Liverpool City Region could host the Gay Games in 2030

The Federation of Gay Games has announced the results of the first phase of bidding for Gay Games XIII and Liverpool has made the short list.

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.

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

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.”

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.”

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.

LCR Pride champions the rights of LGBT+ people living in and visiting the region. It fights to highlight the daily barriers they face and create an inclusive culture for all to enjoy and participate in, through a diverse programme of events, initiatives, and campaigns.

For more information visit: www.lcrpride.co.uk.

Get the latest for Liverpool City Region HERE.