Antoniutti park will host the final of the xi championship of Euskal Herria de bote luzea on Saturday, 31 October. Organised by the Basque Pelota Federation of Euskadi in collaboration with the Pamplona City Council, this event offers a unique opportunity to witness a lesser-known sport in the city.
The day will begin at 11.30 am with a women's exhibition match featuring teams from Bera and Etxalar, followed by the final match. Entry is free for anyone wishing to attend at Antoniutti park.
Bote luzea is one of the traditional forms of direct play in Basque pelota, considered the oldest variant of the sport. Two teams of five players face each other without a fronton, in open spaces, using a rectangular court and striking the ball with their hands. This popular sport is still actively maintained by clubs in Navarra, the Basque Country, and Iparralde.
The championship has taken place over September and October, featuring eight teams divided into two groups of four. Three rounds of competition determined the top two teams from each group to advance to the semi-finals. Following the semi-finals held on 6 and 8 October, the grand final will see Bizkaia 1 (ROWK) face Gipuzkoa 2 in Pamplona.
The Pamplona City Council is supporting the organisation of this final with a sponsorship of €2,000. This initiative is part of Pamplona's efforts as a World Capital of Pelota, aimed at promoting the sport's historical, social, and tourism potential in the city, particularly highlighting lesser-known variants like bote luzea.
