Sports tourism is booming. According to a recent study by Grand
View Research, it's projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of
16.8% between 2026 and 2033. So it's no surprise that enthusiasm for LGBTQ+
sports travel is growing as well — especially this year, as Gay Games XII takes place
in Valencia, WorldPride kicks off in
Amsterdam. An array of North American tournaments draws thousands of athletes
and spectators.
LGBTQ+ sports organizations have been around for a long
time, notes Trayer Martinez, vice president of sports for Compete Sports Network, a national
media platform dedicated to underserved sports communities. “Organizations like International
Pride Softball, International
Gay Bowling Organization, International
Gay Rodeo Association, National Gay
Basketball Association,
along with many other LGBTQ+ sports travel groups, have existed for decades,”
he said. “It’s not that these spaces or organizations did not exist; it’s that
a seat at the table was not always available. This extends beyond sports
tourism itself and includes media coverage, sponsorship partnerships and
broader industry access.”
Times have changed
for the better, according to Martinez. “Fast forward to today, and new tables
have been built to include, highlight and bring LGBTQ+ participation in sports
to the forefront of the conversation,” he said. “What was once viewed primarily
as a community resource and safe space for participation within the LGBTQ+
community has now evolved into a significant niche market with a direct
connection to economic impact.”
The reasons behind
the growth are varied, Martinez added. “There is not one primary reason these
spaces continue to grow, but rather a long list of contributing factors,” he
said. “On the surface, you could say the growth is due to more individuals
identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community. However, when you dig deeper, you
see that governing bodies have intentionally focused on expanding access and
inclusivity for women athletes and trans athletes.”
The niche is especially attractive for the tourism industry
because many LGBTQ+ leagues and associations are built around recurring
championships, annual tournaments and travel circuits. Those structures foster
repeat travel and participation, which can provide a nice boost for
destinations, hotels and travel advisors.
Still, there are challenges, according to Nate Smith,
commissioner of International Pride Softball. “In recent years, the LGBTQ+
sports travel segment has evolved in noticeable ways,” he said. “Overall, we’ve
seen a slight decline in travel specifically for tournaments and sporting
events. A few factors seem to be driving this shift. Rising travel and lodging
costs have made it harder for some athletes and teams to commit to out‑of‑state
events. At the same time, the political climate in certain host locations has
become a real consideration for many LGBTQ+ athletes. When tournaments are held
in states where our community may feel less safe or supported, it can
understandably impact participation and willingness to travel.”
Despite those issues, Smith reports that his organization
continues to grow — which makes destination selection crucial. “As our
tournament has increased in size, the number of cities capable of hosting us
has become more limited,” he explained. “Many of the facilities large enough to
accommodate our event are located in states where members of our community may
not always feel fully safe or supported. While we work hard to create a
welcoming environment wherever we go, these external factors can sometimes impact
the player experience in ways that are outside of our direct control.”
High-Profile Sports
Action in Valencia and Amsterdam
Dinesh Kumar, travel specialist and co-founder of Ferry Host, an online ferry travel guide, said
that LGBTQ+ sporting events have become “massive tourist events involving both
competition and community from all over the world. This is no longer a
collection of activities based on pride seasons; rather, it involves
well-planned sporting calendars.”
Among the highest-profile LGBTQ+ sporting events of 2026 is
Gay Games XII, scheduled for June 27 through July 4 in Valencia, Spain. The
event is open to all and features 39 sports open to all genders — including aquatics,
badminton, basketball, gymnastics, track and field, figure skating, triathlon,
football, martial arts, rugby and wrestling, to name a few.
WorldPride Amsterdam 2026, which runs July 25-August 8, features
sporting activities in partnership with the Sport Pride Foundation. Water polo,
handball, hockey, Pride Run XXL, watersports and volleyball are among the
events.
North America’s LGBTQ+
Sport Tournaments
While massive events in Valencia and Amsterdam showcase the
global appeal of LGBTQ+ sports tourism, North America’s LGBTQ+ sports calendar also
provides noteworthy examples of the breadth of the market. International Pride
Softball’s Gay Softball World Series, for example, will take place in Columbus,
Ohio, on September 1–5, and Smith says the event is expected to host
approximately 260 teams, making it the largest tournament in the organization’s
history.
In Minnesota, meanwhile, Gay Bowl XXVI, the National Gay Flag Football League’s championship
tournament, is scheduled for October 8–11 at the National Sports Center in
Blaine, Minnesota. The organization estimates the event will bring more than
2,250 athletes, referees and attendees to the Minneapolis area.
Even more are expected to head to Las Vegas for the Sin City Classic, an LGBTQ+ sports
festival organized by the Greater Los Angeles Softball Association and
scheduled for January 14–18, 2027. With 24 sports, more than 10,000 athletes
and more than 500 teams expected to attend, it’s billed as the world’s largest
LGBTQ+ sporting event.
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