Harlem Globetrotters

You might think you know basketball, but until you’ve seen the Harlem Globetrotters, you just haven’t seen the sport’s most joyful evolution. This team takes basketball to a level that goes beyond quarters and fouls, taking things one step further to create a legacy of entertainment that transcends the scoreboard.

The Globetrotters are famous for their “Magic Circle” warm-up, where the ball zips between players with dizzying speed to the tune of Sweet Georgia Brown.¹

This tradition sets the tone immediately, paving the way for a game that’s interactive and involves spectators of all kinds. Whether it’s a player pulling a fan onto the court for a dance-off or the classic bucket-of-confetti prank dousing the front row, the barrier between the court and the stands dissolves completely.¹

Ready to experience the blend of athleticism and theater for yourself? Get your Harlem Globetrotter tickets from AXS today.

Despite the Harlem moniker stitched across their jerseys, the team actually has its roots in Chicago, where they started performing in 1926 as the Savoy Big Five. They adopted the Harlem Globetrotters name in 1929, at the height of the Harlem Renaissance, despite not actually playing in the New York City neighborhood until 1968.²

While the team is known for their comedy now, the history is actually rooted in serious competitive dominance. One of the most prominent moments was in 1948, when they defeated the then-world champion Minneapolis Lakers (who we now know as the Los Angeles Lakers) and proved they could outplay the best in the professional leagues.²

That victory helped pave the way for the integration of the NBA. Over the decades, icons like Meadowlark Lemon and Curly Neal became household names, turning dribbling into a revered art form.³ They reinvented the game, influencing generations of players who realized that style and substance could coexist perfectly on the hardwood.

The Harlem Globetrotters don’t have a home arena like other basketball teams since they’re a touring exhibition group that plays hundreds of games per year across North America. Past and future venues for the team include State Farm Center, Chase Center, Tucker Coliseum, Little Caesars Arena, MVP Arena, and the Houston Toyota Center, to name a few.⁴

Harlem Globetrotters games are unique because the stadium atmosphere is engaged toward engagement, rather than spectating. You’ll hear music pumping constantly, and the players are mic’d up, cracking jokes with the referees and the crowd.

While most basketball tickets give you a seat to watch athletes focus on winning, a Globetrotters ticket gets you a seat to watch athletes focus on you. The layout often includes opportunities for post-game autograph sessions and meet-and-greets, something that creates an immersive, sensory experience.

While the Harlem Globetrotters are recognized more as kings of comedy basketball, their trophy case remains serious business. The organization has received global recognitions for its contributions to sport and culture:

• Basketball Hall of Fame (2002): In 2002, the Harlem Globetrotters were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a rare honor for an entire team that recognizes their massive impact on the sport's global popularity.⁵
• Goodwill Ambassadors: They have been designated as official "Ambassadors of Goodwill" by the U.S. State Department, acknowledging their work in bridging cultural gaps internationally.⁶
• Guinness World Records: The team consistently pushes physical limits, holding records for everything from the most blindfolded slam dunks in a minute to the farthest windmill basketball shot.⁷

Ready to witness the magic with your own eyes? Unlike seasonal league games where availability is limited to just a few months, the Globetrotters tour year-round and are likely to stop by near you sometime soon. You can find tickets directly at AXS.