As one of the most recognisable teams on the planet marks its centenary, the Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating 100 years of sporting showmanship with a blockbuster world tour.
The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour begins with a special event on Sunday 14 December at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with the full tour launching with games in Boston and Pittsburgh on Friday 26 December. The tour will continue on to more than 200 domestic markets in the US and more than 125 markets internationally, including France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Mexico, and across Asia.
“There are very few brands in any business, let alone sports, that cannot just withstand but grow over the course of 100 years, and the Harlem Globetrotters are on the top of that global list,” said Keith Dawkins, President, Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios. “We have challenged ourselves to make sure our business is evolving and reaching the audience wherever they are. And for this year’s tour we want to make sure that there’s something for everyone, from the families and fans that turn out in the thousands every year to those young people just experiencing the work our amazing and talented athletes are doing for the first time. The result will be a basketball and entertainment experience like no other, a literal once in a century event for all to enjoy.”
Founded in 1926 by Abe Saperstein, the Harlem Globetrotters have become global icons, entertaining more than 148 million fans across 123 countries and territories. Widely regarded as pioneers of modern basketball, the Globetrotters helped popularise innovations such as the slam dunk, the fast break, the figure-eight weave, and the forward and point-guard positions. But their legacy extends far beyond basketball: the team played a crucial role in integrating the sport, breaking racial barriers, and serving as cultural ambassadors around the world.
From stunning the Minneapolis Lakers in the late 1940s to launching the NBA careers of legends like Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton, the Globetrotters have continually shaped the sport’s evolution. Their influence spans continents – from performing before 75,000 fans in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium in 1951 to inspiring generations through TV shows, world-record feats, Olympic stars, and global goodwill initiatives. Even basketball great Wilt Chamberlain counted his time with the team among the happiest of his career.
Today, the Globetrotters remain one of the world’s most travelled sports entertainment acts, performing hundreds of games each year across various countries, combining elite athleticism with unmatched fan interaction. Their famous 4-Point Shot, gravity-defying dunks, and crowd-pleasing antics continue to attract families, sports enthusiasts, and travellers seeking unforgettable live entertainment.
See the full tour schedule at harlemglobetrotters.com