA Commissioner Josh Yeager, who served as the Showdown’s tournament director for the past couple of years. “I’m incredibly proud of our Board, volunteers, and members who make this tournament possible year after year. We look forward to welcoming teams from across the country and invite our South Florida community to come out, cheer on these amazing athletes, and experience what makes SFAAA so special.”
SFAAA will take December off before resuming play in January with its Thursday Night Lights league, followed by the start of its 33rd spring season in February. Tryouts and player registration will be held during those months.
