The Bingham Cup, formally known as The Mark Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament, is IGR’s biennial global tournament for inclusive rugby hosted by a different member club and city and is a permanent event to Mark Bingham & his memory in rugby & life.
The IGR Bingham Cup is an international gay rugby union tournament named in honor of Mark Kendall Bingham, a rugby player and a hero of United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. Mark Bingham was openly gay and played rugby for the San Francisco Fog and the Gotham Knights, embodying the values of inclusivity and diversity in the sport.
The tournament was established in 2002 as the Mark Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament but has since been branded as The Bingham Cup and is held every two years, bringing together LGBTQ+ and inclusive rugby teams from around the world. It’s the largest amateur rugby union tournaments globally and is organized by a member club selected by the IGR membership from a choice of candidate cities.
The tournament serves as a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and sportsmanship within the rugby community. It aims to promote acceptance and break down barriers in sports by providing a platform for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to compete and showcase their skills in a welcoming environment.
Beyond the competition, the Bingham Cup fosters camaraderie, friendship, and a sense of community among players and supporters. It’s not only about rugby but also about advocating for equality, acceptance, and respect within the broader context of sports.
To date, the tournament has been hosted in North America, Europe, the UK and Australia with the next one to be hosted in May 2024 in Rome by the Libera Rugby Club.
The next Bingham Cup host city & club will be decided in Autumn 2024. All IGR member clubs will vote for either Buenos Aires, Argentina or Brisbane, Australia. Check back later this year for the announcement of which city will host Bingham Cup 2026.
