Liverpool Joins Race for Hosting the 2030 Gay Games

The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) announced today the results of the first phase of bidding for Gay Games XIII. 25 cities on 6 continents expressed an interest in bidding by submitting an official response to the FGG’s Request for Information (RFI). The FGG is proud to maintain an equitable, supportive, and transparent bidding process which empowers communities to mobilise their stakeholders and unite to participate in the global LGBTQIA+ movement as athletes, artists, and allies.

The Gay Games sporting and culture event is an opportunity to invite over ten thousand LGBTQIA+ participants and allies to one’s region. The week-long event represents a critical cultural and economic opportunity providing significant economic impact to a region. Recent impact studies reported Paris (2018) at 107€ million and Cleveland/Akron (2014) at $52 million. Read more about the economic impact of the Gay Games here: https://gaygames.org/latest-news/6932300  

The 25 cities submitting expression of interest for Gay Games XIII 2030 are:

Adelaide Australia
Melbourne Australia
Perth Australia
São Paulo Brazil
Edmonton Canada
Vancouver Canada
Frankfurt Germany
Athens Greece
Auckland New Zealand
Cape Town South Africa
Johannesburg South Africa
Taipei Taiwan
Liverpool UK
London UK
Atlanta USA
Birmingham USA
Boston USA
Denver USA
Honolulu USA
Miami USA
Minneapolis USA
Oak Creek USA
San Antonio USA
San Diego USA
Seattle USA

Andi Herring, CEO of LCR Pride Foundation, said: “Since founding LCR Pride Foundation one of our ambitions has been to host The Gay Games. Five years later, it is great to see our city region listed in the long-list for the 2030 Games and are delighted to be amongst such good company.

“Our commitment to making Liverpool City Region the most LGBT+ friendly region in the UK has gone from strength to strength in the past five years, combined with the region’s rich sporting history and renowned reputation worldwide makes the city region a fitting host.”

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said: “We’re always looking ahead to what events we can host in Liverpool and the wider city region, and we’re delighted to support LCR Pride Foundation in throwing our hat in the ring to host the Gay Games.

“We’re a city committed to embracing all communities, and hosting the most successful Eurovision ever showcased how we – on a global stage – excel when it comes to fostering diversity, combining it with creativity and scouse flair.

“There’s a long way to go in the process, but we look forward to working with LCR Pride to ensure Liverpool’s bid stands out.”

Officer of Site Selection, Austin Manning, conveyed the excitement of the FGG in receiving such emphatic early interest in hosting Gay Games XIII: “This record breaking interest for hosting the 2030 Gay Games showcases a truly global sports and culture movement with regions around the world taking the first step in bidding to host the Gay Games quadrennial event. As regions and countries around the world continue to take legislative and social action to protect human rights and create pathways to equality for all, the 2030 Long List includes 25 cities committed to empowering, uplifting, and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community at home and abroad.”

In March 2024, each of the listed cities will receive a Request for Proposal (RFP) detailing the documentation bidders will be required to submit, covering a broad range of subjects such as sports they plan to host, facilities they plan to use, funding, organization composition, and more. The FGG will have a first in-person contact with bidders at the next Annual General Assembly, October 2024, in Washington, DC, USA,, where bidders will be invited to attend an information session and interact with FGG stakeholders and member organizations, including presentation of Preliminary Bid Books and participation in Q&A sessions.

Over the next two years, bidders will develop their plans in coordination with the FGG and its member delegates leading to the selection of the FGG presumptive host for the 2030 Gay Games XIII in November 2025 in Valencia, Spain.Gay Games XII Valencia 2026 will take place in June 2026 and registrations will open in the coming months. Further information can be found at https://gaygamesvalencia2026.com/  

About the Federation of Gay Games

Built upon the principles of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™ since 1982, the Federation of Gay Games exists to promote equality in sport and culture for all. The Gay Games was conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982. Subsequent Gay Games were held in San Francisco (1986), Vancouver (1990), New York (1994), Amsterdam (1998), Sydney (2002), Chicago (2006), Cologne (2010), Cleveland+Akron (2014), Paris (2018), Hong Kong and Guadalajara (2023), and Gay Games XII takes place in Valencia in 2026..

“Gay Games,” “Federation of Gay Games,” the interlocking circles device, and the phrase “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best” are trademarks of the Federation of Gay Games, Inc. Trademarks are registered in the USA, Canada, Benelux, the UK, Germany, and Australia.