ELKRIDGE, Md. – For the first time since its name change from “quidditch” to “quadball,” Major League Quadball (MLQ) is hosting its season-ending championship in Howard County, Md..
The 2024 MLQ Championship will feature the 12 best quadball teams in the United States and Canada competing across four fields at Troy Park from Aug. 17-19. The site previously hosted the MLQ Championship in 2021 and 2022, when the sport was called “quidditch.”
“Howard County Recreation & Parks is excited to host the Major League Quadball tournament at Troy Park for the third time in four years,” says director of Howard County Recreation and Parks, Nick Mooneyhan.
“We welcome athletes and fans from around the country who enjoy this unique sport. Our award-winning parks provide the perfect backdrop for athletic excellence,” Mooneyhan said.
Quadball is a mixed-gender, full-contact sport. The rules were originally adapted from the game of quidditch in the Harry Potter book series. The real-life version of the sport involves four balls and four positions. It incorporates a mix of elements from basketball, rugby, and dodgeball.
Founded in 2015, MLQ is the highest level of quadball in North America. The league is home to 15 franchises across three divisions and its season runs from June to August. The teams have open tryouts in the spring and are composed of all-star players from local college and club quadball programs.
“We are thrilled to return to Troy Park and renew our partnership with Howard County,” says MLQ co-commissioner Amanda Dallas. “They have set the standard for hosting the MLQ Championship and ensured that our tournaments are successful each year.”
The MLQ Championship is the league’s marquee event. The teams will compete to take home the Benepe Cup—the coveted league trophy named after quadball founder Alex Benepe. The Austin Outlaws are the three-time defending MLQ Champions.
The tournament will begin with a play-in bracket on Aug. 17. Following the play-in round, the remaining eight teams will square off in the best-of-three championship bracket. The games will be livestreamed to fans around the world.
Take Back the Pitch, a showcase with teams drafted from a player pool of athletes who are not cis men will follow on Monday. The event aims to challenge current understandings of gender in quadball and create additional opportunities for cis and trans women, non-binary people, and trans men. Tickets are now on sale for the marquee quadball event.
