More than 8,500 sign up for Gay Games Valencia 2026

Registrations for the Gay Games Valencia 2026 have passed 8,500, organisers have confirmed, just weeks before the international LGBTQ+ sporting and cultural festival opens in Spain.

The event, which will run from 27 June to 5 July, is expected to bring thousands of athletes, artists and supporters from around the world to the city, making it one of the largest global gatherings celebrating inclusion, diversity and participation in sport.

Organisers said the strong early registration figures reflected growing interest in the Games, which are open to participants of all abilities, genders and sexual orientations. Competitors will take part in dozens of sporting disciplines, alongside a programme of cultural events, ceremonies and community activities spread across Valencia.

The Gay Games are held every four years and are guided by the principles of participation, inclusion and personal best, rather than elite performance. Valencia 2026 will be the first time the Games have been hosted in Spain, with local authorities and LGBTQ+ groups working alongside the Federation of Gay Games to deliver the event.

In a statement, organisers said they expected numbers to continue rising in the coming weeks as teams and individual athletes finalise travel plans. The Games are also anticipated to provide a significant boost to the local economy, with hotels, hospitality venues and cultural institutions preparing for an influx of international visitors.

Valencia’s hosting of the Games comes amid a broader push by the city to promote itself as an inclusive, welcoming destination, with organisers emphasising both the sporting legacy of the event and its wider social message of visibility and equality for LGBTQ+ people worldwide.

Opening and closing ceremonies are set to take place at major venues across the city, with further details of the full programme expected to be released closer to the start of the Games.