The organization of ExpoDeca 2026, taking place from November 12 to 15 at the Plaza de la Música in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, has prepared a program featuring free pickleball practice sessions with instructors, exhibitions, express tournaments, and the men's and women's finals of the Canary Islands Championship for this sport. Pickleball, which debuted in the islands in 2024, has seen significant growth and has become one of the most popular sports.
These activities will be complemented by a broad sports program, including top-level exhibitions and competitions. The fair will host brands, companies, public and academic institutions, federations, clubs, experts, and athletes. Exhibitors will showcase products and services related to physical activity, while industry professionals will share knowledge and discuss innovations and research.
Pickleball, originating in the 1960s, has recently gained immense popularity due to its dynamic and accessible gameplay. It is played with paddles and a perforated plastic ball on courts similar in size to badminton courts. The ease of setting up playing spaces has contributed to its global expansion, particularly in the United States, and the Canary Islands have not been immune to this trend.
ExpoDeca has played a significant role in introducing pickleball to the archipelago. The Canary Islands Tennis Federation presented the sport during the 2024 edition at Infecar, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, offering open practice sessions. At ExpoDeca 2025, held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the finals of the Canary Islands Championship were included, solidifying the fair as a key meeting point for players.
Currently, pickleball has nearly a thousand federated licenses in the Canary Islands, with athletes participating in tournaments such as the Gran Canaria Open. The sport is accessible to people of various ages and physical conditions, featuring a strong social component. In 2026, ExpoDeca will once again offer open practice sessions, challenges, express tournaments, and the championship finals.
The fair will also introduce hyatlon, a discipline combining running with high-intensity functional training stations, and will host an emerging national circuit. Entry to ExpoDeca is free, and the event attracted approximately 25,000 people in its last edition. The event aims to promote sports practice, physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and responsible sportsmanship.
Educational centers can request visits to the venue on Thursday, November 12, and Friday, November 13. ExpoDeca 2026 will also focus on sustainability, aligning with the 2030 Agenda and the Canary Strategy for Sustainable Development, prioritizing responsible consumption, waste reduction, and sustainable mobility.
ExpoDeca has collaborated on events such as the 50th anniversary of the Rally Islas Canarias and the Gran Canaria Surf No Limit Fundación DISA, and participated in the Sports Summit Madrid to promote the fair.
