The city of Torrevieja will host the inaugural World Medical Football Championship (WMFC) from 25 September to 2 October 2027, marking the first time this international event will take place in Spain. The announcement was made by Diana Box, the city’s Sports Councillor, and Rosa Cañón, the Public Health Councillor, alongside psychiatrist and Organising Committee President, Jesús Enrique Mesones.
The championship will feature 60 teams from 40 countries, all composed exclusively of medical professionals from various specialisations. Four tournaments will run concurrently at the city’s sports facilities, continuing Torrevieja's experience in this field after successfully hosting the Spanish Medical Football Championship in 2025.
A new international event in the sports city
Diana Box emphasised the opportunity this championship presents to showcase Torrevieja’s sports facilities and organisational capacity for international competitions. She stated, “After the experience of the 2025 Spanish Championship, we approach this new event with enthusiasm and a commitment to provide participants with the best conditions to compete and enjoy our city.”
Box further noted that the presence of teams from 40 countries would promote Torrevieja as a sports destination and stimulate local tourism, culture, and gastronomy. “We want the doctors and their companions to experience our offerings and leave with a greater awareness of our city,” she added.
Institutional support and collaboration
The municipal government will facilitate the use of the Sports City for matches and the International Auditorium for the scientific programme, as well as provide necessary refereeing for the competition. Jesús Enrique Mesones highlighted the significance of this institutional collaboration for both the sporting organisation and the accompanying scientific activities. He remarked, “Torrevieja has everything we were looking for: top-level facilities, the capacity to host thousands of visitors, and a city that embraced the project from day one.” He stressed that without the support of the Torrevieja City Council, the championship would not be feasible.
Sport, health, and knowledge exchange
Alongside the competition, the International Auditorium will host the International Medical Symposium, featuring thematic sessions dedicated to various medical disciplines with renowned professionals from both national and international backgrounds. Rosa Cañón pointed out that “this championship brings together two closely related fields: sport and health. In addition to the competition, Torrevieja will provide a meeting space for professionals from different countries to share knowledge and experiences, adding significant value to the World Cup.”
Cañón also noted the importance of promoting sports as part of a healthy lifestyle through such events.
International projection and local economic activity
The organisers anticipate that the championship will attract over 1,500 medical professionals and their companions during the week, generating activity in accommodations, restaurants, shops, transport, and leisure services. Economic impact estimates range between €1.5 million and €2 million. The international promotion of the venue began during the 2025 Medical Football World Cup held in Ireland and will continue next December in Costa Rica, where the championship will be presented to medical delegations from various countries.
