The Gay Games is the world's largest LGBTQI+ sports and cultural event — a 10-day gathering held every four years that brings together thousands of athletes, cultural participants, and supporters from across the globe. Gay Games XII comes to València, Spain from 27 June to 4 July 2026, marking the first time the Games has been held in Spain and the first time in southern Europe since Athens.
The Gay Games was founded in San Francisco in 1982 by Dr Tom Waddell, a US decathlete and gay activist who envisioned an alternative to the Olympic Games — one built on the principles of participation, inclusion, and personal best rather than elite exclusivity. The founding motto, 'Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best™', remains the heart of the event. You don't need to be an elite athlete to compete. You don't need to be LGBTQI+ to participate. You need only the willingness to show up.
Gay Games XII is organised by the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) in partnership with the València host committee. Registration is open at gaygames.org. The event expects thousands of participants from dozens of countries, making it one of the largest international gatherings of queer people anywhere in the world.
The Gay Games sports programme at València 2026 spans dozens of disciplines across multiple venues across the city. Aquatics (swimming, water polo, diving) is a Gay Games staple and a major draw; the pool events are competitive and enthusiastically watched. Track and field, cycling, bowling, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, and a full range of court sports feature alongside grass sports including rugby, football, and cricket.
Dance is a Gay Games highlight — ballroom, swing, tango, cheerleading, and ice dance all feature depending on host city facilities. Mat sports (martial arts, wrestling, judo) round out a remarkably broad programme. The full confirmed sports list for València 2026 is published at gaygames.org as registration opens.
Competition is open to everyone regardless of skill level. Events are typically divided by age category, with medals awarded to podium finishers in each category. Crucially, every participant receives a participation medal — the Gay Games philosophy is that showing up and competing is itself an achievement worth celebrating. Many participants describe the experience of competing at the Gay Games as one of the most meaningful of their sporting lives, regardless of where they finish.
Alongside the sports, the Gay Games runs a full cultural programme. The Opening Ceremony is a parade around the main stadium followed by an evening of entertainment — it sets the tone for the entire event and is genuinely moving, particularly the Memorial Moment that remembers LGBTQI+ people lost in the years since the last Games.
The International Rainbow Memorial Run is a community fun run through the city — pride flags encouraged, pace optional. It's one of the most joyful events of the week and a great way to see the host city on foot with several thousand of your closest new friends.
The Pink Flamingo is a beloved Gay Games tradition: aquatics teams perform theatrical routines at the pool, combining competitive swimming with costume and spectacle. It is reliably one of the most entertaining events of the Games. The Festival Village is the social hub throughout the 10 days — a central space with performances, workshops, art exhibitions, food and drink, and the Gay Games Village atmosphere of constant new arrivals and reunions.
Workshops run throughout the event on topics from LGBTQI+ activism and queer sports history to vogueing and dance. These are open to all participants and spectators and are a great way to fill the hours between your own competition schedule.
The Closing Ceremony brings the Games to a formal end — medals, speeches, and a handover to the host city of the next Games. It's emotional and celebratory in equal measure.
València is Spain's third-largest city and one of its most underrated — overshadowed internationally by Madrid and Barcelona, but beloved by those who know it. The city sits on the Mediterranean coast of eastern Spain, at the mouth of the Turia river, and has a warmth and openness that makes it an excellent host for an event like the Gay Games.
The city is famous as the birthplace of paella, the home of the spectacular City of Arts and Sciences (the futuristic complex designed by Santiago Calatrava that has become one of Spain's most photographed landmarks), and for Las Fallas — the annual festival of fire, floats, and fireworks each March. The old town is compact and walkable, the beach is reachable by tram, and the food scene is outstanding.
València's LGBTQI+ scene is concentrated in the Russafa neighbourhood — a creative, gentrified area south of the historic centre with a dense cluster of queer-friendly bars, cafes, and independent shops. It's much smaller than Barcelona's Eixample scene but warm and community-minded. The Gay Games will significantly expand the city's queer visibility for the duration of the event.
