Lanzarote International Cup kicked off its third edition this Thursday with the celebration of its official presentation ceremony at the Palacio Spínola, in La Villa de Teguise, in an event that brought together institutional representatives, organizers, and prominent football figures.
The tournament, which will be held from June 17 to 21, will bring together more than 120 teams in the benjamín, alevín, and infantil categories, consolidating itself as one of the major events in international grassroots football. Furthermore, the arrival of more than 10,000 visitors is expected during the competition days, with a significant impact on the local economy.
The event was attended by the Minister of Physical Activity and Sports of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Juan Monzón; the Minister of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity and Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, Poli Suárez; the mayor of Teguise, Olivia Duque; the general manager of Promotur Turismo de Islas Canarias, José Juan Lorenzo; as well as the event organizers, Pedro Cabrera and Mercedes Pérez.
The president of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, who could not attend the press conference due to his schedule, stated that this event “represents the identity of our island and the very high capacity we have to host top-level sporting events”. “To be able to experience firsthand how the children of our island compete with the best youth academies in the world is something unique, an experience they will take with them for life and which I am sure they will never forget”.
During his speech, Juan Monzón assured that the Lanzarote International Cup “is an enviable event not only at a regional level, but also national and international”. “A few years ago, it was unthinkable that the seven municipalities of the island could host an event of this magnitude, with teams from different parts of the world competing with ours, a true dream”. Furthermore, Monzón wanted to congratulate the organization of this event “which has demonstrated the capacity to improve edition after edition”. “From the Insular Sports Service, we will support, now and always, this event that unites competition, fun, and camaraderie among different countries”, he pointed out.
For his part, Poli Suárez highlighted that this tournament "once again demonstrates the capacity of the Canary Islands to host competitions of international projection". Likewise, he pointed out that "initiatives of this level, which bring together some of the best clubs in the world, represent a magnificent opportunity to continue promoting grassroots sports and allow our children to share experiences with international role models". Suárez also congratulated the organization "for having managed, in just three editions, to consolidate this tournament within international youth football".
Olivia Duque stressed that "the impact that the tournament generates in the municipalities is very significant, not only from a sporting point of view, but also social, due to its capacity to involve the entire island in a common project that unites institutions, clubs, and citizens".
Likewise, José Juan Lorenzo emphasized that the Lanzarote International Cup has established itself as "a great showcase to demonstrate the advantages that the Canary Islands, in general, and Lanzarote, in particular, have as a top-level sports destination". Likewise, the managing director recalled the work carried out by Turismo de Islas Canarias to consolidate a broad agenda of events through sponsorships, detailing that "from 2021 to the first half of 2026, we are allocating 54.4 million euros to 966 events", an investment that, added to that of other public and private entities, has managed to generate a global impact of close to 291 million euros.
From the organization, Pedro Cabrera pointed out that "this edition represents a qualitative leap at all levels, both in participation and international projection". Mercedes Pérez, for her part, highlighted that "this tournament shows what we are capable of doing when we work together. The Lanzarote International Cup is an island project in which clubs, institutions, and companies row in the same direction to build something that transcends football".
The event also included a round table discussion in which sports journalist Tomás Roncero participated, along with Paco Lobato, Jonathan Sesma, and Antonio Guayre, who analyzed the growth of grassroots football and the role of tournaments like the Lanzarote International Cup in the development of young talents.
An island turned into a great sports stage
Lanzarote International Cup 2026 will be held on 12 football fields distributed throughout the island's municipalities, turning Lanzarote into a great sporting stage and promoting the territorial dynamization of the event.
Among the confirmed clubs are top-tier teams such as FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia CF, Athletic Club, Real Betis, and Sevilla FC, along with major international clubs like Manchester City, AC Milan, Juventus, Torino FC, FC Porto, and SL Benfica, which guarantees a high competitive level and great international projection.
Economic impact and legacy
In its previous edition, held in 2025, the Lanzarote International Cup generated an economic impact exceeding 10 million euros, consolidating itself as a key driver for the local economy and a benchmark in the promotion of sports tourism.
The tournament also promotes values such as inclusion and respect, while positioning Lanzarote as a reference destination, attracting qualified tourism linked to sports and family experiences.
Beyond sports
The event reinforces its commitment to a management model aligned with the SDGs and the Canary Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030, incorporating measures in both the environmental and social spheres.
In environmental matters, the collaboration agreement with the Arrecife Natura Association is renewed to promote actions for the preservation and regeneration of the natural environment, as well as to foster awareness among participants, visitors, and citizens.
This is complemented by the continuation of a plan of measures aimed at reducing the event's impact, such as the use of electric and hybrid vehicles in internal operations, the optimization of collective transport for teams, or the commitment to reusable materials. Priority is also given to local suppliers and the coordination of selective waste collection with public administrations for its proper treatment.
In the social sphere, the tournament will take an important step with the launch of the "Barrier-Free Assistance Services" initiative, a protocol that will facilitate the access and participation of people with invisible disabilities, including preferential circuits and specific training for staff and volunteers.
Furthermore, the event continues to reinforce its solidarity aspect, allocating 100% of the proceeds from the final to social entities on the island. At the same time, it will incorporate, with the association LanzaroTEA, awareness-raising actions on neurodiversity in its communication and development. This commitment is completed with the establishment, in collaboration with the Cabildo de Lanzarote, of the Orange Point as a reference space for the support and guidance of people with disabilities or specific needs.
This event is possible thanks to the institutional support of the Department of Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, Tourism of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo de Lanzarote, the Insular Sports Service, Lanzarote Tourism, the Centers of Art, Culture and Tourism, as well as the seven town councils of the island.
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