After a highly competitive bidding process, the Federation of Gay Games has announced Auckland (New Zealand), Denver (USA) and Perth (Australia) as the three short listed cities moving forward in their bid to host the Gay Games in 2030.
These cities represent the best in diversity, inclusivity, and capability to host an event that celebrates the values of the Gay Games. Each brings unique cultural and logistical strengths, promising an extraordinary experience for participants and spectators alike.
“We’re incredibly excited to move into the Top 3 to host Gay Games 2030. Perth’s bid is from ground up; directly from Perth’s LGBTQIA+ sporting teams. We want the world to share in our dynamic, vibrant and inclusive community.” said Laurie Butterly from the Perth bid.
“GGDen2030 is excited to continue our mission of bringing the Gay Games to Denver in 2030 to unite our global LGBTQ+ communities; Together! Out West!” said Lance Husak from the Denver bid.
“This milestone brings us closer to hosting an event that will unite communities, celebrate our vibrant LGBTQIA+ whānau, and showcase Auckland’s stunning waterfront, breathtaking landscapes, and unique cultural identity to the world,” said Angus McDougall from the Auckland bid.
“We are thrilled to congratulate Auckland, Denver, and Perth on advancing as finalists on this journey toward selecting the host city for Gay Games XIII in 2030.” said Austin Manning, Officer of Site Selection at the FGG.
“Each city has worked incredibly hard to present themselves as a potential host, and has firmly stamped their local culture and uniqueness onto their proposals. This milestone is not just about choosing a city; it’s about envisioning a future where LGBTQ+ sports and culture, and the values we have in common, shine brighter than ever.”
“We look forward to the next 12 months and working closely with the three teams as they prepare their final bid books for review in October 2025,” said Manning.
The FGG extended its heartfelt gratitude to the three cities that did not proceed to the next round – Cape Town, Edmonton and Taipei, as well as the team in Melbourne who withdrew from the selection process last month.
Their dedication, creativity, and vision during the bidding process showcased their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and the values of the Gay Games. Their efforts will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact.
The journey is far from over. The next milestone in the process involves the short list cities delivering a more detailed document outlining the organisation of the event down to the smallest details to ensure everything is anticipated.
The FGG will then undertake comprehensive evaluations and site visits to the finalist cities, culminating in the final vote at the Annual General Assembly in October 2025, where individual and group Q&A sessions and additional in person presentations will occur.
The FGG look forward to making this pivotal decision and announcing the host city for Gay Games XIII in 2030.
The 2026 Gay Games will be hosted in Valencia, Spain.
For more information about the Federation of Gay Games, visit: www.gaygames.org for details.
Image: Perth Gay Games Bid 2030 Logo (sourced)