La Nucía Doubles Down on Sports Tourism, Unveiling Ambitious 2026 Calendar
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La Nucía, Spain – The Spanish municipality of La Nucía is solidifying its position as a leading sports tourism destination, previewing a robust calendar of events for 2026 at the recent FITUR international tourism fair. The proactive strategy aims to build on a record-breaking 2025, leveraging athletic competitions to drive economic growth and cultural enrichment.
The municipality showcased its commitment to sports-led development during the fair, presenting a preview of events planned for 2026 while simultaneously reviewing the successes of the past year. According to a senior official, FITUR provided “the perfect setting to present all the sporting events that we have planned for 2026 and, at the same time, make a balance of what 2025 has meant for La Nucía.”
2025: A Landmark Year for Sports in La Nucía
Last year proved to be a watershed moment for La Nucía, with 169 sporting events generating over 840,000 overnight stays. The Ciudad Deportiva, the municipality’s sports complex, welcomed more than 4 million visitors throughout the year. These figures, as highlighted by the mayor, clearly demonstrate the substantial economic benefits derived from sports tourism.
Building on this momentum, La Nucía has already secured 120 sporting events for 2026 and unveiled eleven of them at FITUR. This diverse selection, representing a wide range of federations, underscores the Nuciera Sports City’s versatility and capacity to host events across numerous disciplines.
A Diverse Sporting Lineup for 2026
The 2026 calendar boasts a compelling mix of competitions, including events in boxing, kickboxing, judo, karate, and taekwondo. High-profile tests such as the Shimano Super Cup Massi de mountain bike, the Spanish Under-14 and Under-16 Athletics Championship, the La Nucía Asphalt Rally, and the Great Fund of La Nucía are also slated to take place.
Notably, the Great Fund of La Nucía will now be part of the UCI circuit, attracting participants and audiences from 44 countries. This inclusion is expected to significantly boost international visibility and visitor numbers.
Investing in Infrastructure to Support Growth
Recognizing the increasing demand for facilities, La Nucía recently inaugurated the Combat Sports Technique Center. This new infrastructure addresses a critical need, as the existing Muixara and Camilo Cano pavilions were frequently booked due to the popularity of martial arts events. The center will not only accommodate a larger number of athletes but also allow for the simultaneous hosting of diverse sporting activities, including handball, volleyball, and rhythmic gymnastics.
Balancing Tourism with Local Identity
While aggressively pursuing sports tourism, La Nucía remains committed to preserving its unique Mediterranean character. A senior official emphasized that the “old town is a town that we have protected and cared for, which keeps that charm of a Mediterranean town.”
To further enhance the visitor experience, the municipality is planning several projects funded by European funds, including the construction of a Festival Museum and Ethnological Museum, a double zip line connecting La Nucía and Polop, and a 700-meter underground gallery beneath the old town. A visual map showcasing the location of these new attractions would be beneficial here.
Synergizing Sports and Culture
The overarching strategy is to leverage the influx of visitors to the sports city to stimulate activity in the historic center. According to the mayor, the goal is to encourage at least some of the 4 million annual visitors to the sports complex to explore the old town, its museums, the new gallery, and local restaurants. This integrated approach reinforces the municipality’s model, where sports tourism serves as both a promotional and economic engine.
