Perth has been named as one of the three finalists in the bid to host the Gay Games in 2030.
The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) announced this weekend that the remaining candidates are Auckland, New Zealand; Denver, US; and Perth, Australia. This decision narrows the field from six, with Cape Town, Edmonton, and Taipei no longer in contention.
Melbourne had previously withdrawn its bid despite earlier optimism from Victorian Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos, who told the ABC in August that Melbourne was “far ahead of any other city in this country,” including Sydney.
At the time, Dimopoulos added:“I love Perth, but seriously – it’s Perth. There is no comparison, Melbourne is a global city.”
Perth’s bid: A grassroots effort led by the local LGBTQIA+ community
The Federation emphasised that the shortlisted cities reflect “the best in diversity, inclusivity, and capability to host an event that celebrates the values of the Gay Games.”
Laurie Butterly, co-chair of Perth’s bid team, expressed excitement over the announcement:
“We’re incredibly excited to move into the Top 3 to host Gay Games 2030,” Laurie said.
“Perth’s bid is from ground up; directly from Perth’s LGBTQIA+ sporting teams. We want the world to share in our dynamic, vibrant and inclusive community.”
“We are thrilled to congratulate Auckland, Denver, and Perth on advancing as finalists on this journey toward selecting the host city for Gay Games XIII in 2030.” Officer of Site Selection at the FGG Austin Manning said.
“Each city has worked incredibly hard to present themselves as a potential host, and has firmly stamped their local culture and uniqueness onto their proposals. This milestone is not just about choosing a city; it’s about envisioning a future where LGBTQ+ sports and culture, and the values we have in common, shine brighter than ever. We look forward to the next 12 months and working closely with the three teams as they prepare their final bid books for review in October 2025.”
The next step in the process involves the short listed cities delivering a more detailed document outlining the organisation of the event.
The FGG will then undertake comprehensive evaluations and site visits to the finalist cities, culminating in the final vote at the Annual General Assembly in October 2025, where individual and group Q&A sessions and additional in person presentations will occur.
