‘One of the greatest honours of my life’: Darts referee Huw Ware named as EuroGames Cardiff 2027 ambassador
The UK’s first-ever LGBTQ+-inclusive multi-sport event, EuroGames Cardiff 2027, has announced its latest ambassador; PDC referee Huw Ware, who made darts history in 2025, says it’s a privilege to be asked; in a column for Sports Media LGBT+, the proud Welshman explains why the role means so much…
It’s a privilege to be an Ambassador for EuroGames Cardiff 2027.
Since 1992, EuroGames has become one of the biggest and most significant platforms for LGBTQ+ athletes to showcase themselves and their sporting prowess.
To be an ambassador for the first-ever EuroGames to be held in the UK is one of the greatest honours of my life.
For Cardiff to be chosen as the Games’ first UK host city is a testament to its reputation. The Welsh capital has an excellent track record of delivering successful sporting occasions, from the 1958 Commonwealth Games; to the FA Cup, League Cup and Play-Off Finals between 2001 and 2006; to the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final; to being the home of the Welsh rugby team; and so much more.
Cardiff is truly proud and passionate about sports and culture, which makes it a fitting choice to host EuroGames.
When I was 19 years old, I moved to the city and immersed myself in its LGBTQ+ scene, which in turn gave me the confidence to find myself.
Without those experiences, I probably wouldn’t have had the confidence to come out within the darts environment.
I owe that to Cardiff, its vibe and its welcoming, safe environment, so I can tell you from my own personal experience that this is a city that will welcome all athletes, giving you a space to be able to compete and to enjoy yourselves in equal measure.
@eurogames.2027 Croeso i Gymru. 🏴 Land of fire. Of song. Of queer joy! 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 Where sport lives in the streets, in the pubs, in the stories we tell about who we are. This St David’s Day, we celebrate Wales. The people, the culture and everything we have to offer! We cannot wait to show you around. Registration for EuroGames 2027 opens this May. So get ready! Bring your fire! Dewch â’r tân! Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus. #stdavidsday #cardiff #eurogames2027 #lgbtsports ♬ original sound – EuroGames 2027
As we all know, it’s a tough time for so many of us in sport right now, and that applies to darts as well as many other sports.
A YouGov survey commissioned in January found that three times as many people in the LGBTQ+ community experience discrimination whilst exercising. 37% of LGBTQ+ respondents said they “had experienced discrimination by someone else’s behaviour, attitudes or language while exercising or trying to exercise”.
More than a third of LGBTQ+ people feel that their sexuality is a barrier to participation in sport, exercise or other forms of movement, and this in turn has led to 45% of those from LGBTQ+ communities not meeting Government-recommended levels of vigorous exercise.
The current political climate in sport is unlikely to alter those figures in a positive way any time soon, which is why it’s important to emphasise that all EuroGames participants may self-identify their gender and compete in that category, with no legal or medical documentation required.
Non-binary participants will be as welcome and actively supported across all categories; there will be no gender verification or testing procedures; and every person, regardless of their gender, will have the opportunity to participate in a category that aligns with their identity and comfort.
It’s simply adhering to a message that is as old as time: that sport is for all. That applies to darts as well as every other sport.
The beauty about darts is that it doesn’t matter who you are, what your background is or where you are from. Both players have three darts in their hand, and it’s about who throws them better – that’s it.
It’s the ultimate “leveller” sport, so with that in mind, combined with how popular the sport has become both in the UK, Europe and right across the world, it’s my sincere hope that darts is going to be a major feature at a EuroGames for the first time in the multi-sport event’s history.
I encourage as many people as possible to enter, whether you’re a beginner, have a little experience or a lot. All are welcome to come and try their hands at the greatest sport in the world and, most importantly, have fun!
That applies to every sport you wish to enter at EuroGames Cardiff 2027. I promise to help to provide the best experience for all athletes in any way that I can, so please do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions you may have, and I wish everybody the best time from July 14 to 17, 2027.
See you there!
Huw Ware is officiating at Premier League Finals Night at The O2 in London on Thursday, May 28. In 2025, he became the first out gay man in history to take charge of a World Darts Championship final.
He is the third EuroGames Cardiff 2027 ambassador to be named so far, following Olympic hockey medalist Sarah Jones and Wales football legend Jess Fishlock.
You can register NOW for the Darts competition at EuroGames Cardiff 2027, which is being organised by Out on the Oche, the official LGBTQ+ darts group.
Further reading…
EuroGames Cardiff 2027 becomes first UK signatory of LGBTQ-inclusive sports charter (May 2026)
Targeting of trans and DSD athletes is exactly why LGBTQ sports events like Gay Games and EuroGames exist (April 2026)
Jess Fishlock says EuroGames Cardiff 2027 ambassadorial role ‘important for visibility’ (BBC Sport, March 2026)
Olympic swimmer Dan Jervis ‘in awe’ of LGBTQ community and excited for EuroGames Cardiff 2027 (June 2025)
To learn more about EuroGames Cardiff 2027, visit the official website where you can sign up for email updates.
Interested in sponsorship and partnership opportunities? Email the team at info@eurogames2027.com
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