The inaugural Cambrils Pétanque Passion has brought together 154 players at Parc del Pescador, showcasing the sport and promoting tourism in the area. Running from 18 to 24 October, the international competition features participants from France, Switzerland, Catalonia, other parts of Spain, and Morocco.
Organised by Team Challenge Pétanque Passion in collaboration with the Cambrils Town Hall, the Municipal Tourism Board, and local hotels Sol Port Cambrils and Port Eugeni, the event aims to enhance Cambrils' profile as a tourist destination during the autumn months.
France has the largest representation, with players from thirteen departments and seven regions, highlighting the event's international appeal and its potential to strengthen Cambrils' position in key European tourism markets.
The competition runs from 19 to 23 October, featuring a total of 415 matches across men's, women's, and mixed teams. The awards ceremony will take place on the afternoon of 23 October, with participants departing the following day.
Patricia de Miguel, the Councillor for Tourism and Economic Promotion, stated that the event encapsulates what the municipality needs to continue growing as a quality tourist destination. She explained, “This competition helps to de-seasonalise tourism, generates hotel occupancy in October, and attracts visitors willing to travel outside the peak summer months.”
De Miguel also emphasised the international dimension of the championship and its impact on priority markets for Cambrils, noting that “France is one of our strategic tourism markets. The presence of French and Swiss participants allows us to enhance the international profile of the municipality and showcase our tourist, gastronomic, and commercial offerings.”
The championship aligns with Cambrils' three main tourism strategies: family, gastronomic, and sports tourism. De Miguel remarked that “it is a sporting activity that integrates perfectly into our tourism model and, thanks to its location at Parc del Pescador, does not strain municipal sports facilities.”
Mickael Boreau, responsible for Challenge Pétanque Passion, explained that the initiative aims to popularise pétanque beyond France and connect the competition with tourism, gastronomy, and the local culture. The organisation has prioritised fostering camaraderie and exchange among participants, while keeping Parc del Pescador open to the public to share the event's atmosphere with the local community.
The accommodation of participants at Sol Port Cambrils and Port Eugeni hotels further enhances the direct impact of the competition on the municipality's tourism and economy. The collaboration between the organisers, the hotel sector, the Town Hall, and the Tourism Board has been crucial for the success of this first edition.
Cambrils Pétanque Passion aims to establish itself in the city's sports and tourism calendar, positioning Cambrils as an international reference point for pétanque enthusiasts. The organisers have already expressed their intention to hold two editions in 2027, one in May and another in the same October dates.
