Y’Allstars International Roller Derby Tournament to Return to Southeast Louisiana Feb. 22-25

THIBODAUX, La (press release) – The Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown, an international flat-track roller derby tournament, will be returning to Southeast Louisiana for its second year. The tournament will be taking place Feb. 22-25, once again at the Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium, 310 North Canal Blvd., Thibodaux, La.

This action-packed, family-friendly four-day event is hosted by Red Stick Roller Derby Juniors (RSRDJ), a youth roller derby organization based out of Baton Rouge, La. Featuring 20 competing teams across multiple divisions, it is the largest roller derby tournament to ever be held in Louisiana and first to feature both adult and youth roller derby teams. In total, competing skaters and staff will be traveling to Louisiana from over 35 U.S. states and three other countries (Canada, Mexico & Portugal) to take to the track.

Scheduled just over a week after Mardi Gras Day, Y’Allstars is positioning itself as “Louisiana’s Mardi Gras Roller Derby Tournament” and will offer participants and spectators alike the opportunity to enjoy a few extra days of Mardi Gras fun.

The tournament creates a competitive stage for “collective” roller derby: all competing adult teams consist of top-tier skaters from various leagues who collectively form “superteams,” each representing a specific state, region, diaspora or other commonality. Among the competitors are 4 borderless teams, whose members share a common cultural background or heritage.

The teams and divisions include:

• Women’s Division: Team Louisiana Roller Derby; Team Alberta Roller Derby; Team Arkansas Roller Derby; Black Diaspora Roller Derby; Fuego Latino Roller Derby; Indigenous Rising Roller Derby; Jewish Roller Derby; Team Michigan Roller Derby; Team Philippines Roller Derby; Team Tennessee Roller Derby
• Open Division: Beast Side Roller Derby (many states); Chicago Roller Derby; Team Florida; and Trans Rollers United (many states).
• Juniors Division (ages 17-under): Red Stick Roller Derby Juniors (Baton Rouge); Druid City Daredevils (Tuscaloosa, Alabama); MARS Junior Beasts – All Stars (Frederick, Maryland); and South Texas Scallywags (Conroe, Texas)

The weekend’s schedule includes 22 flat-track roller derby games open to the public through ticketed admission – twelve Women’s Division games, five Juniors Division games, four Open Division games and a Saturday night Mardi Gras-themed exposition game, called the “Mardi Brawl.” Red Stick Roller Derby Juniors will be playing at 8:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, and then at 10:20 am on both Saturday, Feb. 24, and Sunday, Feb. 25. A full schedule of games is available at www.yallstars.com/tournament-info.

The event will also have an in-venue market with nearly 20 vendors, concessions, and additional entertainment including performances, prize giveaways, and a costume contest and second line during the Mardi Brawl featuring Young Fellaz Brass Band.

We basically wanted to throw a big roller derby party right on the heels of Mardi Gras, one that attracts top teams and gives Louisianans the chance to discover and fall in love with this incredible sport,” said Tournament Organizing Chair Kaitlyn Estes. “We are thrilled to once again be bringing roller derby to the Bayou and hope to see a lot of locals in the stands this year again.”

“Red Stick Roller Derby Juniors are excited and proud to host the Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown because of the representation and inclusiveness that sets this tournament apart,” said RSRDJ President Chewy Everhart. “Y’Allstars does not just bring the sport to Louisiana on an amazing level; it truly exemplifies ‘Y’all means all’ in the world of roller derby. After hearing all the positive feedback from the 2023 event, we were honored to once again host in 2024 and are looking forward to seeing what the future of the tournament brings. We thank all of the teams, parents, officials, volunteers, organizers, sponsors and vendors. Without them, this would not be possible.”

Day passes range from $12-$25 for adults and $7-$14 for children ages 6-17. Full 4-day weekend passes are also available at $55 for adults and $28 for children ages 6-17. Children ages 5 & under are admitted to the event for free. The tournament will also offer a live stream, to be broadcast via Twitch.

For more information on the Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown, including purchasing tickets, visit www.yallstars.com and follow the tournament’s official social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.