Manchester and the West of Ireland compete to host EuroPride 2028

Lead Pic from QuareClare

Two bids have been confirmed as in the running to host the 2028 edition of EuroPride.

Manchester Pride, which hosted EuroPride in 2003, will compete with a joint ‘West of Ireland’ bid from Limerick Pride, QuareClare and the Outing Festival.

Attracting over 100,000 people annually from around the world, EuroPride is hosted by a different European city each year. The event has previously been held in London, Thessaloniki, Cologne, Warsaw, Rome, Oslo, Madrid, and Zurich. This year’s event takes place over nine days this June in Lisbon, Portugal.

Patrick Orth, President of the European Pride Organisers Association (EPOA) which licenses EuroPride, welcomed the bids saying: “The high velocity of political change across Europe is making EuroPride even more important for our community to come together and keep pressing for change.

“The political shifts in the UK and Ireland are no less profound and so it is exciting to have bids from both countries to centre their LGBTQ+ communities in European consciousness. I look forward to seeing their ambitions in their full bid later this year.”

Both teams now have some time to finalise their bids before they are published in August and reviewed by EPOA’s member Prides, each having one vote. Bids will be presented at the EPOA annual conference in Barcelona in October, with the winner expected to be announced on Saturday, 11 October.

Mark Fletcher, Chief Executive of Manchester Pride, said: “At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are being challenged throughout Europe there are increasing attacks on LGBTQ+ people, delays with essential legislation and rollback of protections here in the UK, alongside a rise in hate-fuelled rhetoric across the continent. Hosting EuroPride 2028 in Manchester will send a clear message: our communities will not be silenced, erased, or pushed back into the shadows.

“EuroPride 2028 in Manchester would be a bold, unapologetic celebration of LGBTQ+ joy, creativity, and resilience, bringing us together in solidarity of the Pride movement to protest, party and campaign for change. It is a crucial time for the progression of LGBTQ+ rights and we are calling on our neighbours for support. Together we are stronger.”

Eddie McGuinness, spokesperson for the EuroPride Ireland 2028 bid, said: “The Outing Queer Arts Collective & Festival, QuareClare, and Limerick LGBTQ+ Pride in our bid for EuroPride 2028 in County Clare and County Limerick in Ireland. This presents a unique chance for LGBTQ+ community to experience Ireland’s rich culture and spirit.

“Hosting EuroPride 2028 would be a historic milestone, celebrating love, diversity, and acceptance against the stunning backdrop of the Wild Atlantic Way. This event would highlight island of Ireland’s welcoming nature and extend ‘Pride in Our Community’.

“Let’s create a momentous festival together. Céad Míle Fáilte to all international visitors!”

EuroPride began in London in 1992 and in recent years has taken place in Copenhagen, Belgrade, Malta and Thessaloniki, and this year will be in Lisbon from 14-22 June. Next year EuroPride will run alongside WorldPride in Amsterdam, and in 2027 EuroPride will be in Turin.