València Gay Games surpass 7,000 registrations
- More than 7,000 LGBTQIA+ athletes and allies from 65 different countries have confirmed their participation in the Gay Games XII València 2026 (June 27–July 4).
- Registration numbers allow the local organizing committee to launch initiatives such as the City Training Program, the Scholarship Program, and the School of Journalism for Diversity.
The Gay Games XII València 2026 already have the support and enthusiasm of more than 7,000 athletes from around the world. As of today, 7,250 LGBTQIA+ participants and allies have confirmed their attendance at this international celebration of sport, culture, and diversity. “This number reinforces the excitement of a team that has spent six years working toward this dream. Every registration reminds us that it is now a reality,” the local organizing committee said.
Participation growth, they explain, is “significant.” The previous edition of the Gay Games brought together 2,634 participants in Guadalajara and 2,381 in Hong Kong. In the ranking of registered nationalities, the United States and the United Kingdom lead the list, followed by Germany, Australia, Canada, France, and Spain.
“Thanks to the resources generated through registrations, we can carry out projects that will leave a lasting legacy in València and across the country, such as the City Training Program, the School of Journalism for Diversity, and the scholarship program,” the organizing committee explained.
The City Training Program will begin at the end of February and will address topics such as sexual diversity, communication for equality and against hate speech, misinformation prevention, and physical and cognitive accessibility. These training sessions are open to anyone interested and are especially designed for people involved in this edition of the Gay Games (retail, hospitality, sports organizations, volunteers, etc.).
Another initiative is the School of Journalism for Diversity (EPxD). The EPxD has already opened its application period and is seeking 10 journalism students from universities across Spain to serve as correspondents for university or local media during the Gay Games in València.
Meanwhile, the scholarship program — which aims to ensure accessibility to the event so that “no one is left off the global playing field of LGBTQIA+ sport” — is currently in the selection phase. Through collaboration between the Federation of Gay Games and the local organizing committee, the program is expected to support the participation of hundreds of athletes from around the world.
About the Gay Games
The Gay Games are an international event blending sports, culture, and community. They were founded nearly 50 years ago with a clear mission: to celebrate diversity and amplify the visibility of LGTBIAQ+ identities alongside all allies—removing barriers and focusing on participation, connection, and joy.
Gay Games XII Valencia 2026 will take place from June 27 to July 4, 2026. Over the course of the week, thousands of participants from around the globe will gather in Valencia to compete in dozens of sports—from soccer to pétanque—enjoy a wide range of cultural activities, and celebrate diversity together in a safe, inclusive environment.
If case you need it, we are attaching photographic materia of Gay Games XII València 2026. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1c1ktyWBD3twqWnUECxcrdKv9qQQ_drgD?usp=sharing
Please do not hesitate to reach out on press@gaygamesvalencia2026.com.
