Jesús Tortosa: “Nuestro objetivo es que Alcobendas siga siendo una ciudad donde el deporte se vive y se proyecta al mundo”
Alcobendas, a municipality in the Community of Madrid, is preparing to host the World Climbing Series Comunidad de Madrid 2026 from May 28 to May 31, 2026. The event will take place on the Explanada del polideportivo José Caballero and marks the second time the city has welcomed an international climbing competition of this stature.
According to the city’s official announcement, the 2026 edition follows the IFSC Climbing World Cup Comunidad de Madrid 2025, which was held in July 2025. Organizers have renamed the event to align with the World Climbing Series circuit and this year’s program features two distinct World Cup stops: one of the six global bouldering rounds and one of the seven global speed rounds.
The climbingmadrid.es site notes that more than 300 athletes representing 20 countries are expected to compete over the four‑day schedule. The venue, the open‑area plaza adjacent to the José Caballero Sports Pavilion, will accommodate both disciplines in a single location.
Background and Past Impact
Jesús Tortosa, the Sports Councillor for the Alcobendas City Council, reflected on the legacy of the 2025 competition. He described the outcome as “extraordinariamente positivo” from a sporting perspective, emphasizing that the city proved capable of hosting top‑level international events and strengthened its reputation as a location able to organize large‑scale competitions.
Beyond the sport itself, Tortosa highlighted social and economic benefits. He said the local response had been “excepcional,” fostering a sense of participation, closeness, and collective pride among residents. These observations come from interviews published in El Correo Web and El Periódico on April 26, 2026.
Alcobendas’ Broader Sporting Profile
The councillor placed the climbing event within a wider municipal strategy. Internationally, Alcobendas points to its experience in athletics, combat sports, and multi‑sport tournaments as evidence of its capability to manage elite competitions. Nationally, the city cites a solid standing in sports such as rugby, basketball, handball, skating, roller hockey, volleyball, table tennis, fencing, and football.
This broader background, according to Tortosa, supports the goal of continuing to project Alcobendas onto the world stage through sport.
The Councillor’s Vision
When asked about the city’s ambitions, Jesús Tortosa offered a concise statement that has been quoted in multiple local outlets:
Nuestro objetivo es que Alcobendas siga siendo una ciudad donde el deporte se vive y se proyecta al mundo.
In English, the quote translates to: “Our goal is for Alcobendas to continue being a city where sport is lived and projected to the world.” The remark appears in the El Periódico article dated April 26, 2026, and echoes the sentiments expressed in his earlier interview with El Correo Web.
What the 2026 Event Means for the City
By hosting two World Climbing Series stops in one weekend, Alcobendas will become the first city in the Community of Madrid to accommodate a double‑header of bouldering and speed World Cup rounds. The organizers describe this as a duplication of excitement, aiming to draw both elite athletes and spectators to the José Caballero plaza.
The city’s previous success in 2025 provides a foundation for expectations of smooth logistics, adequate infrastructure, and a welcoming atmosphere for international delegations. Tortosa’s comments suggest that the municipal administration views the event as a platform to showcase Alcobendas’ organizational strengths and to encourage further investment in sports facilities and grassroots programs.
Looking Ahead
The next confirmed step for the World Climbing Series Comunidad de Madrid 2026 is the competition itself, scheduled to run from May 28 through May 31, 2026. After the event, the city will likely assess the outcomes—both sporting and communal—to inform future bids for hosting international competitions.
For now, residents and visitors can anticipate a weekend of high‑intensity climbing, with more than 300 competitors from four continents vying for podium spots in the bouldering and speed disciplines.
Stay Updated
Fans wishing to follow the competition can consult the official World Climbing Series Comunidad de Madrid 2026 website for schedules, start lists, and results as they become available. Local authorities encourage the public to attend the Explanada del polideportivo José Caballero to experience the atmosphere firsthand.
As Alcobendas prepares to welcome the climbing world once again, the message from its Sports Councillor remains clear: the city aims to keep sport at the heart of community life while projecting its capabilities onto the global stage.
