10,000 athletes and spectators are expected to visit city, for this UK first
MORE THAN 10,000 athletes, volunteers and spectators will visit Cardiff in summer 2027 for an LGBTQ+ inclusive sports event.
Pride Sports Cymru has won its bid to host the 2027 EuroGames, an annual multi-sport event for LGBTQ+ athletes.
“Hosting a EuroGames is an opportunity to showcase Cardiff as a world class sporting city, and to highlight Wales’ commitment to become the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation in Europe,” said Pride Sports director Lou Englefield.
This will be the first time the event is held in the United Kingdom and the first time an all-women bidding team has won.
EuroGames Cardiff will feature 27 sports including touch rugby, volleyball and tennis, held at existing venues across Cardiff.
“The legacy the event will leave, and indeed the planning and partnerships needed leading to 2027 are clear opportunities for Wales to showcase inclusive opportunities for sport, and drive forward the Vision for Sport in Wales,” said Jess Williams, head of service and partner development at Sport Wales.
Lewis Churchill is captain of Cardiff’s LGBTQ+ inclusive football team the Dragons. He described club chair Charlotte Galloway, the third member of the bidding team, as “a massive advocate for LGBT rights”.
Club secretary Greg Stait said the games would be important for the visibility of Cardiff’s LGBTQ+ sports clubs, encouraging people to join.
Mr Stait had not played football for five years before joining the Dragons two years ago. He said: “I wanted to find a community where I did not have to worry.”
Dawn Bowden, Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, said on X: “This is absolutely fantastic news! Congratulations and well done to the amazing Pride Sport Cymru team.”
Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Councillor Jennifer Burke, said: “Being chosen as the first city in the UK to host the EuroGames is a really proud moment for Cardiff, and one I hope will leave a lasting legacy for LGBTQ+ engagement in sport in the city.
“Cardiff is recognised internationally as a city capable of hosting the worlds’ biggest sporting events, and we’re looking forward to extending a warm Welsh welcome to the athletes, volunteers and visitors from across Europe, that this event will bring to the city.”
EuroGames are governed by the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF). It has over 120 members including LGBTQ+ sports clubs and organisations.
The first EuroGames was held at The Hague, Netherlands in 1992. It has grown from 300 athletes competing in four sports to an anticipated 5,000 athletes for the 24th edition in Cardiff in 2027.
Cardiff bid against Munich in what Pride Sports Cymru said was a “tightly contested” vote. The bids were announced at the beginning of October and then presented to the EGLSF’s annual general assembly on March 2.
Watch the moment the Pride Sports Cymru team found out they had won:
