The Gay Games XII 2026 Presumptive Host City Has Been Announced
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In February of this year, the Federation of Gay Games General Assembly announced that three cities had been shortlisted to host the 2026 Gay Games XII. This week, they announced that of those three cities, Valencia, Spain has won the bid as presumptive host city!
We are happy to announce @Valencia Bid City Gay Games XII 2026 as a presumptive host city for 2026 Gay Games XII. Congratulations Team Valencia!#GayGames #Gamesthatchangetheworld #Gaygames2026 #GayGamexVLC #LGBTSpain #LGBTValencia #VisitValencia #Valencia #Spain pic.twitter.com/JgObe51iCZ
— Gay Games (@GayGames) November 11, 2021
“We are happy to announce @Valencia Bid City Gay Games XII 2026 as a presumptive host city for 2026 Gay Games XII. Congratulations Team Valencia!”
RELATED | These 3 Cities Are on the Shortlist for Hosting the 2026 Gay Games XII
Founded as the Gay Olympics in San Francisco in 1982, the Federation of Gay Games seeks to promote equality for all people— particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community— around the world. In addition to holding the Gay Games every four years, they also award scholarships to underfunded individuals to physically bring them to the Games and work with nonprofits in the host cities themselves.
Based on the values of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best, everyone is welcome to the Gay Games, meaning that no one is discluded based on their “sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political belief(s), athletic/artistic ability, physical challenge, age, or health status.” The Gay Games have literally changed the world by being the largest sports and cultural event that’s open to all participants. In addition, they’ve challenged traditionally accepted mentalities in sports and media: expanding women’s sports, creating age-based categories, and implementing a transgendered inclusion policy— just to name a few.
Gay Games XI, which has been postponed to 2023, will take place in Hong Kong. They’ve previously been held in cities like Sydney, Vancouver, Amsterdam, and Chicago— and 2023 will be the first year a city in Asia is hosting them.
You can learn more about the Federation of Gay Games’ mission, impact, and legacy here.
