The Best Adult Sports Leagues in San Francisco

1. Volo Sports  

Dubbed San Francisco’s largest 21+ league, Volo Sports started with a bocce league in Fort Mason in 2013. 

Now, it’s a full-fledged collection of social sports leagues where you can play sports such as soccer, basketball, softball, kickball, and dodgeball. There are even sailing leagues along the bay as well as cornhole and flip cup leagues, which come in-handy during post-game drink-ups. You don’t need to be an experienced player to join. Just bring your competitive spirit and a smile. 

2. ZogSports 

ZogSports stands out for its diversity, from a wide-ranging number of sports to competitors of all ages. You can play co-ed basketball, match others strike-for-strike in bowling leagues, play floor hockey, or engage in ultimate Frisbee. 

You can play in recreational leagues or corporate leagues too if you’re looking to play with your work colleagues. If you’re new to town, ZogSports allows you to integrate thanks, in part, to their official happy hour bars that offer food, drinks, and games such as beer pong. 

Founded by 9/11 survivor Robert Herzog in 2002, ZogSports is one of the better adult sports leagues hubs you’re likely to find in San Fran. 

3. I Play For™

What do you play for in this adult soccer league? You’re playing not just to pick up three points, but to understand the point of competition, which is to have fun and make a difference. 

The I Play For league is a non-profit outlet run by Street Soccer USA, with matches played at Franklin Square, Crocker Amazon, and Kimbell Playground. You can participate in men’s and co-ed recreational soccer leagues, with seasons lasting nine weeks plus playoffs for qualifying teams. Matches are normally played on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and leagues range from four-on-four, eight-on-eight, or standard 11v11. 

4. Play in the Bay

This sports and social club offers both recreational and more competitive adult sports leagues that fit your personality and skill level. Leagues include men’s and co-ed basketball, softball at James Rolph Playground, and spikeball on Thursdays. You can also participate in bocce, cornhole, and dodgeball leagues if you like more unique sports or want to recapture your childhood. 

Play in the Bay also hosts tailgates, shopping sprees, and bus parties to encourage socializing between teammates and competitors. Plus, there are corporate events in case you and your colleagues are planning a sports league or outing. And there are tournaments too!

5. Tennis San Francisco 

For you tennis lovers out there, Tennis San Francisco is the ideal spot to practice your serve in competitive and recreational settings. 

There are leagues for both sexes plus advanced leagues and a 40+ division for players 40 years or older. You can also play doubles, mixed doubles, and tournaments throughout the summer and fall. Games include two-out-of-three sets, two sets with a 10-point super tiebreaker, or a 10-game pro set in case court time is limited. There are playoffs to determine the top players, and if you win, you receive a playing entry into the national championships that the league runs. 

6. Sports4Good

Play soccer and basketball for the fun of it and for a good cause by joining Sports4Good in the heart of San Francisco. 

Leagues range from seven and eight-a-side to traditional 11v11 outdoor leagues, with leagues for men, women, and co-eds. It’s a little different than your standard soccer league. For instance, if you receive a yellow card, you have to come off the field for 10 minutes, so try and be on your best behavior. There are playoffs, with the winner getting a team trophy, t-shirts, or a $150 donation to charity. 

Basketball leagues are five-on-five, co-ed leagues, with a minimum of two women on the court at all times. 

7. San Francisco Adult Hockey League 

If you want sporting activity without the San Fran heat beaming down, you should try the San Francisco Adult Hockey League.

There are four divisions, with divisions A and B for highly-skilled players, while divisions C and D are for recreational players. Each division is non-contact, and the league runs year-round, with 16 regular-season games and then playoffs.

In addition, you can participate in ice or figure skating, with extensive lessons for first-timers. There’s also bowling, including the Ultra Bowl, which features games set to a dance-club like atmosphere!

8. San Francisco Gay Softball League 

An inclusive league for athletes in the LGBTQ community, the San Francisco Gay Softball League features several open and women’s leagues with the aim to promote competition and comradery. 

What’s interesting about this league is that there are player ratings to track the skill levels of the players involved. The ratings include recordings of your hitting, batting average, speed, baserunning, pitching, and fielding. This differentiates skill levels among players/teams to make it a more competitive league. 

For fun, there are team events and parties, including the Switch Hitters Ball, which involved costumes, liquor, and lots of other fun stuff. 

9. Bay Area Baracus Rugby Club 

Established in 2001, Bay Area Baracus Rugby Club offers multiple divisions for players of different skill levels, making for better competition among its leagues. 

This club, based in southern San Francisco, is interestingly named after Mr. T’s character in The A-Team series and plays its games every Saturday. There are team lifts at the club’s private gym to get you fit, with training sessions taking place in the fall ahead of the season (January to March). 

The aforementioned gym also offers you a lounge where you can link with players and watch TV. 

10. San Francisco Fog Rugby League 

In 2000, the San Francisco Fog Rugby League is a gay and inclusive rugby league. It became the first of its kind on the West Coast, and also encourages minorities and other under-represented groups in rugby to play. One of its first and most famous players Mark Bingham was tragically killed during the 9/11 attacks, just weeks after the league joined the Northern California Rugby Football Union.

Whether you’ve been in a few scrums or don’t know the first thing about rugby, you’re invited to participate. They also have philanthropic causes they engage in, ensuring legacies like Mark’s live on. 

League matches (15s) run from January to March, with practices in the autumn. 

11. Varsity Gay League San Francisco

Open to LGBTQ athletes, regardless of preference or gender, the Varsity Gay League San Francisco features year-round tennis leagues as well as summer bowling, kickball, and dodgeball leagues. You can also play soccer or volleyball as well as trivia games, which allow you to drink, meet new friends, and win prizes. 

This recreational league is one of the more diverse leagues for the LGBTQ community around, encouraging participation from people from all walks of life. That’s been its purpose since being established in 2007.

12. Bay Area Disc Association 

Formed through the joining of five leagues in 2008, the Bay Area Disc Association supports youth in the Bay Area while creating new teams and recruiting coaches. 

For adults, there’s the Ultimate Frisbee League, with leagues for grass-playing veterans, recreational players, and newbies. Plus, there are tournaments year-round. If you have kids who like to toss Frisbees around, you should encourage them to join the Youth Ultimate Group. Children aged 8-14 can also be a part of the Bay Area Disc’s various summer camps. 

To check other top adult sports leagues across other U.S. cities, check out more Yardbarker content and see for yourself!