10 Reasons To Attend The 2016 Major League Quidditch Championship

The 2016 MLQ Championship will be held in League City, Texas on Aug. 20-21. Over the course of two days, the teams will compete across two tournament phases until one team remains to be crowned champion. Buy your tickets today!

It shouldn't be hard to convince people to come watch quidditch. Quaffles, bludgers and brooms—it should totally sell itself. But, then again, sometimes it's hard to just convince people that quidditch is a real sport.

But it's true! Quidditch is a real sport—you can read more about it here—and quidditch players are real athletes, busy preparing for their toughest competition yet: the Major League Quidditch Championship in League City, Texas.

And it's a really big deal.

So whether you're reading about quidditch for the very first time today, or you've been following the sport since its Middlebury days, here are 10 reasons to attend the 2016 Major League Quidditch Championship:

1. Because it actually is Major League Quidditch

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We don't just call ourselves Major League Quidditch for the snappy acronym; MLQ really delivers one hell of a professional sport. Athletes who play in the MLQ season are selected from hundreds of collegiate and community teams across the nation. That means MLQ is comprised of players who are proven in the sport and, well, know what they're doing.

MLQ series promise seasoned athletes, standardized schedules and high-level officiating. On top of that, our players also look super fly—pardon the pun—in our SAVAGEUltimate kits…kits that happen to be on sale for spectators and fans as well.

2. The sport is super entertaining

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Of course our sport is fun to watch: it features 14 athletes sprinting up and down a field with brooms in between their legs.

But once the novelty of the PVC pipe wears off, there’s still a lot of action on the pitch. With quaffle and beater play occurring simultaneously, you’re always certain to witness some great highlight reel moments live.

Now enter the golden snitch. In a clever adaptation, the snitch is actually a ball stuffed down a sock and attached to the back of a snitch runner’s shorts. Toward the end of a game, the snitch runner enters the field of play and mayhem ensues.

Quidditch guarantee: you will never be bored watching this sport.

Sebastian Lam

3. Quidditch gets physical

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Not only is the sport fast-paced, but it's also full-contact. You'll see tackles, picks, drives and all-out physicality from our players every game—just no all-out brawls, yet. This isn't hockey.

4. Everybody can play

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So those tackles and drives we just mentioned? Yeah, they're performed by all genders. Quidditch is co-ed, as well as gender inclusive so it's very likely you'll see a 120-pound female chaser barrel through a 250-pound male defender.

We're also proud to field many trans, gender neutral and non-binary athletes, as well as lesbian, gay, bi and queer players, some of whom are ambassadors for Athlete Ally, an organization that works to end homophobia and transphobia in sports. Quidditch has always been on the front line of inclusivity in sports and we plan to stay there…although we'd be happy if everyone else caught up.

5. You can get to know the professionals

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One of the great things about quidditch as a young sport: the athletes are still accessible. Between matches, the players will be walking around Hometown Heroes Park with everyone else…they just may be swigging a lot of protein shakes while they do it.

It’s super easy to go up to quidditch players and compliment them on that really great assist or inquire about a certain strategy. And—if you really like what you can see—you can ask how you can join a team near you.

6. Root, root for the home team!

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This year, Major League Quidditch expanded from two to four divisions, with 16 teams across the United States and Canada (shoutout to Ottawa!). Whether you’re from the North, South, East or West, there’s a team for you to support!

You can even familiarize yourself with the team rosters online, as well as their standings and player statistics. At the championship itself, don’t be afraid to sport your home-team colors and try to collect all their trading cards. You may even be able to get the players to sign the cards for you—what a collectible!

7. League City is like, really pretty

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You might find yourself rooting for the League City Legends, though, once you come see what League City has to offer. The charm of a small town in the midst of rapidly expanding metropolis, there's a lot to do in League City after the MLQ Championship is over.

The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and Kemah Boardwalk are just a short venture from the fields, and abundant access to Clear Creek is ideal for anyone looking to embrace the natural sights of the city. Who knew?!

8. Quidditch tournaments are a lot like quidditch festivals

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The MLQ Championship is taking over Hometown Heroes Park, and transforming it into an all-out party. There will be food trucks from Ring of Fire BBQ, Top Dog Gourmet Hot Dogs, Tacos El Compa, Shiver Shack and Cabo Grill--who needs to tailgate with a line-up like that?

And if you're more into shopping than sports, there will be plenty of vendors on hand too. In addition to Major League Quidditch's booth, Scentsy, SAVAGEUltimate and Petersons Broomsticks will all set up shop for spectators to peruse in between games.

9. You can relive your childhood

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Perhaps most obvious of all, you should attend MLQ's championship to relive the magic of Harry Potter. While the athletes will insist they are only there to compete, most players found quidditch through their love for the bespectacled Gryffindor seeker.

Many fans come to quidditch tournaments in costume, and there's always magic in the air. The championship is a great opportunity to celebrate the books that birthed the sport, and revel in the nostalgia of your childhood.

10. The competition is heated

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If you're not into magic, there's sure to be some might on display Championship weekend. The athletes traveling to League City have come with one purpose: to win the MLQ Championship and raise the Benepe Cup overhead in victory.

Last Year, the Boston Night Riders were the uncontested champions, finishing the season entirely undefeated. They enter the 2016 MLQ Championship with that perfect record still intact, and remain the favorite for the series.

Will anyone be able to put the Night Riders to rest?

The New York Titans like to think so. The New York/Boston rivalry is alive and well in quidditch, and last year's runner-ups, the Titans, hope to dethrone the champs. Or maybe it will be the Austin Outlaws, a new team comprised of many Quidditch World Cup champions eager to repeat their success in the major leagues.

2015 MLQ Champions Boston Night Riders

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There are so many storylines to follow during MLQ Championship, it's best to watch the action in person. No, we can't fly, but we can fight our hardest for that Benepe Cup!

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BUY TICKETS

Single-day General Admission tickets cost $15. Looking for a complete experience? Purchase a Weekend Pass for $20 or a VIP Weekend Pass for $100.