Gay Games in Valencia? The event would have an economic impact of 135 million

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The city of Valencia has made its official presentation as one of the three finalist cities, along with Munich (Germany) and Guadalajara (Mexico) to host the 2026 Gay Games and has assured that it wants to be "the light of diversity » and an example of tolerance, social rights and freedom.

An inspection of the organization will visit the city Phone Number List from August 13 to 17. Subsequently, the defense of the candidacy will be in Hong Kong , headquarters of the 2022 edition, from November 5 to 9. And on that last day, the winning city will be announced among the shortlist.

The Gay Games will be held for 12 days. The dates of the 2026 edition will be between May 27 and June 7, a period in which 36 sports disciplines will be competed . Some 12,000 athletes and almost 100,000 visitors are expected to participate. Likewise, an economic impact for the city of about 135 million euros is estimated .

The cities that have already hosted the Gay Games
Before the last edition in Paris, the games were held in Cleveland (2014), Cologne (2010), Chicago (2006), Sydney (2002), Amsterdam (1998), New York (1994), Vancouver (1990) and San Francisco (1986 and 1982).

The 'president' of the Generalitat, Ximo Puig, attended the presentation ceremony of Valencia's candidacy in the Veles i Vents building in La Marina ; as well as the president of the Provincial Council of Valencia, Toni Gaspar , and the Sports Councilor of the city council, Pilar Bernabé , among other institutional positions, as well as presidents of several sports federations and representatives of the business sector. In Fitur, the Valencian capital has already shown part of its cards to host this sporting event .

Puig assured that "hosting these games is being part of the values ​​of this group and is fighting for public freedoms and social rights. Seeing what is happening in Europe, in countries like Hungary, the visibility of the battle for decency is absolutely necessary.




«Hosting this event is a unique opportunity that multiplies the positive image of the city and the entire Valencian Community. It represents a great sporting, cultural, social and economic impact for the city. Inclusion involves all of us," he stressed.

Valencia is a land of “solidarity, tolerance and freedom; "not just having a few beers"
For his part, Gaspar highlighted the joint work of the three institutions in this candidacy, which he assured shows that Valencia is a land of "solidarity, tolerance and freedom; not just having a few beers.

Bernabé pointed out that it was the Spanish Government that suggested València present its candidacy given its capacity to organize sporting events. "And for being a reference for inclusive land ," he added.

The representatives of the LGTBI+ sports clubs 'Samarucs' and 'Dracs' recalled the existence of 'LGTBIphobia' in sport and how at the Rio Olympic Games only 0.05% of athletes made their belonging to this group visible. They consider that this shows that sport "continues to be a hostile territory for LGTBI athletes .