Gay Games XII Valencia 2026

The Gay Games are back, and for their 12th edition, they're heading to Valencia. Spain's third-largest city will host ten days of sports, culture, and what's essentially a giant party.

Gay Games Valencia 2026 bills itself as the world's biggest LGBTQ+ sports and cultural event. They'll have athletes from over 70 countries, competing in 38 sports: everything from swimming and tennis to equestrian and powerlifting.

The whole thing started in San Francisco in 1982, dreamt up by Olympic decathlete Dr. Tom Waddell. His big idea was radical for the time: participation, not just performance. Unlike the Olympics, you don't need to qualify for the Gay Games. Anyone can compete. That means a first-time marathon runner might be running alongside a world-record holder, and they'll both get cheered just as hard.

Valencia itself is a good spot for it. You've got those Mediterranean beaches, the Gothic and modernist buildings, and a food scene that's probably one of Spain's best. The closing ceremony on July 4 will gather thousands of athletes for what's usually a pretty emotional moment in international LGBTQ+ sport.