One of the most unique sporting events in the world is coming to the Regional Athletic Complex on April 23-24. Nearly 70 collegiate and club teams made up of over 1,200 athletes from around the country will attend US Quidditch Cup 2022, fighting for the title of national champion in their division. The first US Quidditch national championship in three years, this event regularly draws crowds of over 5,000, with thousands more watching online via livestream on Twitch.
Tickets can be purchased online or on-site. Early-bird pricing is available through April 5 for online ticket purchases. Family ticket bundles and youth/student-priced tickets are also available.
Hosted in partnership with Sports Salt Lake and Utah Sports Commission, US Quidditch Cup 2022 will be the first national tournament to be held west of the Rocky Mountains. "Salt Lake is tremendously excited to host the Quidditch Cup this April and roll out the red carpet for all the incoming athletes and spectators. We anticipate the event to bring in over $2.6 million in direct impact, which will have an incredible impact on our community" said Clay Partain, Managing Director of Sports Salt Lake.
Besides watching over 150 games of quidditch, spectators can check out the fan festival for a variety of merchandise vendors, food trucks, and family entertainment. Elementary, middle, and high school students are invited to take part in youth quidditch activities throughout the weekend, included with the price of admission.
Those interested in more than spectating are invited to sign-up as a volunteer during the tournament. No previous knowledge of the sport is necessary, and volunteers will receive free admission to the event, an event t-shirt, meals, and a complimentary US Quidditch merchandise item. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and volunteer for at least three hours to receive benefits. Volunteers are needed for ticket sales, field managing, logistics, and more. Sign-ups are open online. Further information and the sign-up form can be found here.
The first round of games begins at 9:00 a.m on Saturday and they continue all day until approximately 9:45 p.m. Games resume on Sunday at 9:00 a.m., continuing until about 9:30 p.m. when two teams will be crowned US Quidditch Cup collegiate and club division champions.
Quidditch is a full contact, competitive, mixed gender sport inspired by the Harry Potter ?series. It began in 2005 and has since spread to over 300 colleges, high schools and club teams nationwide. Quidditch is played with seven players to a team all mounted on brooms. Three chasers score goals worth 10 points each with a volleyball called the quaffle. They advance the ball down the field by running with it, passing it to teammates, or kicking it. Each team has a keeper who defends the goal hoops and can also score with the chasers. Two beaters use dodgeballs called bludgers to disrupt the flow of the game by “knocking out” other players. Any player hit by a bludger is out of play until they touch their own goals. Each team also has a seeker who tries to catch the snitch. The snitch is a ball attached to the waistband of the snitch runner, a neutral athlete in a yellow uniform who uses any means to avoid capture. At the 20 minute mark, the snitch is released and a point cap of 70 is added to the leading score. Catching the snitch earns a team 35 points. Once either team reaches the point cap score, called the set score, the game ends. US Quidditch’s official rulebook is available free for download here and more information about how to play can be found here.
About Utah Sports Commission
The Utah Sports Commission was created to be a catalyst for Utah in its Olympic legacy efforts and to help enhance Utah’s economy, image, and quality of life through the attraction, promotion, and development of national and international sports. Since the 2002 Olympics and Paralympics, the Utah Sports Commission has attracted nearly 900 major events to the state. The Sports Commission works closely with communities, sports entities, and organizations to provide event services ranging from the bid process, on-site logistics, volunteer coordination, sponsorships and promotional opportunities, and other related services. It is a not-for-profit 501(c)6 business league and Utah Sports Commission Foundation, a not-for-profit 501c3 charitable organization, is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees consisting of statewide sports, business, community, and government leaders. For more information, visit www.utahsportscommission.com.
About Sports Salt Lake
Sports Salt Lake is a division of Visit Salt Lake, a private, non-profit corporation responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake as a convention, sports, and travel destination. Sports Salt Lake’s mission is to improve the area economy by attracting and providing support to sports and athletic events to Salt Lake County. Salt Lake is a unique fusion of metropolitan city and quaint mountain town; the towering Wasatch Mountains that embrace Salt Lake offer a dramatic backdrop to the vibrancy and activities of downtown. For more information on all that Salt Lake has to offer, go to www.VisitSaltLake.com.
US Quidditch (USQ), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the national governing body for the sport of quidditch, organizes US Quidditch Cup 2022. USQ advances the sport by organizing events and programs that build community and empower adult and youth athletes of all identities, including all races and genders, to compete together. US Quidditch is not affiliated with JK Rowling, Warner Bros. or Time Warner. To learn more about quidditch, visit www.usquidditch.org
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