An inspiring night dedicated to raising funds for sports field installations in underserved communities.
2026 Awards Dinner & Fundraiser
Thursday, December 3rd
Atlanta, Georgia
An evening dedicated to honoring those that expand access to play across the U.S. and raising funds for a new, safe play space in Atlanta. More event details and registration information coming soon!
Guest of Honor
Ambassador Andrew J. Young
Ambassador Young will be the Foundation’s Guest of Honor and will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions to promoting play in underserved communities.
Ambassador Andrew J. Young is a civil rights icon, political figure, and diplomat who has shaped history through his leadership and advocacy. A close ally of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Young played a key role in the civil rights movement and later became the first African American elected to Congress from Georgia since Reconstruction.
The Armory Experience
Located in the heart of Washington Heights, the Armory Foundation provides New Yorkers with a unique space for athletics, education and special events.
Known as the world’s premier indoor track and field facility, The Armory hosts over 100 competitions annually for athletes of all ages and is home to the Millrose Games, the world’s longest-running and most prestigious indoor track and field competition.
The Armory isn’t just a venue — it’s a statement. Move through a museum-style exhibition that puts the play equity crisis in full view, and leaves no doubt about why this work can’t wait.
Special Features
Silent Auction
Browse, and bid on unique items and experiences while all proceeds go to supporting our cause.
Book Signing and Photo Op
Get your book signed and photo taken with Ambassador Andrew J. Young.
Art Installation by IMAZ
Uniting Soccer, art, and culture to create meaningful social impact through purpose-driven collaborations.
Red Carpet Arrivals
Your arrival is a statement that deserves to be celebrated and we’ve rolled out the red carpet.
Media Coverage
Be part of the headline with our media coverage of the Awards Gala that amplifiers our mission.
Live Entertainment
Join us for a night filled with live entertainment and special performances.
Featured Talent & Special Guests
Priscilla Loomis
Master of Ceremonies
Olympian. Entrepreneur. Motivational Speaker. Media Personality.
Joanna Lohman
Red Carpet Correspondent
Global Key Note Speaker, Professional Soccer Player, International Sports Diplomat, Bestselling Author.
Tim Johnson Jr.
Featured Performer
Finalist on FOX’s The Four.
Former Young Simba in The Lion King.
Las Vegas Resident Performer.
The 2026 Playing for Keeps Award Recipients
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ambassador Andrew Young
A living legend who brought the Olympic Games to Atlanta and spent a lifetime building opportunities for others. Our guest of honor.
Infrastructure Award
Eat Learn Play
Honoring an organization building the physical foundation for children’s access to sport.
Innovation Award
Arthur Blank Foundation
Recognizing groundbreaking program innovation, including the expansion of women’s flag football.
Girls & Women in Sports Award
Ariel Investment Group
Celebrating a leader removing barriers and creating pathways for girls and women in sports.
Differently Abled Athletes Award
Ashley Hammond, CEO of The International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football
Honoring a leader whose vision and dedication have made the world’s game truly accessible to all.
The Right People. The Right Room. The Right Moment.
Change at this scale requires more than passion — it requires power, partnership, and the right people in the room. At the Armory Experience, you’ll connect with professional athletes, team owners, sports investors, policymakers, corporate leaders, and philanthropists who are actively shaping the future of equitable play. Every handshake, every conversation, every connection made here is a step closer to a field built, a policy passed, a child served.
Built With the Best in the Business
