The opening gala will feature a top-tier artistic lineup led by Mónica Naranjo, alongside Soraya Arnelas, Suri, Fruela, and Choriza May, among other notable names. This event will mark the beginning of a week in which the Valencian capital will host the largest diversity event in its history.
“"In exactly two months, we will meet again in this same stadium to kick off the largest diversity event in the history of our city."
The councillor also highlighted the international dimension of the event, noting that there are already “more than 9,000 registered participants from 76 nationalities and over 520 volunteers”.
The president of AVEGAL, Juan Velasco, explained that access to this ceremony is included for all registered participants in the games, while the general public can purchase tickets starting at 2:00 PM on Monday, April 27, through the event's official website.
Velasco also detailed some of the gala's highlights: “The event will also feature a parade of international delegations, the entry of the official flag, a tribute to the founder of the Gay Games, and the lighting of the flame.” This will be complemented by a significant presence of choirs and cultural groups from various parts of the world, reinforcing the global and festive nature of the gathering.
The presentation also included the participation of the vice president of the Diputación de Valencia and Deputy for Diversity, Natalia Enguix, who emphasized the collaboration between administrations to consolidate Valencia as an international benchmark for inclusion. Enguix advocated for the need to “make this movement visible and work to ensure our land is an open and diverse territory, capable of organizing a transversal and global sporting event.”
The sports program for the Gay Games XII will include a total of 39 disciplines distributed across 46 facilities in Valencia and its surrounding municipalities. Among the chosen venues are some of the city's most recognizable landmarks, such as the Velòdrom Lluís Puig, the Marina, the Estadi del Túria, Malva-rosa beach, and the Trinquet de Pelai.
The most popular modalities among registered participants are swimming, tennis, athletics, football, and volleyball, although the calendar will feature a wide variety of competitions open to adult participants without the need for minimum marks or prior qualification.
The organization has stressed that the Gay Games represent not only a sporting event but also a far-reaching cultural and social exchange. The Visit València Foundation has intensified international promotion of the event over the past year with more than twenty actions in sports, cultural, and professional forums across Europe, America, and Spain to attract visitors and participants.
“"The games are a double-current river: the people who come will soak up the local culture, and the city will discover the social aspect of those who come to visit us."
With this countdown now underway, Valencia is preparing to welcome thousands of people to an event poised to place the city on the world map of inclusive sports and diversity.
