Cape Town has secured the bid to host WorldPride 2028, marking a historic moment as the first African city to welcome this globally celebrated LGBTQ+ event.
Known for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture, the Mother City is ready to embrace the global LGBTIQ+ community and allies, showcasing its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The announcement comes as a major milestone for the city, renowned as one of the world’s leading LGBTQ+ travel destinations.
WorldPride 2025 was held in Washington DC between May 23 and June 8.
Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy expressed the city’s pride and excitement:
“Cape Town is deeply honoured to host WorldPride 2028. Our city embodies the spirit of diversity, inclusivity, and the belief that love transcends all boundaries. This event is a celebration and a powerful statement of solidarity for LGBTQ+ individuals across Africa and beyond.”
The race to host the event was fiercely contested, with Cape Town Pride narrowly beating Guadalajara Pride in Mexico by securing 53% of the vote.
The victory highlights the strength and passion of Cape Town’s LGBTQ+ community and their commitment to making WorldPride a transformative experience.
Alderman James Vos, Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, remarked:
“The hosting of WorldPride reaffirms Cape Town’s reputation as one of the LGBTQ+ travel capitals of the world. We eagerly anticipate welcoming travellers to celebrate the unity of diversity.”
WorldPride, first held in Rome in 2000, has become a platform for raising global awareness of LGBTQ+ rights, combining parades, festivals, and human rights conferences.
The event is expected to draw millions of visitors to Cape Town, offering an unparalleled opportunity to reshape narratives around LGBTQ+ issues in Africa.
This is the bid video that convinced judges that Cape Town would be the perfect place to host WorldPride2028:
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