Metro Mayor backs Liverpool City Region bid to host Gay Games in 2026

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LCR Pride Foundation has revealed its intention to bid for the Liverpool City Region to host the 2026 Gay Games, a move that has been backed by the region’s Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram.

The Gay Games is a worldwide sport and cultural event that takes place every four years, welcoming more than 10,000 athletes competing in 30+ sports. It attracts tens of thousands of spectators who also attend to take part in the event’s extensive cultural programme, which includes music, visual arts and mass participation events such as fun runs.

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Speaking in support of the bid, Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

“Diversity, respect, equality, and solidarity for all are the foundation blocks on which the Games are built, and they are values we share.

“Our region is well accustomed to holding sporting events that attract a worldwide audience.   The Merseyside Derby, Rugby Super League, The Open and the Grand National are regular features in our sporting calendar but never before have we held anything on the scale of the Gay Games.

“I relish the opportunity to build on our strong track record of supporting LGBT+ rights, empowering communities and creating lasting social change. And that is why I am proud to support this bid.”

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LCR Pride Foundation Co-Chair, Andi Herring, said:

“The Gay Games is a globally recognised sporting and cultural event that empowers and celebrates the LGBT+ community, as well as supporting local regeneration in its host cities.

“The Liverpool City Region has a proven record for delivering large-scale, world-class sport and cultural events, as last year’s wildly successful Liverpool 2018 programme demonstrated.

“We believe that this experience, combined with the foundation’s commitment to collaborative working and making the city region the most LGBT+ friendly in the UK, makes Liverpool City Region the perfect host city for the 2026 games.

“Our bid as the Liverpool City Region will encourage relationship building with local authorities, community groups and sports organisations throughout the six boroughs, as we work together towards a unified goal.”

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For more information visit www.LCRGayGames.com or  follow us on Twitter @LCRGayGames or Facebook at LCR Gay Games 2026.

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