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Our Pride Unity Games, presented by e.l.f., celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with special guests, activations, in-game tributes and partnerships with local and national LGBTQ+ organizations.

These celebrations feature a special edition Pride Unity Game logo designed by Hamilton, Ontario-based artist Eli, a queer and transgender creative whose work is deeply rooted in themes of identity, resilience and self-expression. We are proud to honor the LGBTQ+ community with Eli's powerful art.

Our Unity Games series is dedicated to bringing together players, fans and communities - join us in celebrating Pride!

Unity Game

In-Game Activations

  • Puck Drop: Eli
    • Eli - Our featured Pride artist, Eli, is a queer, trans visual storyteller and community advocate whose work celebrates identity, joy, and resilience. Eli’s artwork has been featured across grassroots and national platforms, using bold colour and symbolism to uplift LGBTQIA+ voices. Eli could deliver an empowering message, participate in puck drop, and potentially showcase a visual piece tied to the event—offering a creative and deeply meaningful opening to the game.
  • National Anthem Performance by TEMPO: Kicking off the Pride Game with purpose and pride, the TEMPO Queer Tenor Choir will perform the national anthems, setting an inclusive and powerful tone for the evening. Based in Toronto, TEMPO is a celebrated vocal ensemble made up of queer tenors who use music as a form of connection, resistance, and celebration within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Their performance will not only honor tradition but also reimagine it—infusing the anthems with the rich harmonies and lived experiences of a choir that stands proudly at the intersection of identity and artistry.
  • Sign-Making Station: A creative space for fans to design pride-inspired signs to show their support and celebrate inclusivity.
  • DJ Levi Feature: DJ Levi will be curating the soundtrack for the evening, bringing dynamic, inclusive energy to the arena. A proud member of the queer community, DJ Levi is known not only for their electrifying sets but also for their commitment to creating safer, affirming spaces through music. Throughout the game, DJ Levi will provide live music from warm-up to intermission, weaving together tracks that reflect the joy, resistance, and vibrancy of 2SLGBTQIA+ culture. Their presence is more than just entertainment—it’s a celebration of queer creativity and a reminder of the power of representation in every part of the game-day experience.
  • Shark Ninja Warrior of the Game: Zahra Mahmoodi
    • Zahra Mahmoodi is a former captain and founding player of the Afghanistan Women’s National Soccer Team and the country’s first licensed female soccer coach. A passionate advocate for women’s rights, she led the Women’s Committee at the Afghanistan Football Federation and received a Humanitarian Award from Muhammad Ali in 2013. After moving to Canada, Zahra served as an Athlete Ambassador for Right To Play and earned a BA in International Development from the University of Guelph. Drawing from her lived experience as a refugee and member of a marginalized ethnic group, Zahra now works as a Program Officer at Rainbow Railroad, supporting LGBTQI+ refugees through the Government-Assisted Refugee program.

Featured Community Organizations

  • Women's Hockey Club of Toronto

    Established in 1993, the Women's Hockey Club of Toronto (WHCT) is an adult recreational non-body-checking ice hockey league. It is open to individuals who identify as women, trans, non-binary, two-spirited, and allies within the LGBTQIA+ community. WHCT welcomes players of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced athletes, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all participants.

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  • Toronto Pride Hockey Tournament

    The Toronto Pride Hockey Tournament is an annual event that brings together LGBTQIA+ hockey teams and allies from across the region and beyond. Celebrating diversity and inclusion in sports, the tournament provides a competitive yet friendly atmosphere, promoting camaraderie and acceptance within the hockey community.

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  • Steel City Inclusive Softball Association (SCISA)

    Based in Hamilton, Ontario, SCISA offers a safe and welcoming space for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies to engage in softball. Emphasizing good sportsmanship and community building, SCISA accommodates players of all skill levels and has been recognized for its efforts in fostering inclusivity within sports.

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  • York Regional Police Pride Internal Support Network

    The York Regional Police Pride ISN is dedicated to promoting inclusivity and diversity within the police force and the broader community. Through initiatives such as Pride flag-raising ceremonies and participation in local Pride events, the ISN works to strengthen relationships with LGBTQIA+ individuals and organizations, demonstrating a commitment to equitable and respectful policing.

  • Queer Hockey Hamilton

    Queer Hockey Hamilton is a community organization established and run by queer players, aiming to create a welcoming and safe environment for all members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The organization hosts events such as annual tournaments, encouraging participation from LGBTQIA+ players across the province and beyond, and fostering a sense of belonging through the sport of hockey.

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  • Rainbow Railroad

    Founded in 2006, Rainbow Railroad is a global not-for-profit organization based in Canada and the United States. It assists LGBTQI+ individuals facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics by providing emergency relocation and other forms of assistance to help them find safety and live openly

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  • You Can Play

    A leading organization in the movement for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sports, You Can Play is dedicated to ensuring that athletes, coaches, and fans are judged solely on their talent, work ethic, and dedication—never on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Through partnerships with professional leagues and grassroots

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  • Sport-A-Rainbow

    Sport-A-Rainbow is committed to fostering inclusive and affirming environments in athletics by supporting LGBTQIA+ athletes and advocating for diversity in sports. Through education, mentorship, and community outreach, the organization works to eliminate barriers and ensure that all athletes can participate authentically and safely.

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Design Spotlight

Eli's design is rich with symbolism, representing the ongoing fight for visibility, self-acceptance and equality within hockey and beyond.

Get to Know Eli

Shop the design

Eli's artwork is featured on the PWHL’s Pride Unity Games commemorative shirt, available for purchase at in-venue locations and online at The Official Shop of the PWHL. In celebration of Pride Unity Games, the PWHL is proud to make a contribution to the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center (SNMVC), which opened in June 2024 and serves as a living tribute to the LGBTQ+ rights movement, offering education, historical preservation, and a space for community engagement.

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7 photos

Community Spotlight

Operated independently by Pride Live, the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center is dedicated to protecting and preserving the legacy of the Stonewall Rebellion and allows visitors to experience the historic site where the fight for LGBTQ+ equality began.

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