What if I told you that Heated Rivalry happens on a regular basis, in real life, all around the world? Sweaty bodies labour over exercise machines; eyes wander down to hip-hugging exercise shorts; locker room flirtations lead to shared hotel room information. But there’s a kicker: No one is a tortured closet case and not everybody is an impossibly bootie-blessed cis man. I’m talking about LGBTQ+ sports competitions.
Whether it’s annually or over an Olympic-sized multi-year cycle, queer athletes gather in gay-friendly cities to compete in their chosen sports, network with hotties from around the world and, in some cases, to flirt and socialize. Some participants walk away with medals, others with trophy husbands. Think of these events as the LGBTQ+ Olympics; and in fact, that’s the informal nickname for the Gay Games, the most famous of these events.
For anyone itching to participate in or attend one of these events, we’ve assembled seven of our favourite global events for LGBTQ2S+ athletes.
International Gay Polo Tournament
Wellington, Florida, April 23 to 25, 2026
For those who watch the Summer Olympics for the “weird” sports, this year’s International Gay Polo Tournament might tickle your pickle. Hosted by the only LGBTQ2S+ polo league in the world, the event is designed to foster community-building and healthy competition in a sport that has historically excluded marginalized communities. A ticket grants access to both the tournament itself as well as the accompanying social events. As for what to wear, organizers like to maintain polo’s upscale vibe, but with a twist: “South Florida chic is never wrong; bright colours make for a festive atmosphere, and we love a good costume. But remember, it’s likely to be hot, so dress for comfort. You’ll be on the grass, so wedges and sandals are a more comfortable option than stilettos.”
Tournoi International de Paris
Paris, France, May 22 to 24, 2026
Founded in 2004 by France’s LGBT+ Sports Federation, TIP has become one of the biggest and most reliable annual multi-sports tournaments in Europe. More than 3,000 athletes from all over the world descend on the City of Light to compete in 32 sports, from volleyball and e-sports to CrossFit and rowing. This year the “TIP village” will be at the very ornate Salons de l’Hôtel de Ville de Paris; that is, Paris city hall will be hosting the opening party and other events and performances. It’s a tournament that focuses as much on fun and inclusion as it does on competition.
Gay Games
València, Spain, June 27 to July 4, 2026
Just like the hetero Olympics, the Gay Games are held every four years in a different host city. (This year’s Games in València take place just three years after those hosted jointly by Guadalajara and Hong Kong because the COVID pandemic disrupted the schedule.) Over eight days, the 12th Gay Games will see thousands of fierce athletes and spectators descend upon València, turning it into a grand celebration of diversity, physical prowess and camaraderie. Gay Games is special because it’s a multi-sport competition, and this year’s 41-sport lineup includes chess, figure skating, rugby, dodgeball, dragon boat and lots of swimming. For those who are not such big athletic supporters, there is also a cultural program and a slate of parties. It’s not impossible that the Gay Games perhaps surpasses the Summer Olympics athlete’s village in terms of daily condom use. Here’s hoping.
Bingham Cup/Amanda Mark Cup
Brisbane, Australia, August 2026
Founded in 2002 in honour of Mark Kendall Bingham, an openly gay rugby player and a hero of United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, this is the largest LGBTQ2S+ rugby competition in the world, hosted in a different city each year. Named for Bingham’s best friend, the Amanda Mark Cup is the International Gay Rugby Association’s women’s global championship that runs in tandem with the Bingham Cup. For fans of sweaty, buff bodies stuffed into tiny, floppy shorts, charging through intense physical confrontations, rugby checks many boxes. The Brisbane Hustlers Rugby Union Football Club are the host team, stepping up after the city failed in its bid to host the Gay Games.
Gay Softball World Series
Columbus, Ohio, August 30 to September 5, 2026
The GSWS is the largest single-sport LGBTQ2S+ event in the world. This year’s tournament, hosted in Columbus, Ohio, for the fourth time in the event’s history, is expected to bring more than 230 teams and 5,000 athletes to the field. Founded in 1977, it’s also one of the longest-running and best established of the queer sporting leagues, connecting 57 member leagues, 1,000 teams and more than 20,000 people from across the U.S. and Canada. The week-long tournament provides a thrilling spectacle as well as a safe space for any queer person who loves softball. Columbus is home to the largest Pride parade in the Midwest, attracting more than 500,000 people, and also hosts several annual events, including the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance Columbus Classic, Labor of Love Volleyball Classic, and Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association’s fundraising Bat-N-Rouge event.
Sin City Classic
Las Vegas, Nevada, January 14 to 18, 2027
The name isn’t just because of all the sinning in the locker rooms. This annual multi-sport tournament takes place in the Sin City known as Las Vegas. It also happens to be the largest annual LGBTQ+ sporting event in the world. Though it’s hosted by the Greater Los Angeles Softball Association (GLASA), it’s not just about softball. The tournament has 29 sports, from bridge to swimming to cheering to ice hockey and curling, attracting around 8,000 LGBTQ2S+ athletes and another 2,000 fans and allies. And yes, there’s partying at night. It’s Las Vegas, after all. Expect more flash than usual at its 20th anniversary in 2027.
Eurogames
Cardiff, Wales, U.K., Summer 2027
The 2026 Eurogames were merged with the Gay Games in València. But typically this major European multisport event takes place every year in a different European city (non-Europeans are welcome to take part). The charming Welsh capital of Cardiff won the bid for 2027 and will be a cozy fun-filled playground for the competitors, their allies and fans. (Read our insider’s guide to Cardiff here.) Just like the Gay Games, the Eurogames prioritize sexual diversity and gender expansiveness, and provide ample opportunity to admire other athletes’ …performances. Like with many of these tournaments, athletes of all skill levels are welcome. One doesn’t need to be a world-class swimmer to look good in a Speedo.
