The third edition of ExpoDeca, held around the Plaza de la Música, nearly doubled the attendance of the previous edition in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (24,866 visitors) and significantly surpassed the 17,465 attendees from its 2024 debut. The event has been recognized by national sports entities as a key meeting point, hosting the National Sports Management Congress by FAGDE, a delegation from Sports Summit Madrid, and the Spanish Sport Day promoted by ADESP.
ExpoDeca 2026 also served as a stage for high-level competitions, including the third event of the national hyatlón circuit (800 participants) and the fourth edition of the Gran Canaria Challenge crossfit (500 athletes). Additionally, a sea crossing in Las Canteras beach (187 participants) and paragliding exhibitions from Los Giles were held.
The fair spanned 34,000 square meters, representing 50 sports disciplines and offering 400 free activities. The program included areas at the Espigón Plaza, Parque del Rincón, the Manuel Naranjo Sosa football fields, and the waters of Las Canteras beach, marking the first time sea events were organized.
During the first two days, nearly a hundred educational centers and over 4,500 students participated in educational visits. The Alfredo Kraus Auditorium hosted more than 50 sessions, meetings, and presentations, with over 1,200 attendees. Around a hundred companies and entities showcased their sports-related products and services.
The program extended to the Las Arenas Shopping Center with the exhibition “Legends of Sport,” featuring over 200 items related to sports milestones, alongside displays on traditional Canarian games and sports, and classic rally cars.
Basketball had a significant presence with youth category matches, inclusive teams, a 3×3 tournament, and the SUMA inclusive basketball project by Club Baloncesto Gran Canaria. The first team of Gran Canaria was presented to the public, with club president José Miguel Álamo highlighting institutional collaboration. Player Fran Guerra encouraged young athletes to persevere.
Grassroots volleyball also played a prominent role, reflecting the sport's growth in the Canary Islands, with league matches for U10 and U8 teams. The Canary Islands Tennis Federation organized activities including mini-tennis, beach tennis, wheelchair tennis, and pickleball, featuring an exhibition match with European champions Eva Santana and Néstor Santana.
The Canary Islands Padel Federation hosted a high-level men's tournament, with the final between Rubén García/Omar Vera and Jorge García/Andrés Plaza, the latter winning. Other disciplines like fencing, skateboarding, and rhythmic and sports gymnastics also featured popular exhibitions.
The second final of the Canary Islands Urban Dance Championship brought together top groups and dancers. Championship director Baby Solano emphasized the growth of urban dance in the islands.
The fair also hosted the first ExpoDeca Regatta of Canarian Latin Sailboats, with wins for Felipeva VI and Xilvia. At the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, talks on inclusive sports for the LGTBIQA+ community were held, featuring personal experiences from Alejandra Izquierdo, Adonay Quintana, and Alexia Hi of the Equidades Canarias Association.
Spectacular paragliding exhibitions by the Canary Islands Air Sports Federation took place, with landings at the Espigón area. Federation president Alberto Parra praised the discipline's presence and the venue's suitability for activities.
ExpoDeca 2026 was promoted by the Government of the Canary Islands and organized by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria through Infecar. Sponsors included the Las Arenas Shopping Center, Fundación DISA, Fred. Olsen, and Binter, among others.
