Barcelona is preparing to host several international sporting competitions in the coming years. The Councillor for Sport, David Escudé, met this Sunday, 4 July, with the President of the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD) and the Secretary of State for Sport, Víctor Francos, to discuss various key issues, including the organisation of the 2024 America’s Cup and the city’s bids for the 2030 World Cup, and the city’s bids for the 2030 World Cup, the 2029 World Athletics Championships and the 2031 Ryder Cup.

With the America’s Cup 2024 in sight, the two parties have reviewed aspects related to to the preparation of the event, which will have a nominative subsidy of 18 million euros from the CSD to the AC24 Barcelona Nautical Capital Foundation. This is the oldest and most important nautical competition in the world, and the third most important sporting event in terms of economic impact for the host country, behind the Olympic Games and the Football World Cup.

On the other hand, the 2030 Football World Cup has also been discussed, with the hope that Barcelona will be one of the host cities if the project led by Spain, Portugal and Morocco is successful. The Secretary of State for Sport and the Barcelona Sports Councillor stressed the importance of organising these international competitions, which will boost sporting development, Spain’s image and tourism.

As for the “Costa Brava – Barcelona 2031” bid for the Ryder Cup, it was stressed that this team golf tournament attracts considerable media attention and benefits the country in sporting, tourism and economic terms. In fact, the Council of Ministers has recently authorised the President of the CSD to sign the necessary agreements on behalf of the Spanish Government to meet the commitments related to Spain’s designation as host of the 2031 Ryder Cup.

In addition, Víctor Francos said that Barcelona City Council has the support of the Spanish National Sports Council to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships.