Detroit, MI – April 15, 2024 – PeacePlayers, a global nonprofit that leverages sports to bridge divides and inspire lasting peace, proudly announces Detroit as the host city for the 2025 Friendship Games, scheduled for July 27 to August 3, 2025.
This international gathering will unite youth from PeacePlayers sites worldwide—including South Africa, Israel/West Bank, Northern Ireland, and the United States—for a powerful week of basketball, cultural exchange, and leadership training. Founded by Ed and Penelope Peskowitz, the Friendship Games embody a simple yet profound truth: if you can play together, you can live and work together.
The announcement coincides with the beginning of the 2025 NBA Playoffs and the Detroit Pistons’ first playoff appearance since 2019, underscoring the city’s passion for basketball. Detroit, known for its resilience, diversity, and storied comeback, provides the perfect backdrop for this transformative event. Hosting the Friendship Games highlights the city’s vibrant spirit, innovation, unity, and ability to bring people together from around the world.
“The Friendship Games are more than a chance to play and learn basketball—they’re about young leaders bridging divides, learning, and building bonds for lasting peace,” said Jasmine Cooper, Director of PeacePlayers Detroit. “As someone proud to call Detroit home, I’m thrilled to share our city’s resilience, culture, and unmatched spirit with the world. We’re grateful to partner with the Detroit Pistons to make this possible.”
The Detroit Pistons, longstanding partners and supporters of PeacePlayers, have been instrumental in bringing this event to Detroit. Arn Tellem, Pistons Vice Chairman and PeacePlayers Global Board member, emphasized the importance of collaboration: “I’m thrilled to help bring the Friendship Games to Detroit and invite visitors from around the world to experience all the incredible aspects of our great city. Events like this do not happen without great partners and I thank the Detroit Sports Commission and Wayne State University for stepping up to join us in leading this effort. We’re all proud to support this incredible initiative and we encourage others to join us in making this event a success for our city, nation, and world.”
Wayne State University will provide housing and facilities, supporting the event’s positive impact on the community and showcasing Detroit’s hospitality. “We are pleased to welcome the 2025 Friendship Games community of athletes to our campus and support PeacePlayers’ important mission that inspires young people in creating a more peaceful and equitable world,” said Wayne State University President Kimberly Andrews Espy. “As an academic institution rooted in educating and cultivating tomorrow’s leaders, we are excited to play a role in supporting this next generation of students and athletes.”
The Detroit Sports Commission also expressed its enthusiasm: “The Detroit Sports Commission is proud to join the Detroit Pistons and Wayne State University to bring the 2025 Friendship Games to Detroit,” said Marty Dobek, Executive Director of the Detroit Sports Commission. “We deeply respect PeacePlayers’ mission to harness the power of sport to inspire young people, foster inclusivity, and create a more peaceful world.”
The Detroit Sports Commission, alongside philanthropic partners William Davidson Foundation and Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, will ensure the event’s positive impact on the community and beyond.
Businesses, organizations, and individuals are invited to support and participate in the Friendship Games, joining a global movement committed to peace and equity.
For more information on the Friendship Games and sponsorship opportunities, visit https://peaceplayers.org/friendship-games/ or contact David Cassel at [email protected].
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About PeacePlayers: PeacePlayers uses sport to unite, educate, and inspire youth to build a more peaceful, equitable world, impacting over 100,000 young people across 20 countries since 2001.
