Federation of Gay Games

What Federation of Gay Games does

The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) is a private, volunteer-led non-profit organization founded in 1982 and headquartered at 584 Castro Street in San Francisco, California. It governs and produces the Gay Games, a quadrennial 10-day international multi-sport and cultural event that the organization describes as the world's largest LGBTQ+ sports and cultural event. The FGG's product surface includes the Games themselves (37+ sports across swimming, track and field, rugby, fencing, wrestling, chess, petanque, and others, plus cultural programming), supporting infrastructure such as the Festival Village, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, International Memorial Rainbow Run, Medal Ceremonies, the Tom Waddell Award, and the Participate newsletter. Technology is limited to a Squarespace-hosted registration and information website with third-party payment processing (PayPal, Stripe, Wild Apricot) and a SmugMug photo/video archive; there is no public API or proprietary platform.

The FGG serves four primary constituencies: LGBTQ+ athletes and artists who participate in competition and cultural programming; host-city governments and tourism bodies that bid for and stage each edition; member organizations (LGBTQ+ sports and cultural groups worldwide) that pay dues and provide grassroots distribution; and corporate sponsors plus donors who fund operations. Revenue is generated through five streams: participant registration fees, sponsorships and partnerships, membership dues, public funding from host-city governments, and individual donations (including via the Rick Peterson Aquatic Endowment Fund). The organization operates on a four-year cycle, with Gay Games XII held in Valencia, Spain in June-July 2026 and Gay Games XIII confirmed for Perth, Western Australia in 2030. The 2018 Paris edition generated an estimated $117.9 million in local economic impact, illustrating the event's scale as a destination-sports property.

The FGG is governed by an elected board with two co-presidents (Jan Schneider and Sophia Goodner-Rodriguez as of early 2025), officers responsible for Sport, Communications, Site Selection, Development, Ceremonies, and International Development, vice presidents for Operations, External Relations, and Member Services, and an advisory body of Honorary Life Members. Recent strategic activity includes the 2025 leadership transition, the appointment of AVEGAL as the local LGBTQ+ community partner for Valencia 2026, and a 2026 registration system update to support trans and non-binary inclusion. The organization faces episodic reputational and operational risks tied to host-city political dynamics, exemplified by the 2026 withdrawal of four Valencian LGBTQ+ entities from the local Organizing Committee.

Name

Federation of Gay Games

Legal name

Federation of Gay Games

Website

https://gaygames.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Federation of Gay Games is a San Francisco-based non-profit founded in 1982 that governs and produces the Gay Games, a quadrennial 10-day international multi-sport and cultural event serving LGBTQ+ athletes, artists, member organizations, and host-city governments worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Multi-Sport & Cultural Events

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320), Other Spectator Sports (711219), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Olympic & Multi-Sport Governing Bodies (IOC/IPC, Continental Games Federations) (MPAKAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Amateur & Grassroots Tournament Organizers (MPAKADAH), Amateur Event & Tournament Organizers (Meets, Invitationals, Opens) (MPAKACAL)

Keywords

• LGBTQ+ sports events
• International multi-sport competition
• Cultural festival programming
• Inclusive sporting competition
• Community athletics events

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Registration Fees: Participants pay registration fees to compete in sports and cultural events at the Gay Games. These fees cover participation in the 10-day event including accreditation, access to competitions, cultural activities, and ceremonies.
2. Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate and organizational sponsors provide financial and in-kind support for the Gay Games events. Sponsorships are managed through the Sponsorship Subcommittee.
3. Membership Dues: The FGG maintains a membership structure with member organizations that pay dues. Members include LGBTQ+ sports and cultural organizations from around the world.
4. Public Funding and Government Support: Host cities and governments provide financial support and public facilities for the Gay Games. The organization notes that public funding helps make the Games accessible and affordable.
5. Donations: Individual donations and bequests support the organization, including the Rick Peterson Aquatic Endowment Fund scholarship.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Federation of Gay Games organizes and governs the Gay Games, an international 10-day multi-sport and cultural event held every four years in a rotating host city. The event is open to all participants regardless of gender, sexuality, or athletic ability and features 37+ sporting competitions (swimming, rugby, tennis, fencing, wrestling, chess, etc.) alongside cultural activities (choruses, art exhibitions, workshops, dance classes). Participants register online through the FGG website, with the organization providing event governance, brand licensing, gender inclusion policy, and the Tom Waddell Award for outstanding contributors.

