Esports will make its medal debut at the upcoming Gay Games Valencia 2026, joining an extensive slate of sporting competitions taking place in the Spanish city.
Taking place from June 27th to July 4th, the event will feature Overwatch and EA Sports FC 26 for both individual and team-based tournaments.
Revealed on February 25th, the Gay Games has joined forces with Spanish gaming and esports festival Open World Now (OWN) to host the two competitions. Players signing up for the event have the option to participate in one or both titles happening on July 3rd.
Registration costs $215 (~£159), in addition to a sports fee of $35 (~£26). Residents of Valencia receive a 15% discount, while Spanish citizens can benefit from a 10% discount.
The Overwatch and EA Sports FC tournaments won’t feature separate gender divisions. All participants will compete together in an open format to decide who takes home the first esports gold medal at the event.
Esports is the latest addition to the Gay Games’ lineup, joining the likes of basketball, tennis, padel, and chess on a roster of 39 competitions held across the eight days.
What Are the Gay Games?
Founded in 1982, the Gay Games promotes the acceptance of sexual diversity by bringing together people to compete in a variety of sporting events. The games are open to everyone who wants to take part, regardless of their sexual orientation.
In addition to the sporting events, the Gay Games hosts a range of cultural events that represent its identity and values. Activities range from cheerleading to a film festival showcasing a range of short and feature-length movies, along with LGBTQ+ documentaries.
The inclusion of esports in this year’s edition continues to demonstrate its ability for events to use its platform as a tool to engage and unite its community in an inclusive environment.
