Shoppers are turning out to celebrate community on ice , the Minnesota Frost hosts a Pride Unity Game at Grand Casino Arena, bringing together queer sports groups, advocacy organisations and colourful activations so fans can enjoy hockey while supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion and resources.

Essential Takeaways

  • Event basics: The Pride Unity Game kicks off at 12:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 11, when the Minnesota Frost host the New York Sirens.
  • Giving opportunity: Fans are encouraged to donate new, unused makeup and personal care items for the Rainbow Wardrobe drive , easy to drop at the arena and meaningful for recipients.
  • Community presence: Dozens of local groups will have concourse tables, including Twin Cities Queer Hockey Association, Gender Justice and The Trevor Project , lots of ways to learn and connect.
  • On-ice moments: Ceremonial puck drop with State Senator Erin Maye Quade and an anthem by Lisa DiGuiseppi (they/them) highlight the inclusive tone; intermission includes the Twin Cities Queer Country Dancers.
  • Merch & fun: Limited-edition Pride apparel by Peau De Loup will be exclusive to the Hockey Lodge, and GLASS will join the in-game Fanboni experience , bright, social and photogenic.

A celebration that looks and feels inclusive

The clearest thing as you walk in will be colour and energy; the concourse is planned as a hub of conversation and hands-on ways to support queer communities. According to PWHL Unity Game guidance, these match-day activations are designed to welcome fans and spotlight local organisations. Expect approachable booths, friendly faces and a slightly buzzy, hopeful atmosphere , perfect for families, allies and anyone curious about queer sporting life.

Why it matters: sporting spaces can feel exclusive, so a visible, celebratory Pride game normalises queer presence in hockey. If you’re going, bring a donation for the Rainbow Wardrobe , small toiletries or makeup items make a real difference and are simple to pack.

What’s on the schedule , moments that stick

The afternoon includes a ceremonial puck drop with Minnesota State Senator Erin Maye Quade, and the national anthem will be sung by Lisa DiGuiseppi, who uses they/them pronouns. Those touches aren’t just symbolic; they centre queer leadership and representation at the start of the match. Intermission entertainment comes from Twin Cities Queer Country Dancers, which both entertains and reinforces community-building through performance.

Practical tip: arrive early if you want to visit tables and snap the best photos , concourse activations often draw crowds between periods.

Community groups: more than pamphlets and logos

Organisations on site range from mental health services to grassroots sports clubs , think The Trevor Project, Reclaim, Team Trans and Twin Cities Pride, plus inclusive teams like MPLS Mayhem Rugby and Minnesota Ice Swim Club. Each brings a slightly different role: crisis support, family resources, legal advocacy and just plain fun sporting spaces. Together they create an ecosystem of support that extends beyond the game.

Context: Unity Games are a league-wide initiative in the PWHL to celebrate diverse communities and improve fan experience, so Minnesota’s activation follows a growing model used by other teams to pair sport with civic engagement.

Shopping and souvenirs , Pride merch that gives back

If you like to take home a memento, limited-edition Pride apparel designed by Peau De Loup will be sold at the Hockey Lodge. Buying small-batch, queer-owned-brand merch supports creators and helps spread the visual message beyond the arena. The collection will be exclusive and likely popular, so plan ahead if you want a specific size or design.

Money-save tip: check for online pre-orders or merch restocks via the team’s channels , popular items often sell out on game day.

Why this game is more than a fixture on the schedule

In a sports calendar packed with fixtures, events like the Pride Unity Game change the tone of an afternoon; they turn a match into an occasion for visibility, support and direct action. Fans leave with a memory and, potentially, a new contact or resource that matters to someone in their life. The Frost are tapping into a broader trend of teams using their platform for community outreach, and that feels both modern and useful.

If you’re heading to Grand Casino Arena, bring curiosity, a small donation and an open mind , and enjoy the game.

It's a small change that can make every puck drop feel more welcoming.

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