Liverpool Pride has announced a last-minute venue change for its official opening party, moving the event from the M&S Bank Arena to the Liverpool Experience Campus (LEX) just eight days before the celebrations are set to begin on Friday, July 24. Organisers confirmed the switch to the ECHO, stating that the new location will provide a more intimate and vibrant atmosphere.
Headliners and Line-Up
Headlining the opening night are Sugababes, who will perform a set packed with their biggest hits. They will be joined by Beth Ditto, who is set to play her first-ever solo show in Liverpool. The line-up also includes RuPaul's Drag Race stars Bimini and Tia Kofi, while the Pride dancefloor will be soundtracked by Harrsn and the House Gospel Choir. Legendary Glitterbox favourites Horse Meat Disco will also return to deliver a special Pride disco set.
Venue Change Details
The event was originally planned for the M&S Bank Arena. However, organisers have now confirmed the venue has been moved to the Liverpool Experience Campus (LEX), a few minutes' walk away from the original venue. A spokesperson at Liverpool Experience Campus said: “As part of our ongoing planning, we've made the decision to move the event from the M&S Bank Arena to The Auditorium, in the convention centre adjacent to the arena on Liverpool Experience Campus – the same venue as Saturday’s event. Our priority is delivering the best possible experience for everyone attending, and we believe the Auditorium will provide a more intimate, vibrant and high-energy atmosphere for what promises to be a fantastic night of celebration.”
Community and Performers
Hosting the night, now at LEX, is Liverpool’s own Tyler DeClaire, joined by drag queens Debbie Darling and Pam Sandwich, who will both host and perform across the evening. The night will begin with Liverpool’s Pride Opening Ceremony, curated by Debbie Darling herself, bringing together dozens of LGBTQ+ performers and voices from across Liverpool. Details on Liverpool’s Pride Opening Ceremony performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Partnership and Vision
At the time of the initial announcement, 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.”
Liverpool’s Pride 2026 is delivered through a 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”.
Saturday Pride March
The following day, thousands will take to the streets to celebrate again. The centrepiece of day two will be the Liverpool Pride March, which will begin on Houghton Street, outside St John's Beacon, before making its way through the city centre via Church Street and Paradise Street, finishing on Lord Street. Designed to improve accessibility, this year's route removes the need for the road closures used in previous years. For 2026, the march will be walking only, with no vehicles or floats, placing the focus on community participation and collective visibility.
