The originally American but international Gay Games head to Valencia in Spain for 2026. The València Gay Games XII 2026 will take place in the month of June. 

After the controversial choice for Hong Kong for Gay Games XI in 2023, the organisation added Guadalajara in Mexico as co-host. Political evolution in the Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China didn’t go in the direction people hoped for. 

So Valencia will not be as controversial. Although the accent on the è in València is also not unpolitical. It underlines the Valencian (Catalan) language. Oddly both the València Gay Games XII 2026 website and the Valencia tourism board use both spellings.

Anyway. 

“These Games will boast a host of sports for you to participate in, or just enjoy from the spectators’ area.  Additionally we’ll host multiple cultural events such as band music and pyrotechnic displays as well as local musicians, cheerleading and choral events, video mapping and art exhibitions”, a newsletter says. 

“And that’s all alongside the classic Gay Games staples like our emblematic Opening Ceremony, the International Rainbow Memorial Run, the Memorial Moment, the epic Pink Flamingo and our spectacular Closing Ceremony.”

“And of course you’ll be invited to spend as much time as you want at our incredible Gay Games Village, a fantastic welcoming space for all our participants and supporters to meet each other whilst enjoying live music, creative arts, food trucks, and family spaces.”

“Our preparations are underway right now, and first on the list is the new and improved registration system.  Registration will open in the coming months.”

Local sports

More than 37 sports open to participation of all genders and four local sports open and inclusive: colpbol, kayak polo, pelota valenciana and quidditch.

Government support

Contrary to Hong Kong, València Gay Games XII 2026 does get plenty of government(s) support. The national Government of Spain, the regional Government of Valencia (Generalitat Valenciana), the City of Valencia, València Diversitat and various government agencies involving sports, diversity and tourism. 

Queer human rights

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• ILGA-EUROPE | 2022 deadliest rise in homophobic and transphobic violence in over a decade.
• EXHIBITION | ‘Homosexuals and Lesbians in Nazi Europe’, Kazerne Dossin, Mechelen.
• 71 (68) countries where gay sex is illegal.
• RAINBOW EUROPE MAP AND INDEX 2023 | These are the LGBTQIA+ friendly and LGBTQIA+ unfriendly countries in Europe.
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• RAINBOW EUROPE MAP AND INDEX 2021 | These are the LGBTQI-friendly and LGBTQI-unfriendly countries in Europe.
• RAINBOW EUROPE MAP AND INDEX 2020 | These are the LGBT-friendly and LGBT-unfriendly countries in Europe.
• Political and governmental homophobia and transphobia in Europe not necessarily backed by public opinion.
• COVID-19 and Anti-LGBTQI initiatives make queer life harder in Europe.
• To be or not to be out and proud LGBTQ when travelling?.
• Are you travelling to a hostile destination?.
• ILGA-Europe: COVID-19 affected LGBTI people’s human rights heavily.
• European Union declared ‘LGBTIQ Freedom Zone’ as Belgium mourns murdered gay man.
• Travel guide for people with HIV.
• European Union declared ‘LGBTIQ Freedom Zone’ but reality is quite different.
• A plea for LGBTQ travel in post-communist Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Queer in a hostile world: more likely to be arrested for looking gay than for actual homosexual acts.