Late June and early July in València is hot — average highs of 28–30°C with intense Mediterranean sun. The sea temperature is warm and swimming is excellent. Evenings cool slightly but remain warm. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and plan outdoor activity for the early morning and late evening if heat is a concern.
València Airport (VLC) has direct connections from major European cities, including London, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, and most major Spanish airports. It's a smaller airport than Madrid Barajas or Barcelona El Prat, but flight options from Europe are good. From North America, the most common routing is via Madrid, London, or Amsterdam. The airport Metro (Line 3 and 5) connects directly to the city centre in around 20 minutes.
València is also very well connected by high-speed rail (AVE). From Madrid it's a 1h 45min journey; from Barcelona around 3h 30min. For European visitors combining València with wider Spanish travel, rail is excellent. The main station, Estació del Nord, is centrally located in the city.
The historic centre and Russafa are the best bases for Gay Games attendees. The historic centre puts you close to the major cultural venues and the old town; Russafa puts you in the heart of the LGBTQI+ social scene and is more relaxed and residential. Both are walkable to major parts of the city.
Accommodation in València is significantly more affordable than Madrid or Barcelona, which is one of the practical advantages of this host city. Book 3–4 months in advance for Gay Games week — the event will fill the city, and while València has good hotel capacity, demand will be high. The Federation of Gay Games typically negotiates partner hotel rates with selected properties; check the official website once announced.
The Beach (El Cabanyal neighbourhood) is a scenic alternative if you want to be near the water, though it's a tram ride from the City of Arts and Sciences venues where some events may be held.
Registration for Gay Games XII València 2026 is open at gaygames.org. Athletes register for specific sports; cultural participants register for cultural events. Individual registration and team/club registration are both available. Registration fees vary by event and category — check the official site for current pricing.
The Gay Games is explicitly open to all genders and sexualities. Spectators do not need to register; sports events are typically free to watch with a Games pass, and the Festival Village is open to registered participants.
For first-time Gay Games attendees: the community is extraordinarily welcoming. The scale can be overwhelming — thousands of people, dozens of venues, a packed 10-day schedule. Build in rest days, don't over-schedule yourself, and prioritise the Opening Ceremony, the Festival Village, and at least one event you wouldn't normally attend. Many people return from their first Gay Games describing it as a life-changing experience.
València's affordability relative to Madrid and Barcelona is genuine — mid-range hotels in the historic centre and Russafa typically run 20–35% cheaper than comparable properties in Spain's two larger cities. That said, the Gay Games draws significant international visitor numbers and demand during the event period is high. Book accommodation as soon as the event programme is confirmed (typically 9–12 months in advance for major hotels). The FGG official accommodation partner offers block-booked rooms at negotiated rates; check gaygames.org for the accommodation portal.
The best value approach for groups is a self-catering apartment in Russafa or the historic centre. València has an excellent short-term rental market, and a well-located apartment puts you in walking distance of the cultural programme venues and the LGBTQI+ bar scene with the flexibility to manage your own schedule. Book these 9–12 months out for peak dates: the opening and closing ceremonies and the weekend during the Games will see the most accommodation pressure.
Spain is one of Europe's most LGBTQI+-friendly countries: same-sex marriage has been legal since 2005, transgender identity protections are among the strongest in the world, and public attitudes in València and other major cities are overwhelmingly welcoming. The Gay Games atmosphere in the host city is typically celebratory rather than charged — you will see rainbow flags across the city centre, hotels displaying welcome messages, and a general sense that the whole city is engaged with the event.
The climate during late June and early July in València is intense: expect daily highs of 28–32°C. Stay hydrated, apply sunscreen early and often, and build in recovery time between outdoor events. Most indoor venues will be air-conditioned. The Mediterranean sea is excellent for cooling off — the Beach is easily reachable from the city centre via tram (Line 5 from Torres Serrans). Spanish is the dominant language, though Valencian (a dialect of Catalan) is co-official; English is widely spoken in the tourist and LGBTQI+ zones. Euros are the currency; contactless payment is accepted almost universally.
Gay Games XII — València, Spain, 27 June – 4 July 2026. Registration open at gaygames.org. First Gay Games held in Spain.
