Atlanta’s Roller Derby Queens vs. Alien Invaders
Aliens are invading Decatur—on roller skates. On March 29, Atlanta Roller Derby, our city’s premier flat-track roller derby league, is rolling into Agnes Scott College for high-energy action. The night kicks off with an all-out extraterrestrial showdown, followed by a fierce home-team battle at 7:30 PM.
And with March marking Women’s History Month, there’s no better way to celebrate than by watching women lead the charge, break barriers, and see what real strength looks like on wheels.
Game Day Details
Roller derby is fast, full-contact, and packed with strategy. ARD skaters hit the track as part of four fierce home teams—Apocalypstix, Black Water Reapers, Glamma Rays, and Toxic Shocks—each with their own “derb-dentity.”
The night’s gonna kick off with a 5 PM face-off—or as derby folks call it, a bout—where ARD’s own “alien invaders,” the Glamma Rays, take on "The Human Race," a team of various skaters defending humanity from extraterrestrial domination. Then at 7:30, the action keeps rolling as Apocalypstix battle Georgia Tech’s Yellow Jacket Roller Derby in a classic hometown showdown.
- Where: Agnes Scott College, Woodruff Athletic Complex, Decatur
- When: Saturday, March 29
- Tickets: $20+—grab them early or check out a season pass if you’re hooked!
- Other fun: Food trucks, a creator market, and a high-energy crowd.
Roller Derby 101
- Teams: 5 skaters—4 blockers, 1 jammer
- Jammer: The skater with the star on their helmet, scores points by passing blockers
- Blockers: Play both offense and defense
- Lead Jammer: The first to break through gets to control the jam
- Winner: Most points at the end
Simple in concept, but the speed, strategy, and campy culture make it unlike any other sport. The best way to get it? Watch it live.
From Marathon Races to Modern Mayhem
Bet you didn’t learn about this in history class! Roller derby started as a long-distance marathon, entertaining folks during the Great Depression, before evolving into a full-contact, co-ed sport. But it wasn’t long before women took over and made it their own!
Roller derby was a huge hit in the '70s before it faded out for a while—but it didn’t stay down for long. In 2004, Angela Ward (a.k.a. Tanya Hyde) called on women to bring roller derby to Atlanta. ARD answered, sparking our city’s derby scene and turning it into the fierce sport we know today.
Get Involved!
Ready to roll in on the action? Whether you want to skate, officiate, announce, or even channel your inner “jeer”leader, there’s a spot for you at the Atlanta Roller Derby Academy. And don’t worry about the gear—loaner equipment is ready, so you can skate away in no time!
Not quite ready to lace up? No worries—join the crowd and cheer on ARD’s Glamma Rays and Apocalypstix at their out-of-this-world cosmic roller derby showdown on March 29!
If your blood’s pumping now, find your go-to athletic stores and more at www.gbj.com/sports-fitness!
