The host of each Gay Games has offered a distinctive sports programme, with a group of “core sports” augmented by sports with local interest or expertise.

As of Gay Games 9 in 2014, hosts are free to adapt their sports programmes even further by choosing to opt out of a certain number of core sports for which they may not have the appropriate venue or local know-how.

Bidders are free to replace these sports from the list of additional sports, or to suggest new sports, subject to FGG approval. The latest sport thus added is Rodeo, approved in 2009.

The maximum number of sports is currently set at 36, of which 20 must be “core sports”.

This policy balances stability from one edition of the Gay Games to the next and flexibility for hosts. By allowing hosts to adapt their sports programme to their local conditions, the FGG has made it possible for a broader range of cities, including smaller cities or cities in developing nations, to bid to host the Gay Games.

The list of current core and additional sports can be found below. If your sport does not appear on this table and you are interested in supporting its inclusion in a future Gay Games, write us.

The best way for a new sport to be proposed by a bidder is for there to be a dedicated group of experts and participants already offering competition in the sport. In this way, bidders can be confident that by offering the sport, they will find a critical mass of participants, officials, and supporters for the sport.

View the full list of sports HERE.