The premier Deaf basketball invitational — combining elite competition, professional media production, and the power of community. Watch every game live on WGEPlus.tv.
The WGE Basketball Classic is a premier invitational tournament created to celebrate and elevate Deaf basketball. We combine the energy of elite competition with the production quality of professional sports media — delivering an experience worthy of the athletes who compete.
Founded by WGE Sports, a division of WarriorsGate Entertainment, Inc., the Classic launches in 2027 with a single-site inaugural tournament in Talladega, Alabama — designed to grow into a nationally recognized annual sports property with regional tournaments feeding into a championship Final Four.
Three pillars define everything we build — from the court to the camera to the community.
Franchise-structured teams across Men's and Women's divisions. Rigorous participant requirements — including background screening and signed franchise agreements — ensure every team represents the Classic with integrity.
WGE Sports delivers professional media coverage and broadcast-quality production for every Classic game, streamed live and on-demand on WGEPlus.tv — built as a sports media property from day one.
Every decision is rooted in the Deaf community. We're creating space where Deaf athletes are celebrated at the highest level, and where family, fans, and culture gather each year around something truly theirs.
Teams operate on a franchise model — Owner → GM → Coach — creating accountability and long-term investment in each organization. Owners register first; all staff recognition flows from there.
Beginning in Talladega, Alabama in 2027, the Classic expands to regional sites spanning West, North, South, and East in 2028 — culminating in a neutral-site Final Four championship that belongs to all of Deaf basketball.
A deliberate, sustainable expansion plan — single-site launch in 2027, two regionals plus a Final Four in 2028, scaling to four regionals by 2029. Ambition grounded in operational reality.
A look at the broadcast quality, branded environment, and game-day experience we're building for 2027 and beyond.
The official WGE Basketball Classic jersey — designed for the 2027 inaugural tournament in Talladega, Alabama. Clean, bold, and built for competition, the kit carries the Classic logo front and center for every athlete who takes the court.
A phased growth plan built on sustainability — scaling when the foundation is ready, not before.
The WGE Basketball Classic makes its debut as a single-site, single-elimination invitational in Talladega, Alabama — establishing production standards and the operational foundation for national expansion. Broadcast live on WGEPlus.tv.
Four regional sites activate — West (Riverside, CA), North (Indianapolis, IN), South (Talladega, AL), and East (Washington, D.C.) — feeding into the Final Four Championship in Austin, Texas. June 19–21, 2028.
All four regional sites operating at full capacity. Up to 64 teams competing across Men's and Women's divisions, with the Final Four establishing itself as the premier annual championship in Deaf basketball.
Single-elimination brackets for the inaugural year — both divisions built to the same professional standard.
The Men's division brings together the best Deaf basketball talent from across the country, competing in a 12-team single-elimination bracket with professional officiating and media coverage.
The Women's division provides a dedicated platform for elite Deaf women's basketball — competing in an 8-team single-elimination bracket with the same professional environment and commitment to excellence.
Once the inaugural tournament establishes the foundation in 2027, regional tournaments bring the Classic to communities coast to coast in 2028 — with the best teams advancing to the neutral-site championship in Austin, Texas.
Every team in the Classic operates as a franchise. Owners carry the flag — GMs and coaches build under them.
The team owner completes the official WGE franchise registration — paying the entry fee, signing the franchise agreement, and agreeing to all bylaws. No staff can be officially recognized until this step is complete.
Once registered, the owner designates a General Manager. The GM is responsible for day-to-day operations, roster management, and communicating with WGE on behalf of the franchise.
The GM selects and formally designates the Head Coach. The coaching staff then builds the roster in compliance with WGE guidelines — 10 players per team, all meeting participation requirements.
With the franchise structure in place, your team is ready to compete in the WGE Basketball Classic — representing your community, your city, and the Deaf basketball tradition on the national stage.
The WGE Basketball Classic is an annual gathering place for the Deaf community — where competition, culture, and pride converge.
Events and programming designed to bring the broader Deaf community into the experience — not just as spectators, but as participants.
Professional production and coverage that tells Deaf basketball stories the way they deserve to be told — broadcast on WGEPlus.tv with full visibility.
A platform where Deaf athletes are celebrated at the highest level — with the professional environment and attention their talent commands.
The WGE Basketball Classic exists to give Deaf basketball the stage it has always deserved — professional, powerful, and built by and for the community it serves.
Whether you're interested in owning a franchise, competing as a player, or simply staying connected — the WGE Basketball Classic wants to hear from you. Registration for the 2027 inaugural tournament in Talladega opens soon.