Canary Islands Sports Congress to Focus on Digital Transformation

Digital technology is now the backbone of the sports industry in the Canary Islands. The Canary Islands Association of Sports Management (Acagede) has announced that its ninth annual congress will take place at the Hotel Escuela Santa Cruz on October 1st and 2nd. This year, the event will focus on how technology can be integrated into the planning and delivery of sports services.

Supported by the Cabildo of Tenerife, the Government of the Canary Islands, and the Santa Cruz City Council, the congress comes at a time of significant change. Recent data shows that the use of digital devices during exercise has grown by more than 30% over the last six years, with nearly 60% of active residents now using them. With smartphones and fitness trackers becoming the norm, public and private sports managers must now adapt their business and customer service models.

The forum aims to bring together researchers, technicians, and government officials to help professionalize the sector and increase its competitiveness. Acagede president Noemí Rodríguez emphasized that the event will focus on practical workshops and tools that can be applied to daily management, rather than just theory.

For the participating government representatives—Yolanda Moliné, Ángel Sabroso, and Alicia Cebrián—the congress is more than just a training session. It serves as an innovation hub designed to establish the Canary Islands as a national leader in sports infrastructure and policy management. Embracing technology is seen as a strategic move to meet user demands, optimize resources, and create new economic opportunities across the islands.

Registration is now open through official channels. By hosting this event, Acagede—a member of the Spanish Federation of Sports Management Associations (FAGDE)—aims to build a collaborative network that will help the Canarian sports sector confidently navigate the digital age.