Lanzarote is already experiencing the third edition of Lanzarote International Cup, a competition that for 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 paraded along the Arrecife avenue, from the Puente de las Bolas to the Parque Islas Canarias, in a festive atmosphere featuring thousands of young footballers, families, and fans from different parts of Spain and abroad.
Alongside the sporting component, the event incorporated the participation of various cultural groups from Lanzarote, with the presence of batucadas, the Diabletes de Teguise, jugglers, and stilt walkers, among others, who filled the streets of the capital with color. This initiative allowed for the showcasing of local talent and enriched the participants' experience with elements of the island's culture.
The event was attended by the tournament organizers, Pedro Cabrera and Mercedes Pérez, as well as by Yonathan de León, mayor of Arrecife; and Juan Monzón, counselor for Physical Activity and Sports of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, who agreed in highlighting the growth experienced by the tournament and its capacity to project the image of Lanzarote internationally.
Also present on the stage were coach José Luis Mendilibar, sports journalist Tomás Roncero, and footballer Saúl Coco, who encouraged the participating children to enjoy the experience, make the most of every moment of camaraderie and competition, and represent the values promoted by the Lanzarote International Cup.
The show begins on the pitch
From June 18 to 21, the competition will bring together more than 120 teams in the benjamín, alevín, and infantil categories, who will play more than 300 matches on twelve fields distributed throughout the island's municipalities.
Combining seven-a-side and eleven-a-side football formats depending on the age of the participants, the teams will play an initial group stage that will lead to the knockout rounds, guaranteeing several matches for each club. The tournament will conclude with the finals to be held on Sunday, starting at 9 in the morning at the Ciudad Deportiva de Lanzarote, after which the awards ceremony will take place.
Among the participating clubs are 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 that will have the opportunity to compete with some of the best academies on the international scene.
An experience that transcends the playing field
Beyond the competition, Lanzarote International Cup has become a sporting, educational, and family experience that promotes values such as companionship, inclusion, respect, and personal improvement.
The 2026 edition once again brings together thousands of players, coaches, and families, with an estimated figure of over 10,000 visitors during the tournament days, reinforcing Lanzarote's position as a benchmark destination for sports tourism.
Furthermore, the championship continues to advance in its 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 possible thanks to the institutional support of the Department of Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, Turismo de Islas Canarias, the Cabildo de Lanzarote, the Island Sports Service, Turismo Lanzarote, the Centers of Art, Culture and Tourism, as well as the seven municipalities of the island.
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