The 2026 Interpueblos tournament in Gipuzkoa will feature a highly anticipated semifinal matchup between Oiartzun and Hernani, the defending champions and runners-up from the previous year’s competition. According to tournament organizers, both teams have been placed in the same bracket half, setting up a potential last-four encounter if they advance through their respective quarterfinal matches.
The Gipuzkoan Pelota Federation (GEPF) announced that the 2026 edition will include 52 participating municipalities, an increase of eight from the 2025 tournament. This growth comes despite the absence of cesta punta competition, which saw only two municipalities register for the discipline.
Hand pelota remains the most popular category, with 24 municipalities registered—three more than in 2025 and six more than initially projected for 2026. A total of 495 pelotaris will compete across all disciplines, representing an increase of 35 athletes compared to the previous year.
Iñaki Lizaso, president of the GEPF, commented on the strong participation: “The registration has been very good and we are pleased with the response from the communities.” His remarks were made prior to the tournament draw, which determined the initial matchups for the competition.
In the hand pelota category, Oiartzun and Hernani are among the seven seeded teams entering the competition at the round of 16 stage. The seeded teams in this category include Azkoitia, Azpeitia, Bergara, Hernani, Oiartzun, Zaldibia, and Zestoa. Usurbil will also enter at this stage after advancing from the preliminary round.
The first round of the hand pelota competition featured the following matchups: Eibar-Andoain, Donostia-Amasa Villabona, Albiztur-Astigarraga, Aduna-Oñati, Aretxabaleta-Alegia, Amezketa-Lazkao, Zizurkil-Aia, and Zegama-Antzuola. These contests determined which teams would join the seeded squads in the round of 16.
Several municipalities made their debut in the 2026 tournament, including Albiztur, Antzuola, Donostia, Lazkao, and Zizurkil. Conversely, Ataun and Beasain did not register for this year’s competition after participating in 2025.
The paleta cuero and pala corta category will feature 10 participating municipalities, four more than in the previous year. New entrants in this discipline are Lazkao, Oiartzun, Olaberria, and Zumaia, joining returning teams from the 2025 edition.
In the quarterfinal stage of the paleta cuero and pala corta competition, Andoain (the defending champion), Errenteria, Donostia, and Deba have been named as seeded teams. Ordizia and Lazkao have secured direct advancement to the quarterfinals through favorable draw outcomes.
The 2026 Interpueblos tournament introduces a new trophy named in honor of Bruno Parcero, marking a change from previous editions. This addition coincides with the tournament’s overall growth in participation across multiple pelota disciplines.
As the competition progresses, the potential semifinal clash between Oiartzun and Hernani represents a significant storyline, given their status as the top two finishers from the 2025 tournament. Their path to a potential meeting will depend on outcomes in the round of 16 and quarterfinal rounds, with both teams aiming to defend or reclaim their respective positions from the previous year.
What are your thoughts on this year’s Interpueblos tournament and the potential Oiartzun-Hernani semifinal matchup? Share your predictions in the comments below.
