The Sports Capital of the Maresme Coast
Calella has established itself as one of Catalonia’s leading sports tourism destinations. Thanks to its outstanding climate, excellent sports facilities, and privileged location on the Mediterranean coast, the town welcomes thousands of athletes and accompanying visitors every year from across Spain and numerous European countries.
In 2026, Calella will once again host major competitions in athletics, cycling, swimming, football, handball, trail running, and triathlon. Discover the most important sporting events taking place in the town throughout the year.
Handball: Calella, Capital of Catalan Handball 2026–2027
Handball is one of the sports with the strongest tradition in Calella. Since 2005, the town’s beach has hosted major beach handball competitions, bringing together some of the best national and international teams.
In addition, Calella has been officially designated Capital of Catalan Handball for 2026 and 2027, succeeding Esplugues de Llobregat during the Festa de l’Handbol Català organised by the Catalan Handball Federation.
Major Handball Events in 2026
- January: Spanish Handball Championship.
- April:Handball Costa del Maresme Cup 2026.
- June: Handbol al Carrer (Handball in the Streets).
- Late August: Catalonia Super Cup.
Gran Fondo Scott Calella 2026
Cycling will once again take centre stage on 15 March 2026 with the Gran Fondo Scott Calella, one of the most important cycling sportives in Catalonia.
Participants will enjoy spectacular routes along the Maresme Coast and through the inland landscapes of the region, combining sporting challenge with breathtaking scenery.
Summer Games for Senior Citizens
The Summer Games for Senior Citizens are organised by the Associació de Gent Gran (Espai Caixa) and Calella Marxa.
This sporting and social event brings together around 200 participants and takes place every four years during the first week of July, promoting physical activity, social interaction, and active ageing.
Jordi Bachs Beach Volleyball Memorial Tournament
Every August, a mixed beach volleyball tournament is held on Calella’s main beach, Platja Gran. The tournament honours local volleyball player Jordi Bachs and attracts around one hundred participants each year who come together to enjoy sport while promoting the values of fair play and healthy competition.
Brava Football Tournament
On 5–6 September and 12–13 September 2026, Calella will host another edition of the Brava Football Tournament.
More than 3,000 young footballers will take part in this prestigious youth football competition for Under-11 and Under-13 categories, turning the town into a major meeting point for clubs from across Europe.
Open Water Swimming
Calella Open Water Swim
The traditional Calella Swimming Crossing takes place every summer in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The main race covers a distance of 1,000 metres, starting from the Red Cross station on Platja Gran beach. Organised by Club Natació Calella, the event is open to swimmers of all levels.
On 6 September 2026, a new 2-kilometre open water swimming race will also be held, ideal for long-distance swimming enthusiasts.
Calella Aquathlon 2026
Also taking place on 6 September 2026, the Calella Aquathlon is a demanding event that combines swimming and running:
- 400 metres swimming.
- 2,000 metres running.
- 400 metres swimming.
La Minerva Popular Walk
The La Minerva Walk will be held on 13 September 2026 as part of Calella’s annual town festival programme.
Participants can choose between two walking routes designed for different fitness levels, with both the start and finish located on the iconic Passeig Manuel Puigvert.
IRONMAN Calella-Barcelona
On 4 October 2026, Calella will once again become a global triathlon hotspot with the staging of IRONMAN Calella-Barcelona.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious long-distance triathlon events, it attracts more than 3,000 athletes from over 70 countries every year.
Participants face an extraordinary challenge combining swimming, cycling, and a full marathon in a spectacular Mediterranean setting.
Race registration, athlete check-in, technical briefings, the expo area, official merchandise store, information centre, and finish line are all located less than five minutes’ walk from our hotel in Calella, Hotel Bernat II. The swim start and transition area, where bikes and gear bags are stored, are less than fifteen minutes away on foot.
La Llopa Endurance Hike
On 18 October 2026, a new edition of the La Llopa Endurance Hike will take place.
This mountain event is designed for hikers and long-distance runners, offering two route options:
- Short course: 36 km.
- Long course: 54 km.
Both the start and finish lines will be located on Passeig Manuel Puigvert.
Costa Barcelona-Maresme Half Marathon
The Costa Barcelona-Maresme Half Marathon will take place on 25 October 2026.
Its main attraction is an exceptionally fast and almost completely flat course, widely regarded as one of the quickest half marathon routes in Catalonia. Much of the race runs alongside the Mediterranean coastline and through the main streets of Calella.
The event is officially certified by the Catalan Athletics Federation.
Ultra trail Torres del Foc
Trail running enthusiasts should mark 7 November 2026 in their calendars for the Ultra Trail Torres del Foc.
The race passes through some of the most spectacular landscapes within the Montnegre i el Corredor Natural Park and offers four different distances suitable for a range of experience levels. The race starts at Pati de l’Ós and finishes on Passeig Manuel Puigvert.
Tour of Catalonia
The Tour of Catalonia is one of the world’s 25 most prestigious professional cycling races. For many years, Calella served as the starting point of the opening stage, reinforcing its position as a leading cycling destination in Catalonia. In 2026, the men’s race started in Mataró, just 25 kilometres from Calella. In addition, on 19 June 2026, the Volta a Catalunya Women passed through Calella during the opening stage of the race, bringing the world’s top female cyclists to the town.
Calella: A Leading Sports Tourism Destination
With a packed calendar of international, national, and community sporting events, Calella has become one of the premier sports tourism destinations on the Barcelona Coast.
Whether you come to compete, train, or simply enjoy the atmosphere as a spectator, the town offers a unique combination of sport, sea, nature, and excellent tourism services throughout the year. From our hotel in Calella, Hotel Bernat II, you’ll find everything you need to focus solely on achieving your next sporting challenge.
