Lanzarote International Cup kicks off its third edition

• The traditional opening parade filled the streets of Arrecife and the Parque Islas Canarias with color, excitement and a festive atmosphere.
• More than 120 teams and 10,000 visitors will be part of an event that generates an economic impact of more than 10 million euros on the island.

Lanzarote is already experiencing the third edition of the Lanzarote International Cup, a competition that has established itself as one of the great references of international grassroots football and which, during the next four days, will once again fill the island with football, camaraderie and young talent.

The opening day was marked by the traditional parade of the participating teams, which traveled along Arrecife Avenue, from the Puente de las Bolas (Bridge of the Balls) to the Parque Islas Canarias (Canary Islands Park)In a festive atmosphere, thousands of young footballers, families, and fans from across Spain and abroad gathered. Alongside the sporting aspect, the event also included the participation of various cultural groups from LanzaroteWith the presence of batucada bands, the Diabletes de Teguise, jugglers, and stilt walkers, among others, the streets of the capital were filled with color. This initiative showcased local talent and to enrich the participants' experience with elements of the island's culture.

The event was attended by the tournament organizers, Pedro Cabrera and Mercedes Pérezas well as with the interventions of Yonathan de LeónMayor of Arrecife; and Juan MonzónCouncilor for Physical Activity and Sports of the Lanzarote Island Council, who agreed to highlight the growth experienced by the tournament and its ability to project the image of Lanzarote internationally. 

The coach was also present on stage José Luis Mendilibar, the sports journalist Tomás Roncero and the footballer Saul Cocowho encouraged the participating boys and girls to enjoy the experience, take advantage of every moment of coexistence and competition, and represent the values promoted by the Lanzarote International Cup.

The show on the grass begins

From June 18 to 21, the competition will bring together more than 120 teams of the categories benjamín, alevín and infantile, that they will compete more than 300 meetings in the 12 fields distributed throughout all the municipalities of the island.

Combining 7-a-side and 11-a-side football formats Depending on the age of the participants, the teams will compete in an initial group stage followed by knockout rounds, guaranteeing several matches for each club. The tournament will conclude with The finals will be held on Sunday, starting at 9 a.m. at the Lanzarote Sports City, after which, the following will take place awards ceremony.

The participating clubs include some of the most prestigious entities in European and world football, such as Manchester City, Aston Villa, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus, Benfica, FC Porto, Olympiacos, Valencia CF, Athletic Club, Real Betis, Sevilla FC or Torino FC, along with numerous Canarian and local teams who will have the opportunity to compete against some of the best youth academies on the international scene. 

An experience that transcends the playing field

Beyond the competition, the Lanzarote International Cup has become a sporting, educational and family experience that promotes values such as camaraderie, inclusion, respect and personal improvement.

The 2026 edition will once again bring together thousands of players, coaches and family members, with a forecast exceeding the 10,000 visitors during the days of the tournament, reinforcing Lanzarote's position as a benchmark destination for sports tourism.

Furthermore, the championship continues to progress in their commitment to sustainability and social impact, maintaining measures aimed at waste reduction, sustainable mobility and collaboration with social entities on the island, and incorporating new awareness and inclusion actions.

This event is made possible thanks to the institutional support of Department of Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, Canary Islands Tourism, he Lanzarote Island Council, he Island Sports Service, Lanzarote Tourism, The Centers for Art, Culture and Tourism, as well as the seven municipalities of the island.

**You can download the Lanzarote International Cup app and also experience the excitement of the tournament through the channel of YouTube.