Gran Canaria brings together the best promising players in world football

 

The 28th LALIGA FC FUTURES International Tournament , the world's most important Under-13 football competition, has once again chosen Gran Canaria as its host city during the Christmas holidays. The tournament will take place from December 27th to 29th at the Maspalomas Sports Complex , taking a significant leap forward this year by becoming a global competition and increasing the number of participating clubs from 14 to 16.

 

Today it was officially presented with the presence of Carlos Álamo , Tourism Councillor of the Gran Canaria Island Council, José Ramón de La Morena , President of the Foundation that bears his name, the Director of Corporate Brand Activation of LALIGA Cristina Sánchez, Ramón Suárez , Councillor of Sports of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council and the promoter of the LALIGA FC FUTURES 2024 International Tournament, Domingo Espino.

 

Carlos Álamo emphasized that this tournament, “a benchmark for its sporting and media value, has become firmly established in Gran Canaria,” attracting “a potential clientele that Gran Canaria Tourism has identified as perfect for our destination.” The councilor pointed out that the island, thanks to its climate and infrastructure, “is an ideal destination for sports and for hosting internationally renowned events such as the 2030 World Championships,” and hinted at the possibility of a world championship for youth categories, organized by José Ramón de la Morena.

 

 

De la Morena, for his part, announced the presence at this year's tournament of personalities such as Luis de la Fuente and Vicente del Bosque , and of Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea among the refereeing team. "I can't imagine Christmas without this tournament," he confessed, "with the hope that a new Iniesta will emerge." Highlighting Carlos Álamo and Domingo Espino "as the true soul of this tournament," De la Morena concluded by saying he felt proud "of what I've done for football in my country, believing in children and in our youth system."

 

 

Cristina Sánchez stated that “we couldn’t imagine a better place” to host LALIGA FC FUTURES because of “the climate, the infrastructure, and the fans who fill the stands every year.” Sánchez also guaranteed that “the distribution across five continents is proven, and we are proud to say that we are the best tournament in the world in its category and undoubtedly the most watched.”

 

 

Domingo Espino expressed his gratitude for the support and commitment of the Island Council, the City Council, the José Ramón de la Morena Foundation, and LALIGA, “for their enthusiasm, for what it means for the island's image, and for promoting football, children's sports, and cleanliness. I hope it will never cease to be held in Gran Canaria.”

 

 

Ramón Suárez concluded by thanking everyone “for their strong commitment to Maspalomas, for linking sport with tourism to promote our destination. It will be a very special edition with an even more vibrant Maspalomas as it coincides with the weekend.”

 

 

While the tournament traditionally brought together the best European teams, this year it also welcomes American teams for the first time: Peñarol of Uruguay , a club with one of the best youth academies in the Americas, and Inter Miami of the United States , one of the top teams in MLS, the US league where Lionel Messi plays . Competing alongside them in this edition will be FC Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Athletic Club de Bilbao, Valencia CF, Real Betis, Sevilla FC, Girona CF, and UD Las Palmas , as well as the international teams Borussia Dortmund ( Germany), Juventus FC (Italy), Paris Saint-Germain (France), and Inter Milan (Italy). All of them will vie for the title of best international under-13 team.

 

Gran Canaria has once again secured its position as the chosen destination to host this international event, thanks to one of its greatest strengths: its exceptional climate. There is no better place to host this tournament at Christmas. In December, while many places are experiencing cold weather, the island offers warm, sunny weather, ideal for enjoying outdoor sports.

 

Furthermore, Gran Canaria invites you to explore its extraordinary natural heritage and welcoming atmosphere, becoming the perfect setting for young football talents, their teams and families to enjoy together such special dates around a competition, where values ​​and camaraderie prevail. This combination of factors not only enhances the experience of the tournament, but also highlights the island's commitment to sport and the unforgettable experience of its visitors.

 

Gran Canaria is one of the preferred destinations for sporting events, and Maspalomas Costa Canaria is the privileged location for LALIGA FC FUTURES, a top-level sporting event that transforms Maspalomas and Gran Canaria into the epicenter of the best youth football for a few days, where countries from all over the world follow with interest the most promising young footballers of the moment.

 

The opening matches will feature Valencia CF vs. UD Las Palmas and Athletic Club de Bilbao vs. Paris Saint-Germain. These will take place next Friday, December 27th, at 10:00 AM. This marks the start of the group stage, which will conclude on Saturday at noon, and from which the eight best teams will emerge. The quarterfinals and consolation matches will begin at 5:30 PM, while the semifinals will be played on Sunday starting at 10:00 AM. The grand final, where the two best clubs will compete for the title of champion of the LALIGA FC FUTURES 2024 International Tournament , is scheduled for Sunday the 29th at 6:00 PM.

 

The tournament will be broadcast on GOL PLAY, DAZN, MOVISTAR+, streamed on LALIGA TV channels , and also on 80 other channels worldwide, showcasing Gran Canaria as an ideal destination for hosting top-level sporting events outdoors in the heart of winter. This reflects the strong commitment of the Gran Canaria Island Council and its Tourism Department, as well as the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council through its Maspalomas Costa Canaria brand, in bringing this tournament back to the island.

 

The value of the advertising impact for the island of Gran Canaria exceeds 10 million euros, an opportunity that Turismo Gran Canaria , the Island Sports Institute and the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council have taken advantage of to carry out an excellent promotion of Gran Canaria as a tourist destination in the winter dates and to showcase its unique climatic conditions, as a preferred destination for the development of sporting events and for Maspalomas Costa Canaria as a privileged enclave.

 

The LALIGA FC FUTURES International Tournament is an event promoted by the José Ramón de la Morena Foundation and LALIGA since 2014. Every year, LALIGA EA SPORTS teams , along with some of the world's most representative clubs in its international edition, make LALIGA FC FUTURES the perfect showcase for the great promises of world football, also guaranteeing the spectacle of the best youth football competition in the world.

 

Its aim is to promote grassroots football and champion the positive values ​​embodied in the sport. Young players have the opportunity to experience high-level competition against teams from around the world and to enjoy a unique experience focused on teamwork, competitiveness, and fair play. Players of the caliber of Gerard Piqué, Fernando Torres , and Andrés Iniesta took their first steps in this tournament.

 

The XXVIII LALIGA FC FUTURES International Tournament is sponsored by the Gran Canaria Island Council through Gran Canaria Tourism and its Island Sports Institute , the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council and its Maspalomas Costa Canaria brand , and the Government of the Canary Islands through Promotur Turismo Canarias based on the REACT EU Fund and the collaboration of Iberia and Joma.