Cape Town has entered the international race to host the 13th Gay Games in 2030, joining six other global cities. After entering the run to host the 2029 World Pride event, the City is aiming to reach for the top destination for gay tourism.

A delegation from th7The city’s bid committee includes high-profile LGBTQIA+ advocates and public figures, supported by event specialists WorldSport South Africa, which has outlined a programme featuring 34 sports and a dozen cultural events. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis also backs the bid, underscoring South Africa’s constitutional protections against discrimination and expressing confidence that Cape Town can serve as a “safe and authentic” environment for all participants.

The City presented its bid to the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) in Washington, DC, last weekend, where it received warm applause. Supporters say this response signals strong international backing for Cape Town to become the first African city to host the event. But the case for their economic benefit has not been made in clear terms.

Proponents of the bid highlight Cape Town’s reputation as a popular destination for global tourism and events. Since the Gay Games were launched in 1982, the event has brought a small influx of visitors to host cities. Cape Town’s bid emphasizes its capability to stage large-scale events, with a robust tourism sector and modern infrastructure.

However, some observers are cautious about the City's increasing focus on tourism over more robust forms of economic development, noting that the anticipated economic benefits often hinge on optimistic assumptions about tourism gains and lasting impacts on local economies.

The Gay Games attract over 10,000 participants for ten days of athletic and cultural events, ranging from competitive sports to art exhibitions and music performances. But the event also brings with it a high-profile, international LGBTQIA+ audience in a nation where conservative views remain prevalent. While Cape Town is considered the “Gay Capital of Africa,” the broader South African public holds varied, often traditional views on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Hosting the Gay Games could test South Africa’s social fabric and even its political climate, challenging the country to balance progressive urban values with deeply rooted cultural conservatism.

David Ryan, Co-chair of the Cape Town bid, believes that the Games could catalyze positive conversations around LGBTQIA+ acceptance across the continent. "This is more than a tourism boost," he said, arguing that the Games represent a chance to reshape perceptions of queer identity in Africa. Supporters of the bid, including prominent figures in Cape Town’s LGBTQIA+ community, hope that the event would inspire a lasting shift toward inclusivity.

Cape Town is competing against cities including Denver, Auckland, and Melbourne, with a final decision expected by late 2025. Whether Cape Town’s social readiness and economic landscape can accommodate such a prominent and controversial international event remains an open question.

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