ANNAPOLIS – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters and lottery vendor EQL Games announced a joint partnership to identify and launch State lottery games across the country in celebration of the organization’s centennial season. The program, the first-ever lottery series connected to the Globetrotters, will officially begin in December with a scratch-off ticket released by the Maryland Lottery.
The Globetrotters Centennial season will officially tip-off with a special event at Madison Square Garden on December 14. The barnstorming team will begin touring again thereafter.
“The growth of casual gaming continues to be a key engagement point for consumers and we are proud to be able to use this partnership with EQL Games to have our brand story in front of millions of consumers who might not be our traditional fanbase,” said Keith Dawkins, President, Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios. “This is yet another great example of the fun and unique ways the organization will grow our areas of consumer engagement as our Centennial season tips off.”
“The 2026 season marks 100 years of the Globetrotters being synonymous with fun and entertainment, two of the biggest reasons people play the lottery,” said Brad Cummings, CEO of EQL Games. “We are honored to tip-off this partnership with the Maryland Lottery, and we are looking forward to expanding it to other lotteries in the coming months. Players will have the best of both worlds – a chance to win money and the opportunity to see the Globetrotters.”
Released on the eve of the team’s 100th year celebration in 2026, the new $2 Maryland tickets feature vintage Harlem Globetrotters designs, including the iconic basketball spinning on a finger. The offering provides a chance to win prizes, both instantly and through a second-chance promotion. Similar programs are in discussion with other States and will be announced in the coming months.
The full 100th Anniversary Tour will continue in Boston and Pittsburgh on Friday, December 26th and then roll out across 200+ domestic markets and over 125 markets internationally. Fans can also expect all-new surprises like the Golden Basketball by Spalding, epic pre-game Magic Pass experiences, 100 Year limited edition merchandise and many other new innovations for the “Ambassadors of Basketball.”
International markets such as France, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Mexico, and across Asia are just a few of the many locations the Harlem Globetrotters will be touring in winter of 2026 and running through the remainder of the year.