Athletes Gather In NYC For The Quidditch World Cup

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In less than two weeks on November 12th and 13th witches, wizards, and muggles (non-wizard folk) from all over the world will be heading to Randall's Island in NYC for the fifth Quidditch World Cup. That's right, the sport made famous in the Harry Potter novels has become a real life sport. Started in 2005 at Middlebury College in Vermont, quidditch has progressed to a full contact, coed sport that is now played internationally. The International Quidditch Association now hosts hundreds of teams from all over the world in what is becoming a fast growing sport that is truly taking flight. While covering the 2010 World Cup TIME magazine reported that,

"Quidditch is a sport striving for legitimacy. It has a rule book, a governing body (the International Quidditch Association, a nonprofit) and its own live streaming webcasts. Its players move with the grace and ferocity of top athletes; the best of them look like lacrosse players and hit like linebackers. All told, 46 teams from the U.S. and Canada vie for the Cup, and hundreds more franchises are just getting started. For a five-year-old sport, it's a remarkable ascension."

This years Quidditch World Cup will host 100 college and high school teams from 22 states and 4 nations consisting of 2,000 athletes that will be competing for the Cup. For entertainment there will be over a dozen live rock bands, Wizard Wrock bands, live owl demonstrations, costumes and so much more. Commentary for the matches will be done by professional improv comedians from the PIT Club in NYC. If you are looking for something to eat or drink while watching the matches you're in luck as there will be butterbeer, turkey legs, Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, BBQ, chili, hot chocolate, real beer, and many other delicious items to purchase. Looking to get further into the wizarding spirit? There will be wands, brooms, robes, scarves, and other wizard attire on sale all weekend. The championship match will be held in Icahn Stadium which is considered a world class venue and seats 5,000 spectators. If last year is any indication, every seat will be filled with cheering fans.

If you are new to the game of quidditch and want to find out what is all about I would suggest watching the World Cup IV documentary entitled Brooms Up! produced by Boxer Films. It explains the game in a great way while showing you the truly magical spirit of the World Cup weekend. This documentary is a half hour long and is truly amazing.  

I'll be at the Cup again this year as a Coach/Player for the New York Badassilisks. The Badassilisks are New York City's community team and are looking to step out onto the pitch and accept nothing but victory.

If you are looking for a truly fun and incredible weekend then pick up a ticket to this year's World Cup and cheer on your favorite team (or every team) with the rest of the world on November 12th and 13th.