The tournament days arrive with football taking the spotlight. The Costa Blanca Cup kicked off in Benidorm, drawing 3,810 players, both boys and girls, from 265 teams representing 109 clubs and national teams. At the opening ceremony, participants from 15 countries spanning five continents gathered on Monday to mark the start of the 28th edition.
Beaches at Levante, the Mediterranean promenade, and l’Aigüera Park provided the setting for athletes marching to the Julio Iglesias Auditorium, where the opening show of this prominent youth football and futsal tournament unfolded for young players on both genders.
The city’s leadership welcomed the participants with a strong message of hospitality, inviting everyone to spend these days with vigor and memorable intensity. The Costa Blanca Cup was framed as a week packed with football, cheerful moments, emotion, competition, and the opportunity to share time with people from across the globe.
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The 28th edition reinforces a long-standing tradition of gathering teams from around the world to foster experiences among players from diverse nationalities, races, and cultures, while delivering the high-energy, competitive spirit that makes youth football and futsal so engaging.
Community leaders emphasized enduring values such as respect and coexistence, and highlighted the expansion of Costa Blanca Inclusive, a program that adds a new modality this year. The initiative underscores how football can unite people, build understanding, and encourage generous, supportive behavior. This inclusive focus was first recognized in the tournament’s Emprén Esport awards in 2013 and 2021 through the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation.
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City representatives encouraged more than 3,800 accompanying athletes, coaches, and support staff, along with their families, to savor every moment of the Costa Blanca Cup. The message was simple: play to be happy and cherish both the competition and the leisure time the event provides.
The 28th edition will feature eight venues and once again commit to promoting inclusive football. The main operations hub remains in Benidorm, with sub-offices spread across Altea, La Nucía, La Vila Joiosa, Polop, Finestrat, Calpe, and Benissa. A total of 600 matches are planned, though some scheduling details required adjustments, with a key match slate rescheduled to July 9 to ensure optimal conditions for all participants.
The 28th edition is dedicated to inclusive football for players with intellectual disabilities, a focus highlighted by local officials who describe the tournament as a platform that broadens participation and celebrates the beautiful game in broader and more inclusive terms.