‘This isn’t your usual sporting event!’ – Queer joy guaranteed at Kent Pride Games on June 27
With performances from drag acts and tribute bands, the Kent Pride Games at the Julie Rose Stadium promises to be a special event for the LGBTQ+ community. Jordan Chan explains what attendees can expect and why he’s so passionate about this project…
Hi! My name is Jordan Chan, and I’m the founder of Queer Kent Life, a community group that supports and creates LGBTQ+ events across Kent.
My next project is to bring Kent its first-ever Pride Games, where prides from across Kent will be competing in sports day activities to win the Rainbow Cup and a £250 cash prize for their pride organisation.
The Kent Pride Games in Ashford are being held in partnership with the Julie Rose Stadium, which has been vital in making this possible.
It’s a time to unite Kent Prides across the county, showing unity and strength at a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under threat.
The event is happening on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 12pm to 9pm. Tickets cost just £5 for adults, and it’s free for Under-16s.
Sports are often avoided by the LGBTQ+ community due to fear of rejection and ridicule.
From my own experiences, I never played sports as a kid or an adult, as I often felt sports weren’t a welcoming environment.
However, this recently changed when I started playing cricket.
I am now Kent Cricket Foundation’s first LGBTQ+ ambassador and helped create the Invicta Icons, Kent’s first LGBTQ+ inclusive cricket team.
I’m hoping that the Pride Games and having Prides from across Kent playing sports show the LGBTQ+ community in the region that there is a place for them, and that, in safe and welcoming environments, they can thrive.
I believe visibility is key, and by seeing Prides getting involved in sports, it encourages more of our community to get involved too.
We want to show sports clubs and venues that when safe, inclusive and welcoming environments are created, LGBTQ+ people will come.
That’s why it’s so important to support these Pride Games.
This isn’t your usual sporting event! Our community is known for also being fun and vibrant, so we have six drag acts performing, a Charlie XCX tribute, a DJ, stalls, a parade around the track and more!
Sheppey, Herne Bay, Ramsgate, Maidstone, Broadstairs, Margate and Medway are among the 13 Pride groups taking part, and we also have Dame Kelly Holmes, who will be judging the Games.
Our thanks to Jordan and best wishes to him and the Kent Pride Games, coming to the Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford on Saturday, 27 June, 2026. Grab a ticket here and follow on Instagram.
If you have an LGBTQ+ sports story to share, get in touch with us at Sports Media LGBT+ to start a conversation.
Further reading…
‘My LGBTQ cricket club has helped me find a love of sport I didn’t know existed’ (April 2026)
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