Denver Bid Committee Releases 2030 Gay Games XIII Candidacy
Members of the Gay Games Denver 2030 Bid Committee with Denver Mayor Johnston and Council Member Watson
Twenty-five potential bid cities from six continents, including Denver, are competing to welcome more than 10,000 LGBTQIA+ people for a week-long event that is vital to both cultural and economic opportunities.
The lengthy list of potential locations vying to host Gay Games XIII was made public by the Federation of Gay Games (FGG). Denver’s Bid Committee met again to compete for the right to host Gay Games Denver 2030 (GGDen2030), after the city placed eighth out of eight contenders for the 2022 Games.
GGDen2030 has extensive ties to LGBTQIA+ government leaders, allies, sports teams, and cultural organizations on a local and regional level. This extensive network provides a solid framework for the world’s largest inclusive multisport and cultural event to be organized.
In collaboration with Visit Denver, the local tourism bureau, GGDen2030’s Bid Committee is made up of a varied mix of athletes and artists that represent a range of age groups, gender identities, races, career backgrounds, and sexual orientations. Denver would benefit politically, commercially, and culturally from its thriving LGBTQIA+ community if it were chosen to host the Gay Games as the first city in the region. Denver is already a popular destination for tourists, sports fans, and culture vultures, thanks to the backing of the local community.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston remarked, “I am thrilled about the prospect of hosting the 2030 Gay Games in our vibrant city.” “Embracing diversity and celebrating inclusivity, we stand ready to welcome athletes and artists from around the world with open arms, ensuring an unforgettable experience filled with unity, pride, and the spirit of competition.” For a video recommendation from Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and City Council Member Darrell Watson, please click this link.
“Athletes may succeed in Colorado regardless of who they love or how they identify. We accept players from all backgrounds and believe that Colorado is the ideal state for athletic training and tournaments. Colorado Governor Jared Polis stated, “I hope to welcome the Gay Games to Colorado in 2030, and maybe I’ll even try out for the baseball team.” For a video endorsement from Colorado Governor Jared Polis, please click this link.
The Gay Games are important to the community because of the cultural and economic impact that LGBTQIA+ people have on it. The FGG impact analysis states that in 2014, Cleveland/Akron reported $52 million in community profits, while Paris reported 107€ million in profits in 2018.
In October 2024, each city hoping to host the event will present to the FGG General Assembly after submitting a formal written bid. The winning offer will be revealed in November 2025, after the top three cities are revealed in December 2024 for additional site selection consideration.
“Denver’s bid for the 2030 Gay Games will do more than just ‘change the world.’ Colorado is home to a plethora of LGBTQIA+ sport and culture organizations, and it holds the distinction of being the first elected gay governor in the United States. It will make a strong message about inclusion, advancement, and the boundless potential of the LGBTQIA+ community.” — Lance Husak, Co-Chair of GGDen2030
“Denver is in a unique position to carry on the Gay Games’ heritage and the original idea of organizing an international unification experiment. Inclusion will be exemplified by GGDen2030. It serves as a platform for education, a celebration of culture, and an opportunity to engage with our communities and motivate the next generation.” — Courtney von Bergen, co-chair of GGDen2030
GGDen2030 issues a directive:
Register for updates and more at www.ggden2030.com. Send an email to info@ggden2030.com.
letters of support from governments, corporations, media outlets, athletes, and cultural institutions, as well as LGBTQIA+ and ally celebrities
Requests for contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations
Expert and unpaid assistance
Utilize social media Instagram (@GayGamesDenver2030) and Facebook
Concerning the Federation of Gay Games
Established in 1982 with the guiding values of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal BestTM, the Federation of Gay Games works to advance equality for all people in sport and culture. Olympic decathlete Dr. Tom Waddell came up with the idea for the Gay Games, which made its debut in San Francisco in 1982. Following that, Gay Games were staged in 1986 in San Francisco, 1990 in Vancouver, 1994 in New York, 1998 in Amsterdam, 2002 in Sydney, 2006 in Chicago, 2010 in Cologne, 2014 in Cleveland+Akron, 2018 in Paris, 2023 in Hong Kong and Guadalajara, and 2026 in Valencia for Gay Games XII.
