London’s First Ever LGBTQ+ Sports Festival Launches at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre

The latest addition to London’s Pride month activities will be the 2024 Out for Sport Festival – London’s first ever LGBTQ+ sports festival.

Taking place on Sunday 16^th June at one of London’s most iconic sporting destinations – Crystal Palace National Sports Centre – the Festival aims to break down barriers to sports participation.

Approximately 20 LGBTQ+ inclusive sports clubs, representing a wide range for sporting disciplines and drawn from across the capital, will be offering free taster sessions throughout the day, suitable for anyone be they experienced athletes or those wishing to try a new activity for the first time. 

The event aims to increase LGBTQ+ community involvement in sports, highlight the health and well-being benefits of an active lifestyle and showcase London’s LGBTQ+ inclusive sporting groups.

Event organiser David Lionetti comments: “We are hoping the Out for Sport Festival will encourage and inspire members of the LGBTQ+ community to connect with each other in a welcoming and safe environment, while promoting a healthier lifestyle through sports and physical activity.

“There will be a fantastic array of activities to try from hockey, tennis and rugby to dancing, jujitsu and boxing.  Everyone is welcome, no previous experience is needed, just enthusiasm and interest in finding out more.”

The event is supported by Better, the charitable social enterprise behind Crystal Palace National Sports Centre and the UK’s largest operator of municipal leisure facilities.

Out for Sport Festival Provisional Timetable

11am – 1pm

Tennis – South London Smashers

Squash – Outplay

Football – Hackney Women’s Football Club

Dance – UK Equality Dance Council

Boxing – Knockout

Boating – Thames Dragon Boat Club

Basketball – London Cruisers Basketball Club & London Knights Basketball Club

Jujitsu – Ishigaki Jujitsu

Rugby – London Stags

2.30pm – 4.30pm

Tennis – North London Lob-sters

Football – Charlton Ivicta

Line Dancing – The Cactus Club

Cricket – Graces Cricket Club

Netball – Unicorns Netball Club

Kempo Martial Arts – Camden Kempo

Hockey – London Royals

Swimming – Out for Swim