The 12th Gay Games will add esports to the tournament for the first time. Along with usual sports like lifting, rowing, golf, badminton, track, and wrestling, the upcoming Gay Games will offer Overwatch and EA FC26.

The Gay Games take place every four years, bringing together thousands of participants and spectators for 10 days of competition and community. This year, the Gay Games will be held from June 27th to July 4th in Valencia, Spain.

The esports competitions will be on July 3rd. The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) has stated that it’s a “strictly amateur” event. Gamers can sign up individually or as pre-formed teams.

“This is a space for community gamers and hobbyists to compete on a world stage without the pressure of professional play,” the FGG said.

Overwatch represents LGBTQ+ in its hero roster

While Overwatch has a competitive side, despite the Overwatch League’s death, it also has many casual players who love the gameplay and lore. Overwatch also has a lot of LGBTQ+ players in its fanbase due to its inclusive roster of heroes.

Tracer is a lesbian, confirmed to have a girlfriend named Emily in a comic called “Reflections” from 2016. The two share a passionate kiss in one panel.

Soldier: 76 is another OG hero that is in a same-sex relationship. In 2019, a short story called “Bastet” was released that reflected on Soldier: 76’s former boyfriend, Vincent. We learn more about this relationship in 2025’s short story, “Futures Past.” Ana sees an old photo of the two together.

In 2023, the short story “As You Are” confirmed that Pharah is a lesbian. She tells Baptiste that she is a lesbian when asked about her relationship with Cole Cassidey, who she describes as “like a brother.”

Baptiste says in the same conversation that he is bisexual, showing some interest in Cole. Blizzard later confirmed his sexuality in a Pride Month post.

Lifeweaver is the first pansexual hero, and it’s not hidden at all. His conversations with other heroes and in-game voice lines confirm this. It’s also stated in an official Blizzard video, where devs say they are “excited” about the addition.

Venture, if you even remember that they exist, is non-binary. They use they/them pronouns. These pronouns were used by Game Director Aaron Keller while discussing the hero at BlizzCon 2023. This was later reiterated in Venture’s trailer.

“We want Pride to be that for our players,” Blizzard said a few years ago. “And just as important, we want that for ourselves. One thing we have heard from both players and Overwatch team members alike is that seeing themselves in the game over the years has helped them find the strength and courage to show the world who they are.

“We are a diverse development team and it’s important to us that the universe we are creating–the world that we pour our passion and energy into–represents us, and represents a world that we want to be a part of. The work that we are putting in front of the world is an extension of ourselves.”

Register for the Gay Games here.