Reus, Spain, is set to honor its designation as the 2026 Capital of Women’s Basketball with a special exhibition game featuring 25 legendary players from the city’s history. The match, scheduled for March 8th at 11:00 AM local time (10:00 AM UTC) at the Pabellón Olímpico Municipal, coincides with International Women’s Day and aims to celebrate the achievements of women in basketball and inspire future generations.
The game isn’t just a nostalgic look back; it’s a key event within a broader initiative launched by the Catalan Basketball Federation (FCBQ) in 2017. This initiative designates a Catalan city each year as the “Capital of Women’s Basketball,” providing a platform to strengthen the sport’s connection with the local community and promote female participation. Reus follows in the footsteps of Llinars del Vallès, Vic, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Girona, Igualada, Malgrat de Mar and Manresa.
The selection of Reus as the 2026 capital recognizes the city’s strong basketball tradition, its commitment to equal opportunities, and its potential for continued growth in the sport. The FCBQ highlighted Reus’s active sporting community and its high-quality facilities, including the Pabellón Olímpico Municipal and various municipal sports centers, as key factors in their decision. Local clubs like AE Pare Manyanet, Ploms Salle Reus, and Reus Deportiu also play a crucial role in developing and promoting women’s basketball within the city.
The upcoming match will feature players who have competed at the highest levels of Spanish women’s basketball, as well as those who have contributed to the sport’s development at the youth level. The Federación Catalana de Baloncesto will provide officiating support for the game, and local basketball clubs are actively involved in organizing the event. This collaborative effort underscores the city’s unified commitment to celebrating women’s basketball.
Enrique Martín, Reus’s Councilor for Health and Sports, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “This match is much more than a sporting event: it is an act of recognition to all those women who have paved the way for women’s basketball in our city, who have broken barriers and who are a source of inspiration for fresh generations of athletes.”
Perhaps the most welcoming aspect of the event is its accessibility. Admission to the Pabellón Olímpico Municipal will be free, encouraging broad public participation and transforming the day into a true celebration of women’s basketball. This open-door policy aims to make the event inclusive and allow as many people as possible to honor the achievements of these pioneering athletes.
The designation as Capital of Women’s Basketball 2026 will unfold through a comprehensive project structured around four strategic pillars: formative, competitive, promotional, and outreach. The goal is to create a lasting impact on both the sporting community and the wider citizenry. This isn’t simply about one game; it’s about building a sustainable foundation for the future of women’s basketball in Reus.
For those interested in following the developments surrounding Reus’s year as the Capital of Women’s Basketball, the city’s official website (https://www.reus.cat/es/agenda/d%C3%ADa-internacional-de-las-mujeres-0) will provide updates on events and initiatives throughout the year. The FCBQ website (https://www.fcbq.cat/) will also offer information on the broader program and its impact on Catalan basketball.
Looking ahead, the focus will shift to building on the momentum generated by the capital status. The city and the FCBQ will work together to implement programs that foster talent development, increase participation, and promote the visibility of women’s basketball. The March 8th legends game serves as a powerful kickoff to a year-long celebration and a commitment to a brighter future for the sport in Reus.
The next major event connected to the Capital of Women’s Basketball initiative will be the ongoing series of promotional events and training programs planned throughout 2026, details of which will be announced on the city of Reus’s official channels in the coming weeks. Fans and aspiring players are encouraged to stay tuned for further announcements and opportunities to get involved.
Worth a look
