Coming home after work and sitting on the couch (or going to happy hour) is enticing and all, but for locals who are looking to make friends or get some energy out, intramural sports may be the perfect answer to your “I’m bored and need to make friends after work” lamenting. Intramural sports can be a great outlet for a former athlete to spend nights or for the person new to town who wants to make some friends but barely has any athletic ability (no judgment, we get it). However, figuring out which sport or league is best can be time-consuming and even frustrating if you’re not a former college player or someone who takes athletics seriously. Fear not — we’ve rounded up a guide of everything you need to know about the promising options for sports clubs right here in Hudson County — specifically in Hoboken + Jersey City. No matter what your level of sports experience is, putting yourself out there and signing up for a league is always worth it. You never know who you might meet. Keep reading for a guide to intramural sports in Hoboken and Jersey City.
The American Ballplayers League (ABL)
The ABL has previously had leagues in softball, flag football, basketball, and even shuffleboard — though its primary league is men’s softball. The ABL sets out to give recreational and competitive athletes the ultimate league experience. With an attitude like that, sounds like it would be a good idea to find a team and get involved.
Hive Athletic
Hive Athletic is a co-ed league that’s newer to the area and aims to connect people socially through sports. Hoboken transplant Chris Corbin started Hive Athletic after having a positive experience joining a co-ed touch football league in New York City where he met his wife and made dozens of new friends. You can find a range of activities through Hive Athletic, from dodgeball to soccer, volleyball, pickleball, basketball, football, softball, kickball, and cornhole. The meeting points are throughout Hoboken, Weehawken, and Jersey City.
Hoboken Adult Soccer League (HASL)
Location, location, location. The 7-v-7 soccer league plays all its games at Frank Sinatra Park and 1600 Park Avenue in Hoboken. HASL itself consists of over twelve different leagues for any and all skill levels.
Hoboken Coed Softball League
Hoboken Coed Softball League is a non-profit coed softball league in Hudson County that’s been in existence for almost 20 years. The season runs from mid-April through October at fields in Jersey City and Bayonne. The league is sponsored by Departed Soles Brewery.
Read More: Unique Ways to Be Active Indoors in Hoboken + Jersey City
Hoboken Ultimate Frisbee
This free, co-ed ultimate frisbee group meets up every Tuesday and Thursday, and every Friday at 6:45AM and 8PM. All experience levels are welcome and there’s a big GroupMe where participating players can communicate. The group plays year-round, so long as the field is free of snow and temps are warmer than 40 degrees.
Next Basket Wins
Next Basket Wins is an intramural basketball league that operates four times throughout the year. The seasons are in the winter (December-March), spring (March-June), summer (June-September), and fall (September-December). Included in the team fee are eight games plus play-offs, 10 reversible jerseys for all new teams, two licensed refs, and an official scorekeeper at all games. To add to that, you’ll also receive updated stats and standings of teams on the Next Basket Wins mobile app, weekly video highlights, and championship gear if you win the whole thing. Games are played at four local Hoboken courts.
Volo Sports North Jersey
Volo Sports has a variety of social sports to be played — from cornhole to flag football, soccer, beach volleyball, softball, and more. Athletes can participate in leagues, daily sports games, memberships, or even sign up to coach youth social sports. Prices for league players depend on the sport, but every team plays once a week for 6-8 weeks. If you opt for daily play, there’s no commitment necessary: you can drop into a league or join a pickup game, and get unlimited access to daily play.
ZogSports
Zog has been a favorite sports staple for people in the area for a few years. It is one of the easiest and best-known ways to be active, meet people, and make some friends locally. From basketball to skeeball to the “social sampler” (which is a mix of the ZogSports options that change week by week), Zog has a little something for everybody.
See More: Where to Play Pickleball in Essex County
Honorable Mention
Millennial Sports
Millennial Sports has basketball, softball, and soccer leagues in Edgewater and Clifton, NJ, for both men and women. The organization emphasizes building a community and providing opportunities for locals to stay active and meet new people.
Barry’s Bootcamp Signage Spotted in Hoboken
While Equinox rumors are still swirling about a Hoboken location (plus a confirmed Jersey City location in the works), it's time to direct our attention to another new fitness spot that is coming to town: Barry's Bootcamp announced in fall 2024 that the international gym franchise is opening a Hoboken, New Jersey location. It announced the news on its Instagram back in early August, the location of the was revealed in late September, and now signage is up at the upcoming fitness spot as of January 2025. Read on for what we know about Barry's Bootcamp coming to Hoboken, New Jersey.
The Announcement
On Thursday, August 8th, 2024, Barry's Bootcamp announced on Instagram that it's opening a Hoboken location. "Cue the (Red Room) lights — we’re opening our first-ever New Jersey studio in Hoboken! Doors open soon, so tag your NJ friends below and hit the link in bio to get on the list to stay updated. #Barrys," it shared on the social media platform. It also has a "coming soon" section of its website dedicated to the Hoboken location, found here.
View this post on Instagram
Read More: Pokémon GO Fest is Coming to Jersey City This June
Following the original announcement, a source close to the developer on the project shared with The Hoboken Girl this September that Barry's new Hoboken outpost will be located in the former Jos A. Bank storefront at 119 River Street, Suite A.
Photo Credit: @hannah.sulcov
An eagle-eyed Hoboken Girl reader noticed that signage was up in the forthcoming Barry's Bootcamp location on Wednesday, January 8th. As far as timing, those details are yet to be shared, but we'll definitely update you as we find out more.
About Barry's
Photo Credit: Barry's Bootcamp Website
The company was founded in 1998 by Barry Jay and John and Rachel Mumford. According to the Barry's website, it's self-coined as bringing "game changing fitness classes [which] quickly became known as The Best Workout In The World," also calling it the 'first' boutique fitness class. It has since grown in the last three decades to dozens of studios throughout the world.
The workouts combine high-intensity interval training on the treadmill with weights and other floor exercises.
Globally, Barry's has 84 studios as of 2024. The Hoboken location would be Barry's first New Jersey location.
See More: A Guide to Workout Studios in Montclair
Follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram + TikTok to stay in-the-know with all of the Hoboken and Jersey City news, sign up for our weekly newsletter here, and check out our events calendar.
