Here’s a list of adult sports leagues in Charlotte to keep you active this year
Maybe you’re a former high school volleyball star who wants to get back around the game.
Maybe you’ve heard that kickball is a great way to meet people and is actually quite fun.
Maybe you’re like me, who can wax poetic about basketball in any of its beautiful forms but who misses the thrill of playing for a team, for a trophy, for glory.
To you, whoever you are, I say:
It’s time to get in the game.
Here is a compilation of adult sports leagues that make the summers and falls sublime. Additional information can be found in the links. Be sure to double-check each league’s pricing and locations before you sign up.
(And yes, kickball is still cool, even if Cam Newton doesn’t suit up for your team.)
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SportsLink Sports & Social
SportsLink has a wide variety of sports and options that can get you active this summer. Among the sports the organization offers: Kickball, slow-pitch softball, pickleball, flag football, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, indoor volleyball, grass volleyball and sand volleyball.
Each league is for adults (18+) and incorporates a variety of skill levels. All kickball leagues are “recreational,” for instance, whereas other leagues like volleyball have tiered competitiveness (recreational, intermediate, upper-intermediate and competitive).
Each league requires a participant to have a “SportsLink Passport,” an annual membership that gives you access to all of the organization’s sports leagues. An individual passport is $40; there’s an additional league entrance fee for each league thereafter.
You can register either as a team or as a “free agent,” if you’re looking to hop on a team.
YMCA
The YMCA invokes James Naismith on its website when trying to get you to play basketball: “Come play basketball where it was invented.” Pretty compelling stuff!
The Y offers the following adult sports leagues: Basketball, flag football, kickball, martial arts, pickleball, racquetball and more. Make sure to check each sport’s tiered skill level.
League entry prices for members start around $85/individual, according to the Y website. For non-members it is more, based on the sport.
Youth sports are also available through the YMCA portal, too.
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation does a wonderful job providing programs in community centers across the county for people interested in staying active.
MCPR hosts a basketball league — an A league, a B+ league and a B league — as well as leagues for flag football, kickball, pickleball, soccer, softball, volleyball and senior games (an array of activities).
Sport-specific leagues to check out
Here are three sport-specific leagues that could pique your interest:
- Bowling: Better Off Bowling puts together bowling leagues across Charlotte. The session running now runs through May, but if you sign up on the website, you can get the latest info on when a new league opens.
- Soccer: Metrolina Adult Soccer League provides an affordable way to play soccer with similarly skilled players.
- Dodgeball: Stonewall Sports does more than dodgeball, actually, but how cool would this be? Live out your Average Joe’s vs. Purple Cobras dream in South End. Summer registration opens soon — don’t wait too long!
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
