Pride in London announces bid to host WorldPride 2032

Pride in London has formally declared its intention to bid for WorldPride 2032, positioning the capital to welcome one of the world’s most significant LGBTQ+ events at a pivotal moment in its own history. The proposed year aligns with the 60th anniversary of London’s first Pride march, which took place on 1 July 1972 and was organised by activists from the Gay Liberation Front.

Pride in London’s leadership stated that the decision to bid specifically for 2032, rather than an earlier available year, was made to honour this milestone and to bring renewed international attention to the city’s longstanding role in LGBTQ+ activism.

Interim CEO Rebecca Paisis emphasised that Pride’s origins in protest remain central to its mission, noting that hosting WorldPride in 2032 would allow London to “welcome the world to our city” at a time when LGBTQ+ rights face challenges in many parts of the globe. She added that the anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the movement’s history while showcasing the progress and resilience of LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

If selected, London would stage an expanded 10‑day programme designed to highlight both celebration and advocacy. Plans include two major marches through the city, an international human rights conference, and a range of cultural events culminating in opening and closing ceremonies. Organisers say the scale and ambition of the proposed programme demonstrate London’s readiness to host a global event that unites activists, community groups and visitors in a shared commitment to visibility and equality.

The bid has already secured significant political and community backing. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly endorsed the campaign, while the bid is being jointly chaired by Paisis and Philip O’Ferrall, CEO of the Outernet entertainment district. Pride in London’s annual parade routinely attracts more than a million spectators and tens of thousands of participants, reinforcing the organisation’s confidence that the city can deliver a safe, inclusive and world‑class WorldPride.

London previously hosted WorldPride in 2012, a year that also saw the Olympic Games take place in the capital. Although the event faced funding challenges that resulted in parts of the festival being scaled back, including reductions to planned programming, the core parade and rally still drew large crowds. Organisers of the new bid say that lessons learned from that experience have shaped a more robust and sustainable plan for 2032, supported by strengthened community partnerships and civic engagement.

WorldPride, coordinated by InterPride and hosted biennially in different international cities, is intended to promote LGBTQ+ visibility, awareness and human rights through parades, festivals and conferences. Upcoming editions are already confirmed for Washington, DC in 2025, Amsterdam in 2026, and Cape Town in 2028.