Organisers 'confident' with bid to host EuroPride 2027

Organisers want to run a community-focused event in 2027

The organisers of Pride in Gloucestershire have said they are "confident" they will be successful in their bid to host EuroPride 2027.

The team has now submitted a bid to host the European celebrations, which they estimate would generate £35m for the local economy if successful.

Chairperson Richard Stevens said the county had a "reputation and experience of holding large and impactful events".

"I believe we have a strong bid and I'm confident that we can do this," he added.

EuroPride rotates around the continent, with the cities of Thessaloniki in Greece, Lisbon in Portugal and Amsterdam in the Netherlands all set to host it over the next few years.

Also competing to host the 2027 celebrations are Torino Pride in Italy, Baltic Pride Vilnius in Lithuania and Torremolinos Pride in Spain.

Mr Stevens said the UK was at a "pivotal point" in LGBTQ+ history, citing the "growing influence of extremism".

He said the team was "really focusing on delivering a legacy" for the county and for Europe, adding that they wanted to "sustain and empower our community with a message that you are the voice".

"We need our community to help and stand up and tell their story," said Richard Stevens

With many large, international events based in Gloucestershire, including Cheltenham Races, Cheltenham Jazz Festival and Gloucester Tall Ships Festival, Mr Stevens said the area was experienced and "very well positioned in the UK" to deliver a European Pride event.

He also hopes hosting it in Gloucestershire would demonstrate that LGBTQ+ people exist outside of the main capital cities.

The bid, which has received support from local MPs, proposes a two-week festival, which will see more than 120,000 people visit the area from across the UK and abroad.

The fortnight would culminate in a finale event in Gloucester Park for 50,000 people.

The Cheeky Girls performed at Pride in Gloucestershire over the weekend

Gloucester City Council, which funds Pride in Gloucestershire, said it "fully supports" the application.

A spokesperson said: "Hosting Europride in 2027 would make a key contribution to delivering on our vision for equality, diversity and inclusion, particularly in terms of the legacy for LGBTQ+ people in our county.

"We have also committed in principle to providing key venues including Gloucester Park, Kings Square and Blackfriars Priory for the launch, weekender festival and march if the bid is successful."

The decision of who will host EuroPride 2027 will be made on 2 November at the annual conference of the European Pride Organisation, where each candidate will make their final presentation to the judges.

This will be available to watch via a Facebook live stream.

"It's a very close call," said Mr Stevens.

But he added: "I believe we have a strong bid and I'm confident that we can do this."