London has launched its campaign to host WorldPride 2032, with organisers aiming to bring the world's largest international LGBTQ+ festival back to the capital 20 years after it last staged the event.
If successful, London would become the first city to host WorldPride twice, having previously welcomed the global celebration in 2012. The event would also coincide with the 60th anniversary of the UK's first Pride march, held in 1972.
The bid is being backed by Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, who said the capital's LGBTQ+ communities have played a vital role in shaping the city.
Writing in The Standard, Khan said: "Hundreds of thousands of uncelebrated LGBTQIA+ Londoners bring love and joy to our lives every day. Together, they have made London the modern, multicultural metropolis it is today - and they are the reason that WorldPride belongs in our city.
"Given the opportunity, we'll show the world that, in the face of division, our diversity remains our greatest strength."
WorldPride is held every two years and is one of the largest international LGBTQ+ events, bringing together Pride organisations, activists and communities from around the world. Since its launch in Rome in 2000, it has been hosted in cities including Sydney, New York, Madrid and, most recently, Amsterdam.
London's previous WorldPride celebration in 2012 marked the 40th anniversary of the UK's first Pride march. While financial difficulties forced organisers to scale back some planned activities, around 25,000 people took part in the parade through central London.
As part of the 2032 campaign, the London WorldPride 2032 Bid Committee has launched two competitions designed to place LGBTQ+ communities at the heart of the bid.
Artists, designers and creatives across the UK are being invited to submit concepts for an official bid logo that reflects London's diversity, creativity and the significance of hosting WorldPride. The winning designer will receive a £3,000 prize, with the logo set to become the official symbol of London's bid if selected.
The committee is also seeking photographs from LGBTQ+ people and allies around the world celebrating Pride, identity, belonging and community. The images will form part of an immersive installation at Outernet London, where thousands of submissions will be brought together to create a single visual representation of global Pride.
The winning logo design will be unveiled through the installation on Outernet London's digital screens at the end of October 2026.
Submissions for both competitions are now open through the Pride in London website. Entries close on 25 September 2026, with winners due to be announced in early October.
WorldPride 2026 was held in Amsterdam, where organisers celebrated 25 years since the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage, while highlighting ongoing efforts to promote LGBTQ+ rights, diversity and inclusion.
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