The Bingham Cup rocks Brisbane – and organizers announce host city for 2028
Check out photos from the 2026 Bingham Cup rugby tournament in Brisbane.
Mark
The Bingham Cup took place in Brisbane, Australia, from August 20-23. The competition is the world’s biggest LGBTQ+ rugby tournament. It returns every two years.
The tournament was named after Mark Bingham, a gay rugby player who perished on 9/11. He was one of the passengers who attempted to overpower the hijackers of United Airlines Flight 93.
This year’s event featured several trophies and pulled in around 50 teams from across the globe.
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The eventual winners of the much-coveted trophy were London’s King Cross Steelers. It’s the second time they’ve won, after scooping the same prize in 2022 in Ottawa. In Brisbane, they beat the Sydney Convicts 12-5.
Reacting to the win, the team’s coach, Bryan Vester, said, “I couldn’t be prouder of this group. They’ve worked incredibly hard for each other, trusted each other and shown so much character throughout this tournament – to see them finish it by lifting the Bingham Cup is incredibly special, and a moment we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.”
Besides the Bingham Cup, other prizes and winners were as follows.
- Amanda Mark Cup: Ottawa Wolves
- Bingham Plate: Seattle Quake RFC
- Bingham Bowl: Sydney Convicts Old Boys
- Bingham Shield: Gotham Knights
- Hoagland Cup: Bristol Bisons
- Hoagland Plate: Columbus Coyotes
- Hoagland Bowl: Manchester Village Spartans
- Hoagland Shield: Amsterdam Lowlanders
- Challenger Cup: Adelaide-Tokyo Brats-Sharks
- Challenger Plate: Dallas Lost Souls
- Challenger Stein: Perth Rams
“Electric and joyful”
Jason Garrick, President of the Bingham Organising Committee, paid tribute to those who helped make the tournament possible.
“The Bingham Cup Brisbane 2026 was an incredible success due to the hard-working organising committee and volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure its success.
“The atmosphere was electric and joyful, all the things that should come with this great sport. I’m so thrilled that participants had the opportunity to enjoy rugby in Brisbane. I think Mark would have loved being here for this tournament.”
Besides the action on the pitches, participants enjoyed several social events, including welcoming and closing parties.
Quinton Leduc, Chair of IGR (International Gay Rugby), said, “For me, one of the most powerful parts of this tournament has been seeing the values behind Mark Bingham’s legacy come to life — bringing people together through rugby, creating a sense of belonging and celebrating the diversity and friendships that make this community so special.”
Bingham Cup in 2028 to take place in Leeds, UK
At the end of the tournament, organizers also revealed which city has been chosen to host the 2028 event. It will head to Leeds in Northern England, following a successful bid by the city’s inclusive rugby team, Leeds Hunters.
It will mark the third time the Bingham Cup has taken place in England, following London in 2004 and Manchester in 2012.
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