Gay Games 11 Hong Kong (GGHK) today announced an all-new line-up of 23 sports for the November 2023 Gay Games, a global multisport, arts & culture event founded in 1982 that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Co-hosted with Guadalajara, Mexico, the 11th Gay Games will be the first in both Asia and Latin America, as well the first time to be hosted in two cities simultaneously. Open to all and not just for LGBTQ+ communities, the Games welcome everyone to participate regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and athletic ability.
To be held during 3-11 November 2023 in both cities, the Games will be one of the largest sports, arts & culture events of next year, bringing the global community together through the power of sports. In addition to 23 sports, GGHK will feature Opening & Closing Ceremonies, Festival Village, Arts & Culture events with daily performances, Gala Concert, young artist exhibitions, and a variety of events to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Gay Games.
With the expected relaxation of social distancing rules, GGHK will organise a series of promotional events beginning June 2022 in Hong Kong and around the world, including pop-ups at major European and Asian sports and community events. With events expected to welcome 2,000 participants per month on average over the next 19 months, as well as 7,000 participants and 25,000 visitors during November 2023, the Hong Kong-hosted Games are expected to bring 70,000 individuals together to celebrate this global experience.
Two new sports have been added for Hong Kong: Mahjong, and Field Hockey.
The new line-up includes:
- Badminton
- Dodgeball
- Dragon Boat Racing
- Field Hockey
- Fencing
- Football (Soccer)
- Marathon: Full
- Marathon: Half
- Open Water Swimming
- Swimming
- Road Races: 5 km
- Road Races: 10 km
- Mahjong
- Martial Arts
- Rowing
- Rugby Sevens
- Sailing
- Squash
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Trail Running: Short
- Trail Running: Long
Several partners and organisations have already confirmed their support for Gay Games Hong Kong, which includes Hong Kong Rugby Union for Rugby Sevens, Victoria Recreation Club at Hong Kong’s Deep Water Bay for Open Water Swimming, and Diversity Games for Fencing, Badminton and Table Tennis. More venue and event partners will be announced in the months to come.
Lisa Lam, co-chair of GGHK, said, “After months of preparation and feasibility studies, we are incredibly thrilled to unveil this new line-up, especially the addition of Mah Jong as an homage to the cultural heritage of host city Hong Kong. We are excited to bring a world-class international sporting competition with 40 years of history to Asia for the first time. GGHK aims to promote unity and inclusion, to help Hong Kong live up to its potential as a world-class city.
Nigel Lee, acting co-chair of GGHK, said, “As we all emerge from Covid restrictions, our re-energised team at GGHK is fully focused on the delivery of our sports, art and cultural events. In collaboration with our co-host city Guadalajara and the FGG, Gay Games 11 really will be the broadest and most inclusive Gay Games event ever.”
Media information
Please contact [email protected] or visit gghk2023.com/press
More about the Gay Games Hong Kong 2023
Gay Games is a 9-days international world-class diversity festival with multi-sports, arts & culture events and opening & closing ceremonies organised by the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, +) community, organised every 4 years. The goal of the Gay Games is to emancipate LGBTQ+ people around the world by educating people through sport, arts & culture events —in a spirit of better understanding. The Gay Games are organised by Gay Games Hong Kong under license of the the Federation of Gay Games. The spirit of equality is enshrined in the Games’ principle of inclusion: Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best.
GGHK will take place on 3-11 November 2023, the first event of its kind in Asia under the theme “Unity in Diversity”. Supporting organisations include the Equal Opportunities Commission, InvestHK, BrandHK and the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
