The city is set to kick off Liverpool’s Pride 2026 in spectacular style, as organisers Sahir House unveil the first wave of artists for its Official Opening Party at the M&S Bank Arena a bold, celebratory statement of unity and inclusion wrapped with community performance on a world-class level.
Leading the announcement in truly iconic fashion, Sugababes will headline the night with a full-scale greatest hits set, bringing one of the most beloved pop catalogues of the last two decades to the city’s Pride celebrations.
Joining them is global LGBTQ+ icon Beth Ditto, who will perform her first ever solo show in Liverpool. As the voice of Gossip, she created era-defining anthems that brought identity, freedom and activism into the mainstream, becoming a powerful symbol of self-expression worldwide.
The line-up continues with a vibrant celebration of club culture and self-expression, featuring drag superstar Bimini and the unmistakable RuPaul Drag Race UK Winner Tia Kofi, who will also perform in the city for the first time.
Pride dancefloor euphoria will come courtesy of Harrsn featuring the sensational House Gospel Choir, who return to Liverpool for the first time since their unforgettable headline performance during Liverpool’s Eurovision fan festival at the Pier Head in 2023.
Legendary Glitterbox stalwarts and city-favourites Horse Meat Disco will return to deliver a special Pride disco set to take the arena roof off ahead of the headliners taking to the stage.
Hosting the night is Liverpool’s very own inimitable Tyler DeClaire, joined by beloved scouse Queens Debbie Darling and Pam Sandwich, who will both host and themselves perform across the evening.
The night will begin with a Liverpool’s Pride Opening Ceremony, curated by Debbie Darling herself, bringing together dozens of LGBTQ+ performers and voices from across Liverpool in a powerful, unifying moment on the city’s biggest stage. Details on the Liverpool’s Pride Opening Ceremony performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Opening Party marks the official launch of what promises to be Liverpool’s most exciting Pride in years, setting the tone for a full weekend of celebration including the Liverpool’s Pride March, community-led events, and an expansive city-wide cultural programme to be announced in the coming weeks.
Liverpool’s Pride 2026 is delivered through a landmark collaboration between Sahir House and the LCR Pride Foundation, building on a shared commitment to creating a Pride that is inclusive, representative and rooted in the community.
This strengthened partnership will ensure that Liverpool’s Pride 2026 continues to champion LGBTQ+ voices, celebrate diversity in all its forms, and create meaningful opportunities for communities across the Liverpool City Region to come together.
With a line-up spanning pop icons, LGBTQ+ trailblazers, drag royalty and world-class DJs, and dozens of performers from the Liverpool community, the Official Opening Party promises a high-energy, inclusive and unforgettable start to Liverpool’s Pride weekend
Mark Christopherson, Trustee of Sahir House said:
“Liverpool Pride 2026 aims to build on last year’s powerful celebration by strengthening partnerships and securing sustainable support, ensuring the event continues to grow as an inclusive and impactful moment for the city’s LGBTQ+ community. This year, we’re proud to launch our first-ever Opening Night in partnership with the M&S Bank Arena - a landmark moment celebrating LGBTQ+ culture on a scale it truly deserves. The night opens with a big party led by local LGBTQ+ artists appearing throughout, before Sugababes top the bill for a special headline moment - reflecting our ambition to grow Pride in Liverpool in bold and meaningful ways for the future”
Ben Williams, Commercial and Business Development Director at M&S Bank Arena said:
“M&S Bank Arena is where Liverpool comes together for its biggest moments, and we’re incredibly proud to host the Opening Party for Liverpool’s Pride. Working in partnership with Sahir House and the LCR Pride Foundation reflects our commitment to creating spaces where everyone feels seen, celebrated and represented. Pride is driven by the creativity and strength of our LGBTQ+ communities and bringing both global icons and local performers onto our stage is something truly special. We’re honoured to help launch a weekend that embodies unity, joy and inclusion.”
Proceeds from the Official Opening Party will support the vital work of Sahir House for the LGBTQ+ community, while also contributing to Liverpool’s Pride Saturday programme - a vibrant, community-led celebration taking place across the city, bringing together organisations, performers and audiences from across the region.
Further announcements, including Liverpool’s Pride March 2026, additional events & artists and the wider city programme, will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Liverpool's Pride 2026 First Announced Line Up:
SUGABABES, BETH DITTO, BIMINI, HORSEMEAT DISCO, TIA KOFI, HARSSN ft HOUSE GOSPEL CHOIR, TYLER DACLAIRE, PAM SANDWICH, DEBBIE DARLING, LIVERPOOL’S PRIDE OPENING CEREMONY FEATURING DOZENS OF LIVERPOOL LGBTQ PERFORMERS TO BE ANNOUNCED
Tickets for the Opening Party are priced £35.00 - £45.00 + Fees and available from Thursday April 2nd.
Sign up for presale -
Presale - Wednesday 1 April 10:00am
General on sale - Thursday 2 April 10:00am
TICKET LINKS -
General sale link: https://www.mandsbankarena.com/whats-on/liverpools-pride-opening-party/
Presale link: https://www.mandsbankarena.com/whats-on/liverpools-pride-opening-party-presale/