The Gay Games is the world's largest LGBTQI+ sport and cultural event: a ten-day gathering held every four years in a different host city. Anyone can take part, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, age or athletic ability. Its founding principles are Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best.
The Games were founded in San Francisco in 1982 by Dr Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete who wanted to create a sporting event where LGBTQI+ athletes could compete openly. Since then they have been held across North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania, most recently in Hong Kong and Guadalajara (2023) and València (2026).
Perth was chosen to host Gay Games XIII at the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) Annual General Assembly in València in October 2025. It narrowly beat Denver in the final vote, at the end of a two-year global selection process. The host contract has since been signed, confirming Perth as the 2030 host city.
The Games run from 9 to 16 March 2030. The Western Australian Government says the programme will include up to 36 sporting events and six cultural events, plus opening and closing ceremonies. The bid was led by Pride WA, the organisation behind Perth's annual PrideFest, with support from Tourism Western Australia.
Perth 2030 will be only the second Gay Games in Oceania, following Sydney 2002. That edition remains one of the best-attended in the event's history, and it is a big part of why many in the community are excited to see the Games return to Australia.
The full Perth 2030 programme hasn't been published yet. Recent Gay Games have offered a broad mix of sports: aquatics, athletics, basketball, football, volleyball, tennis, bowling, cycling, rugby, wrestling, martial arts, dance and more. Competition is organised by age group and, in many sports, by ability level, so first-timers and serious competitors can both find the right level.
The cultural programme usually includes choirs, bands, visual arts and performance, alongside the opening and closing ceremonies and community events. We'll update this page as the organisers release the list of sports, venues and the cultural line-up.
Perth is the sunny capital of Western Australia, on the Swan River and minutes from the Indian Ocean. The city is compact and relaxed. The CBD, the Elizabeth Quay waterfront and Kings Park, one of the world's largest inner-city parks, are all close together. Fremantle, the historic port town with a strong arts scene, is half an hour away by train.
Perth's LGBTQI+ scene centres on the nightlife district of Northbridge and the inner-north suburbs of Highgate, Mount Lawley and Leederville. It's smaller than Sydney's or Melbourne's but friendly and close-knit, and Pride WA's experience running PrideFest means a well-organised programme of social events is likely around the Games.
March is late summer in Perth. Expect long, dry, sunny days with highs typically in the high 20s °C, sometimes over 30°C, and warm ocean temperatures that make Cottesloe and the other city beaches a perfect break between events.
Perth Airport (PER) has non-stop flights to London and Paris, and good connections through Singapore, Dubai, Doha, Kuala Lumpur and Bali. Travellers from North America usually connect through Asia, the Middle East or Sydney and Melbourne. Flights from Sydney and Melbourne take about four to five hours.
The Airport Line connects Perth Airport to the city centre by train in under 20 minutes. Within the city, Transperth trains, buses and ferries are straightforward, and free CAT buses loop through the CBD and Northbridge. Most international visitors need an Australian visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before departure, so check the requirements for your passport well in advance.
The Perth CBD and Elizabeth Quay are the most practical base for Gay Games attendees. They have the largest choice of hotels, good transport links and an easy walk to Northbridge for evenings out. East Perth, along the river, is quieter and has good serviced apartments.
Northbridge itself puts you in the middle of the nightlife. Highgate and Mount Lawley offer leafy streets, independent bars and short-stay apartments in the heart of the queer community. If you'd rather be near the water, Fremantle and the beach suburbs such as Cottesloe and Scarborough are great options, as long as you're happy to commute in for events.
Gay Games host cities fill up fast as the dates approach, and Perth's hotel stock is smaller than Sydney's or Melbourne's. March also overlaps with the end of Perth's festival season and the busy late-summer travel period. Once the venues are announced, book refundable accommodation early and adjust later if your plans change.
Groups and teams usually get the best value from self-catering apartments in the CBD, East Perth or Northbridge. Many teams also book together to stay near their competition venues, so keep an eye on your sports federation's or club's travel plans before you lock anything in.
Australia is one of the world's most LGBTQI+-friendly countries. Same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide since 2017, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited under federal law, and Western Australia reformed its gender recognition laws in 2024. Perth is a very safe and welcoming city for visitors.
The Australian sun is strong, especially in March. Wear SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, drink plenty of water, and swim between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches. Many visitors combine the Games with a trip to Rottnest Island, the Margaret River wine region or the rest of Australia, so it's worth building in extra days.
Gay Games XIII: Perth, Western Australia, 9–16 March 2030. Perth's host contract with the Federation of Gay Games has been signed. The full sports programme, venues and registration details are still to be announced. This will be the second Gay Games held in Oceania, after Sydney 2002.
