Esports Makes Its Medal Debut at the València Gay Games 2026
- Sagar Mankar
- 8 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Esports is set to make its medal debut at the 12th edition of the Gay Games, taking place in the Spanish city of València this summer.
The Gay Games is a celebrated 8-day event that brings together sport and culture with a strong focus on LGBTQ+ identities and their allies.
This year's edition runs from June 27th to July 4th, 2026, and for the first time in the event's history, esports will be part of the official competition lineup.
The titles confirmed for the occasion are Overwatch (5vs5) and EA Sports FC 26 (1vs1) in the Amateur Division only (no Elite /pro category).
According to the announcement revealed on February 25th, the Gay Games has partnered with Spanish gaming and esports festival Open World Now (OWN) to host the two competitions.
Players who register for the event will have the option to compete in one or both titles, with matches scheduled for July 3rd. Registration carries a cost of $215 (approximately £159), alongside a sports fee of $35 (approximately £26). Residents of València are eligible for a 15% discount, while Spanish citizens can take advantage of a 10% reduction on the registration price.
One of the more notable aspects of the esports competitions is that they will not feature separate gender divisions. Instead, all participants will compete together in an open format, with the winner earning the very first esports gold medal in Gay Games history.
Esports joins an already packed roster of 39 competitions at this year's event, sitting alongside sports like Volleyball, basketball, tennis, padel, and chess, spread across the eight days of competition.
For those unfamiliar with the Gay Games, the event was founded back in 1982 with a mission to promote the acceptance of sexual diversity through sport and community. It is open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, which has always been central to its identity.
Beyond the athletic competitions, the Gay Games also hosts a variety of cultural events, ranging from cheerleading performances to a film festival featuring short films, feature-length movies, and LGBTQ+ documentaries.
