Tenerife to Host PWA/IWT Windsurfing World Championships in 2026
Tenerife will host the PWA/IWT Wind & Waves Festival at El Médano’s El Cabezo beach from July 31 to August 9, 2026, as part of a strategic initiative to promote the island as a premier global destination for elite sports tourism.
Tenerife is cementing its status as a premier destination for elite sports tourism with the return of the Wind & Waves Festival. Organizers have announced that the event will take place at El Cabezo beach in El Médano from July 31 to August 9, 2026. For the third year in a row, Granadilla de Abona will host the PWA/IWT World Championships for Open, Junior, and Masters categories, featuring both men’s and women’s competitions.
The event’s official presentation at the Hotel Playa Surf highlighted its strategic importance to the local economy. Key figures in attendance included Lope Afonso, Vice President and Councilor for Tourism of the Tenerife Island Council; Dimple Melwani, CEO of Tenerife Tourism; Granadilla de Abona Mayor José Domingo Regalado; Councilor Eudita Mendoza; and festival director Daniel Bruch.
Hosting this competition is part of a broader strategy to diversify Tenerife’s tourism model. By attracting the world’s top windsurfers, the island strengthens its international brand and provides a significant boost to local businesses in Granadilla de Abona. The festival aims to appeal to both sports enthusiasts and families by offering a mix of food stalls, shopping areas, children’s activities, and live music.
The decision to return to Tenerife highlights the island’s ideal wind and weather conditions, which are perfect for high-level water sports. Local officials view the championship as a vital tool in positioning Tenerife as a leader in active tourism—a resilient sector that helps balance visitor numbers throughout the year, moving beyond traditional mass tourism.