North East Travel Sector Unites in Support of Newcastle Pride
Newcastle Pride today announces its travel industry partners for Pride Festival 2026, with Nexus, British Airways Flying Proud, Newcastle Airport and Stagecoach uniting to support this year’s city-wide festivities.
Together, the four sponsors are helping to ensure Newcastle Pride remains representative, inclusive and accessible for all, while reinforcing the importance of safe, reliable and sustainable transport links for attendees travelling across the region and beyond.
This year, Nexus, operator of Tyne and Wear Metro and longstanding supporter of the festival, joins Newcastle Pride as its official City Host Partner, helping to support travel across the city and ensuring attendees can move safely and efficiently between celebrations.
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “Inclusivity is the cornerstone of our brand, so we are thrilled to be the official City Host Partner for this year’s Northern Pride Festival. Metro is a great way to get to and from this brilliant event.
“Accessibility has always been a core value for us, and we are passionate about creating a transport system where customers can feel safe, comfortable and encouraged to be themselves, celebrating individuality and identity, free from discrimination.
“As a responsible employer we are fully committed to championing equality and diversity. These values are echoed throughout our organisation.”
Newcastle Airport also returns as a sponsor for this year’s festival, this time taking on the role of Pride’s Official Accessibility Partner for 2026, marking the charity’s commitment to ensuring that everyone can enjoy this year’s festivities and that Pride remains welcoming, safe and inclusive for all attendees.
As with previous years, the entire festival will be fully wheelchair accessible, with all official partner venues providing step-free access and essential facilities, including accessible toilets. This extends across all festival zones, including the Pride Arena, where AccessoLoo units will be available for attendees requiring hoist and changing facilities.
To ensure the weekend is inclusive for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters will be present at the Arena Stage and Trans+ Stage. Full accessibility information and schedules will be available in the official festival programme.
Dean Ward, Director of Commercial and Executive Sponsor for Newcastle Airports LGBTQIA+ Allies Network Group commented: “Pride is about celebrating people for who they are and accessibility is about making sure everyone can be part of that celebration. As an airport, connecting people is what we do every day - and we’re proud to stand with Newcastle Pride to help make it welcoming, inclusive and accessible for all."
Stagecoach are the official travel partner this year and will be supporting the festival's wider ambition to make Pride more accessible for visitors travelling from across the UK and internationally.
Steve Walker, Managing Director of Stagecoach North East added: “We’re proud to support Newcastle Pride and celebrate the diversity, inclusion and sense of community that make the North East such a vibrant place to live and work. As a business that connects people and communities every day, we believe everyone should feel welcomed, respected and valued, whether they are travelling on our services or working within our organisation.
“Newcastle Pride is an important celebration of equality, visibility and belonging, and we’re delighted to support an event that brings people together and showcases the region’s commitment to creating inclusive communities for all.”
Also joining Newcastle Pride this year are Lumo who will be supporting artist travel alongside British Airways Flying Proud, who is the official Trans+ Stage partner, supporting a special programme of activity by trans+ artists on the 25th July including a market, discussion and cabaret bill. Stagecoach are also the travel partner this year and will be supporting the festival's wider ambition to make Pride more accessible for visitors travelling from across the UK and internationally.
Kimberley Ryans, Flying Proud Co-Lead commented: “British Airways Flying Proud is dedicated to supporting our LGBTQIA+ colleagues and customers. This year, our focus is on gender identity, so we’re very excited to sponsor the Trans+ Zone at Newcastle Pride! With many of our teams located in Newcastle too, this partnership helps us to meaningfully support the local community where our people live and work.
Phil Douglas, CEO of Curious Arts, added: “We’re delighted to be working alongside and have the support of such notable travel brands here in the North East. These partners share our commitment to removing barriers to attendance, improving access and connectivity for those travelling into the city, and helping to ensure Newcastle Pride remains a space where everyone feels valued, supported and free to be themselves. We can’t wait to welcome thousands of festivalgoers into the city this July with the help of our partners.”
Newcastle Pride weekend will take place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July 2026, bringing together live entertainment, community activities, performances, markets and the annual Pride march in Newcastle city centre.
Those wishing to support Newcastle Pride with their ongoing fundraising appeals or to find out more about sponsorship opportunities can visit Newcastle Pride’s website and social channels.
