The Queen City’s Charlotte Roller Derby (CRD) team is coming in hot for Pride Month 2025, bringing the “Rainbow Riot,” a double-header set of matches to the Grady Cole Center on June 21.
The team will open up the doors for fans at 3 p.m. Around 4:15 p.m., the starting match will commence as CRD will be split up for an exhibition session, with members of the team split into the Chromatic Crushers and the Neon Knockouts. After the winners are decided between the two sides for the day’s first game, Charlotte’s team will take on the visiting team, Kansas City’s Roller Warriors (KCRW) around 6:25pm.
The KCRW comes from a similar background as CRD, starting off from a collection of underground games in 2004 and growing into a distinct sport league that has captured the hearts of fans in their home turf of Kansas City. The Roller Warriors organization is also one of the founding members of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, playing an active role in growing the sport and its appeal worldwide, along with CRD.
During the proceedings of the day, Charlotte’s own Drag Queens and Kings will take center stage, bringing additional style, flair, and fun to the CRD track. The featured cast includes Lolita Chanel, Liam Laughin, Dahlia DialUp, and Will Charmer.
A day with the CRD team would not be complete without the fans’ inclusion into the halftime sections. In between the day’s first match, the track will be dedicated to letting kids and beginner skaters in on a few fun matches. During the second halftime break, everyone is invited to take part in the team-centric mayhem that is rounds of Adult Hungry Hippos and Chuck-A-Duck. There will also be a raffle, with tickets going toward winning VIP seating for the next home game, as well as CRD swag and a photo with the team.
After the game, the team invites all that attended to come out for an after party at East Charlotte’s Tommy’s Pub.
Advance tickets are available on the CRD site, with Adult tickets going for $17 and Kid tickets (6-12) costing $11. You can find them, along with more details about the day, at the link provided.