When it comes to LGBTQ+ tourism, so much focus has been on Spain these past few years, and for good reason. Spain has been partnering with and promoting LGBTQ+ travel for several decades now, and the LGBTQ+ tourism numbers are reflecting that, including amazing LGBTQ+ tours and events centered around Ibiza, Mallorca, Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Valencia, just to name a few.
One of these events has been a major coup for Spain, with the Gay Games XII coming to Valencia June 27 – July 4, 2026.
The Gay Games is the world’s largest all-inclusive sporting event. Similar to the Olympics, LGBTQ+ athletes and allies from around the world come together for a week of sports and celebration. The idea is not just to win but to do one’s personal best. In 2026, Gay Games will host 38 sports events in Valencia, Spain.
https://www.gaygamesvalencia2026.com/en/sports/
We recently toured some of the sporting venues in Valencia that will be hosting some of the various sporting events to be held in the city, including aquatics, softball, basketball, rugby, rowing and several others. The venues include the famous City of Arts & Sciences, which is also the location of the Gay Games Village during the duration of the event, as well as a wide variety of pools, tracks, tennis courts and fields all throughout the city.
https://www.gaygamesvalencia2026.com/en/venues
The city itself is also ready to host this grand affair, and is well equipped with their hotels, restaurants and public transportation to traverse the various events held throughout Valencia. Speaking of the restaurants, Valencia is truly a city that is ALIVE… walking along the various neighborhoods, even on a warm, summer day, people young and old are eating and drinking on outdoor patios everywhere we walked, and at all times of day. They say that Valencia is one of the top cities in Spain for digital nomads, and thus the infrastructure for enjoying a coffee or cocktail while getting some work done while watching the people go by is second to none.
For more information on traveling to and experiencing Valencia, check this link out:
https://www.gaygamesvalencia2026.com/en/discover-valencia/
Check out some of these various articles on LGBTQ+ Valencia travel:
https://www.visitvalencia.com/en/what-to-do-valencia/valencia-lgbti-friendly-city
https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-countries-for-lgbtq-expats-netherlands-8697992
https://www.outsports.com/2025/7/7/24114737/valencia-gay-games-2026-one-year-to-go-lgbtq-spain-venues-registration/
