This Saturday, Oct. 3, the Nashville Roller Derby will strap on their skates for a Halloween-themed scrimmage-a-thon — Hail Skatin' 2026 — at The Fairgrounds. Skaters are dressing up as Mothman, Bigfoot, and other cryptids for this longstanding derby tradition making its Nashville debut. Ahead of the game, I spoke with two skaters to learn more about the Nashville Roller Derby.
How did you get started in the Nashville Roller Derby, and what do you love most about it?
Elita One: “I found roller derby in 2015 and was hooked right away. What started as a fun way to stay active turned into a community I can't imagine my life without. Derby brings together people from every walk of life, and we all show up for each other because we love the sport. When I moved to Nashville, finding the local league was one of the first things I did. It's the best way I know to make friends fast and feel at home in a new city.”
Brannan #24: “I started skating roller derby in Nashville when I was 11 years old with the Nashville Junior Roller Derby team, back when I was spending most of my weekends at the Rivergate Skate Center. Lots of my teammates were daughters of Nashville's adult team skaters, and so many of them volunteered their time to coach us and share their expertise. The roller derby community raised me to feel empowered, like I could accomplish anything with hard work and dedication. Maybe that's corny and simplistic, but as a young lady in the South, I was often discouraged from certain activities, interests, styles, attitudes, and spaces. Roller derby gave me courage, and I now bring that to all facets of my life.”
Is there anything that makes this league particularly Nashville?
Elita One: “Southern hospitality, for sure! When we travel, other teams tell us how welcoming and kind our skaters are, and they love having us because we're good sports, win or lose. Our roster is also a great snapshot of Nashville itself: longtime locals, people who've moved here from all over the country, and students who came to town for school.”
Brannan #24: “Our longstanding history! Established in 2006, we're one of the oldest recognized flat track roller derby teams in the country and have never disbanded. We're also lucky enough to have the largest, bestest, and most knowledgeable skate shop in the country, Asphalt Beach Skate Shop, one of our longstanding sponsors. They've kept us ready and rolling for decades and are an unrivaled institution in the skating community. Nashville Roller Derby has evolved alongside the sport and seen many eras of rule changes, leadership turnovers, and venue losses, but our foundations remain unshaken! I assure you, we're entering our best era yet!”
How can people get involved in roller derby?
Elita One: “There's a spot for everyone, whether you want to skate, officiate, volunteer, or just cheer from the sidelines. No experience is needed to start. Reach out at info@nashvillerollerderby.com, visit nashvillerollerderby.com, or find us on social media @nashvillerollerderby. And coming out to Hail Skatin' on Oct. 3 is a great way to see what it's all about!”
