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As millions of soccer fans prepare to descend on North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a new network of LGBTQ-friendly “Pride Houses” is launching across all 16 host cities.
The initiative, called Pride House United 2026, will establish dedicated gathering spaces for LGBTQ fans and athletes throughout the 39-day tournament.
Advocates say the tournament’s last two editions were held in countries criticized for their treatment of LGBTQ people — Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 — leaving some fans feeling unwelcome.
Pride House venues are set to host community events, watch parties and offer resources for visitors.
The effort comes as organizations including Amnesty International and the ACLU have taken the extreme step of issuing travel advisories claiming some groups could face increased risks while visiting the US.
“The United States is a real nightmare, in terms of queer travelers and ICE raids and racial profiling,” Keph Senett, a trustee for Pride House International, claimed to the SF Chronicle.
The concept traces its roots back to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where the first Pride House was created as a hub for LGBTQ athletes and fans.
Pride House LA/West Hollywood recently announced a four-day launch celebration timed to coincide with the opening weekend of the World Cup on June 11, featuring viewing parties, interactive storytelling, sports demos and more.
The Los Angeles Pride House will be at Beaches Tropicana, a bar in West Hollywood’s “Rainbow District.” Other Pride Houses, which are organized locally, will pop up in San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
The World Cup kicks off June 11 in Los Angeles across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Pride Houses expected to welcome thousands of visitors throughout the games.
