The gala commenced with the parade of over 10,200 athletes from 81 nationalities, accompanied by Valencian folklore groups. Artists such as Soraya, Choriza May, and the Grup de Danses de Guadassuar welcomed the participants.
During the institutional speeches, the significance of Valencia as a host city was highlighted. A member of the organizing team stated: “LGBTQIA+ people belong in sports, and sports belong to us as much as they belong to anyone else.” The co-presidents of the International Gay Games Federation also emphasized the global fight for equality and visibility.
The evening featured the entry of the official flags, performed by the Banda per la Diversitat, and the Rainbow Memorial Relay, a symbolic act honoring Thomas F. Waddell and remembering victims of the LGTBIQ+ community. Coral music united the Cor a Cor de València with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC.
Following the sporting oaths and an acrobatic performance, singer Mónica Naranjo delivered the main act. The ceremony concluded with the arrival of the games' flame, the official declaration of inauguration, and a display of multicolored fireworks.
