The glittery race to host EuroPride 2028 is officially on, and it’s serving major queer energy with a side of political gravitas. Two bids are in the spotlight: Manchester, the beloved northern UK city that last hosted the festival in 2003, and a bold joint effort from Ireland’s west—featuring The Outing Festival, Quare Clare and Limerick Pride—looking to splash some Pride along the Wild Atlantic Way.
EuroPride, which has been the continent’s marquee LGBTQ+ celebration since 1992, is more than a parade—it’s a cultural and political statement. And in the words of Patrick Orth, head of the European Pride Organisers Association, that statement has never been more necessary. “The high velocity of political change across Europe is making EuroPride even more important for our community to come together and keep pressing for change,” Orth said. “The political shifts in the UK and Ireland are no less profound.”
Manchester Pride’s chief, Mark Fletcher, didn’t hold back. He sees this as a moment of defiance and resilience. “Hosting EuroPride 2028 in Manchester will send a clear message. Our communities will not be silenced, erased or pushed back into the shadows,” he declared. The northern city’s bid aims to channel that fire into what Fletcher called “a bold, unapologetic celebration of LGBTQIA+ joy, creativity and resilience.”
Meanwhile, across the Irish Sea, the competing bid is turning heads with a powerful message of inclusion, heritage, and community. “Hosting EuroPride 2028 would be a historic milestone, celebrating love, diversity and acceptance against the stunning backdrop of the Wild Atlantic Way,” said Irish representative Eddie McGuinness. “This event would highlight the island of Ireland’s welcoming nature and extend Pride in Our Community.”
LGBTQ+ Impact: Pride with Purpose
This isn’t just a location battle—it’s a tug-of-war for queer visibility in an era where LGBTQIA+ rights across Europe are being both challenged and championed. Whether it’s Manchester’s gritty urban legacy or Ireland’s blossoming queer renaissance, both bids are answering the same call: to use Pride as a megaphone for justice, resistance, and unapologetic self-expression.
Let’s be real: EuroPride is where disco meets demonstration. It’s where voguing down the street is a political act. And with either of these bids, the 2028 edition is shaping up to be more than just a party—it’s a rallying cry.
The full bids will be revealed this August, with the final decision announced at the EPOA conference in Barcelona this October. But no matter who snatches the crown, one thing’s for sure: EuroPride 2028 will be loud, proud, and politically charged—and exactly what the queer community needs.