Denver in Final Two to Host 2030 Gay Games

Denver is one of the two finalists to host the 2030 Gay Games, the local bid committee announced this week after submitted an expanded, final bid book to try and bring the international event to the United States for the first time in over a decade.

Denver is trying to become the first U.S. city to host the event since Cleveland in 2014. The other final candidate is Perth, Australia, after Auckland, New Zealand, withdrew its bid.

A Denver-hosted Gay Games would bring over 12,000 participants and spectators. The Gay Games have taken place in North America five previous times — San Francisco (1986), Vancouver (1990), New York (1994), Chicago (2006), Cleveland+Akron (2014). The 2026 Games are set to take place in Valencia.

The Denver committee will prepare for the official Federation of Gay Games site inspection in July. The visit provides an opportunity to showcase the existing venues across the region earmarked to host the proposed 36 sporting events, alongside a complementary slate of cultural activities.

Following the site visits, the committee will have in-person presentations at the FGG’s annual General Assembly meeting of international voting members, board members and Honorary Life Members in October in Valencia. The presumptive host for the 2030 Games is expected to be announced at the conclusion of the meeting.

The Gay Games is an international sporting and cultural event held every four years under the principles of “participation, inclusion and personal best.”