Athens, Ohio Roller Derby (AORD) is celebrating its Sweet 16th season, which kicked off last month. With a mix of home double headers, travel bouts, and a tournament appearance, there are still plenty of chances to catch a lot of the action this season. Home bouts are held at the Athens Community Center. Tickets are $15 for adults, and kids ten and under get in free.
Who AORD Is
AORD was founded in October 2010 by Jessica Beckford and twelve other founding members. They are a skater-owned and operated 501(c)(3) non-profit run by a democratically elected board. Coaches volunteer their time, skaters pay dues, and the organization runs largely on community support and sponsorships.
They field two competitive teams, the Appalachian Hell Betties at the A level and the Black Diamond Betties at the B level. Their first home game in 2012 drew over 900 fans. They’ve remained a consistent part of the Athens community since, drawing crowds from students in apartments near Ohio University and residents from across the region.
Remaining 2026 Season Schedule
All home bouts are at the Athens Community Center. Doors open at 1 p.m., first whistle at 2 p.m.
- May 30–31: Black Diamond Betties at the Smalltown Smackdown Cornament of Champions in Muncie, Indiana, an eight-team bracketed tournament with teams from Alaska, Kentucky, Missouri, and Indiana
- June 6: Home double header, opponents to be announced
- June 20: Appalachian Hell Betties away vs. Roller Derby of Central Kentucky in Lexington
- July 11: Home double header vs. Steel City Roller Derby
- August 15: Home double header vs. Black N Bluegrass Roller Derby and Lafayette Roller Derby
How to Get Involved
If watching isn’t enough, there are several ways to actually participate.
The Learn to Skate Derby program is a ten-week introduction to the sport held on Wednesday evenings at Dow’s Rollarena in Nelsonville. No prior experience is needed. The $150 fee includes rental skates and gear. Graduates can move into competitive team tryouts or the Wreck Skater program, a flexible month-to-month membership for those who want to skate without competitive roster requirements.
AORD also takes on referees and non-skating officials who handle timing, penalties, and paperwork during bouts. And for anyone who wants to help on game day, general volunteers get free entry plus a free beer or cider in exchange for a two-hour shift covering things like merch sales, ticket sales, and track setup.
Businesses interested in sponsoring the league can find tiered options at the aord website, including the Sponsor a Bettie program, which directs half your contribution to a skater of your choice for dues, gear, or a jersey.
Who Can Join
AORD is open to women+, including trans women, intersex women, and gender-expansive individuals who identify with women’s flat track roller derby. Their commitment to inclusion is longstanding and built into how the league actually operates.
For tickets, the full schedule, and more information, visit the AORD website.