Australian tennis players join 10,000 athletes at Valencia's Gay Games

As many focus on Wimbledon and the World Cup, another large international sporting event is quietly bringing together athletes from around the globe.

The 2026 Gay Games are taking place in Valencia, Spain, with more than 10,000 athletes from 81 nationalities competing across 38 sports.

Australia has sent one of the largest overseas contingents, with more than 600 competitors making the journey.

Among them are 37 Australian tennis players, taking part in a tournament featuring more than 600 players across multiple open and age-related events.

What are the Gay Games?

Founded in 1982 by Olympic decathlete Tom Waddell, the Gay Games were created to promote participation, inclusion, and personal best rather than elite performance.

Held every four years, the Games have grown into one of the world's largest participation sporting festivals, welcoming athletes of all abilities from around the world.

Despite the name, competitors do not have to identify as LGBTQIA+ to take part. The Games are open to everyone, with a focus on inclusion.

The Aussies competing

One of the Australians competing is Michael Prionas, originally from Melbourne.

"This is my first ever Gay Games," Prionas told The First Serve.

"I've wanted to participate as I've had friends compete and speak about how fun a time they'd had, being surrounded by love, friends and community, all while getting to compete in something they love."

For Prionas, the Games remain as important today as when they first began more than four decades ago.

"The Gay Games are still so very important as in many countries there's still so much hatred and prejudice against members of the LGBT+ community, including in safer havens like Australia, the UK or Spain," he said. "So that safe space is very much needed for us all.

"It's also special to have people come together, compete and show so much pride for their countries, especially for those where being LGBT+ is a crime or punishable."

Away from the courts, he said the event had exceeded expectations.

"The 2026 Gay Games have been great so far," he said.

"It's so nice being able to travel somewhere you might not otherwise, and get the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones."I've already made a few new friends in just two days."

Prionas has enjoyed a strong week on court and was Australia's last remaining player in the Open men's/all-gender singles event. He made it through to the round of 16 before falling to the American sixth seed. 

He said the tennis itself had been just as memorable as the atmosphere surrounding it.

"The tennis has been great so far," he said. "The venue I've played at has been great too. Beautiful courts, a bar with snacks and food, and most importantly, a swimming pool, which I've not yet had a chance to try out."

Although he has competed at many tournaments, Prionas said nothing compares to the Gay Games.

"I have played quite a few tournaments. What's special about the Gay Games is the scale of it. There's nothing like it on the Tour."

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Part of a bigger GLTA circuit

While the Gay Games are held every four years, they are just one event on the broader Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance (GLTA) calendar, which hosts more than 100 tournaments annually around the world.

Earlier this year, Australian GLTA player Luke Topp wrote for The First Serve about the impact the tour has had on his own tennis journey.

He argued the circuit offers far more than competition, creating a genuine sense of belonging through clubs, tournaments and social events while giving players of all abilities an inclusive place to play.

As Topp wrote, tennis doesn't have a participation problem; it has an engagement problem.

Through LGBTQIA+ community clubs, including Team Brisbane Tennis, Tennis Sydney, VIC Tennis, Hotties in Hobart, Loton Park in Perth and Pink Tennis Canberra, Australian players can play the game locally.

They can also compete in GLTA events in Australia before joining the international circuit and tournaments such as the Gay Games.

Looking ahead to Perth 2030

As the final matches conclude in Valencia, Australia's 37 tennis players will soon head home with more than results and potential medals. They'll take with them new connections, experiences and memories from one of the world's largest celebrations of inclusive sport.

In four years' time, they'll have the chance to help create those same experiences for thousands of others when Perth hosts the 2030 Gay Games, welcoming the global LGBTQIA+ sporting community to Australia for the first time since Sydney 2002.

For Prionas, that's the enduring appeal of the Gay Games.

"There really is something for everyone."

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