Product overview

The Federation of Gay Games organizes the Gay Games, the world's largest LGBTQ+ sport and cultural event, held every four years. The core product is the Gay Games event itself — a 10-day multi-sport and cultural celebration featuring sporting competitions across 37+ disciplines (swimming, tennis, rugby, fencing, track and field, chess, and more), cultural activities (choruses, performances, art exhibitions, workshops), and signature ceremonies (Opening, Closing, Medal Ceremonies, International Memorial Rainbow Run, and Memorial Quilt). The event infrastructure includes a Registration System supporting gender self-identification, a Festival Village for participant accreditation, the Participate Newsletter for community communication, and the Tom Waddell Award recognizing exceptional contributors. The organization also runs a Site Selection Process to choose future host cities, a Scholarships Program to support participant access, and a Volunteer Program. Participation is open to all regardless of gender, sexuality, or background, with competitions organized into Male, Female, and All Gender categories. Upcoming editions include Gay Games XII in Valencia, Spain (June 27–July 4, 2026) and Gay Games XIII in Perth, Australia (2030).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gay Games Event The flagship product of the Federation of Gay Games: a 10-day international multi-sport and cultural event held every four years in a rotating host city, open to all participants regardless of gender, sexuality, or athletic ability. Features 37+ sporting competitions (swimming, rugby, tennis, fencing, wrestling, chess, track and field, petanque, etc.) organized into Male, Female, and All Gender categories, alongside cultural programming (choruses, art exhibitions, workshops, dance classes, parties) and signature ceremonies (Opening, Closing, Medal, International Memorial Rainbow Run, and Memorial Quilt).
• Gay Games XII Valencia 2026 The 12th edition of the Gay Games, held in Valencia, Spain, expecting more than 8,500 participants across 37 sports and cultural events. Includes a Festival Village for participant accreditation, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, sporting competitions with Male, Female, and All Gender categories, cultural activities, the International Memorial Rainbow Run, Memorial Quilt, and Medal Ceremonies. Participants register online through the FGG website with a gender self-identification system.
• Gay Games XIII Perth 2030 The 13th edition of the Gay Games, to be hosted in Perth, Western Australia, bringing together thousands of athletes, artists, and participants from around the world for a ten-day celebration of sport, culture, and community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 8,500 participants expected for Gay Games XII Valencia 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• AVEGAL (Association of Companies and Professionals for Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals, and Bisexuals of the Valencian Community)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2025AVEGAL was officially appointed as the local LGBTQ+ community partner for Gay Games XII Valencia 2026. They manage cultural and leisure activities, promotional actions, registrations, and sponsor acquisition. AVEGAL has representation on the Steering Committee, Finance Subcommittee, Sponsorship Subcommittee, and Cultural Events Subcommittee. The partnership ensures the Organizing Committee includes both local government and LGBTQ+ community representation.
• Pride WAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPride WA played a pivotal role in Perth's successful bid to host Gay Games XIII in 2030. Their long-standing commitment to LGBTQ+ community events in Western Australia shaped the winning proposal.
• Tourism Western AustraliamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTourism Western Australia warmly welcomed the FGG delegation during site inspections and demonstrated the region's enthusiasm and readiness to host a global LGBTQ+ sporting event.
• City of PerthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCity of Perth participated in site inspections and demonstrated support for hosting Gay Games XIII in 2030 as part of the regional coalition.
• State Government of Western AustraliamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficials from the State Government of Western Australia warmly welcomed the FGG delegation during site inspections and demonstrated the region's readiness to host.
• The Event Team (Gemma Dale, Anthony Lynch, David Budge)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLed by Gemma Dale, Anthony Lynch, and David Budge, The Event Team provided expertise in large-scale athletic events, opened venues to inspection teams, and secured networking opportunities between the Federation and Perth's local LGBTQ+ sporting and cultural leaders.
• Wrestling Without BordersmajorTechnology or IntegrationThe FGG delegate sports group that organizes wrestling and grappling events at Gay Games. They collaborated with ADI and FGG to update competition categories to remove legal documentation requirements and support trans and non-binary inclusion.
• ADI (federation of LGBTI+ sports entities in Spain and Portugal)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerADI collaborated with Wrestling Without Borders and FGG to identify issues with competition category language and ensure appropriate inclusion for LGBTQ+ identities in sports categories.
• European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFGG participates in EGLSF Annual General Assemblies. The organizations share missions of fighting discrimination in sport based on gender identity or sexual preference. FGG representative Angelica Saez attended the AGA in Antwerp.
• Valencian Local Government / City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Valencian Local Government Board approved the partial transfer of the Gay Games contract to AVEGAL and provides municipal sports facilities, funding commitments, and organizational support for Gay Games XII 2026.
• Visit DenvermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerVisit Denver provided expertise, support, and critical partnership connections as part of Denver's bid for Gay Games XIII 2030.
• Sports and Events Tourism AssociationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided expertise and support for Denver's bid for Gay Games XIII 2030.
• Fox Rothschild (Christopher Olszyk)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal counsel providing continued support and engagement representing the Federation in contract negotiations for host city agreements.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=ZoyRm3RP-h4
• Instagraminstagram.com/gaygames
• Xx.com/GayGames
• Facebookfacebook.com/federationofgaygames
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/federation-of-gay-games

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Federation of Gay Games