Pilar de la Horadada receives the distinction as European Town of Sport 2026 at the EU Parliament

The Pilar de la Horadada Town Council says it has had a “historic” moment: the European Parliament gave it the title of European Town of Sport 2026, which was given by ACES Europe. This worldwide honour, which is shared with communities in more than 15 nations, shows that the town is still committed to health, nature, and tourism through sports: According to a statement from the Town Council on Thursday, 71% of people in Pilar de la Horadada routinely play sports at municipal facilities.

A worldwide award

There were around 500 people at the ACES Europe gala, including people from more than 70 nations. Mayor José María Pérez, along with the Sports Councillor José Antonio Martínez and the Technical Director of the Sports Department Pedro Quesada, accepted the award on behalf of all the people of Pilar de la Horadada at this ceremony.

Culture, health, nature, tourism, and sports

Pilar de la Horadada won this prize not only for its large selection of athletic activities and high-quality facilities but also for its ability to combine sports, nature, and culture “in an unmatched environment”.

The City Council says that the facilities are “top-notch.” They include two football pitches, an indoor multi-sports court, another outdoor multi-sports court, an indoor pavilion with stands, an athletics track, six multi-purpose rooms, an outdoor leisure pool, a climbing wall, an advanced climbing room, a heated pool with a telescopic roof, offices and meeting rooms, five hard tennis courts, two clay courts, a taekwondo room, a youth hostel, six padel courts, a fronton court, and soon a new multi-sports court with a 3×3 basketball court, a 3×3 volleyball court, and a psychomotor park.

For all

The Councillor for Sports, José Antonio Martínez, says, “We offer 50% discounts on registration fees for sports schools for students from officially recognised large and single-parent families and 50% reductions in sports fees for people with a disability of 65% or more, and we subsidise physical activity for up to nine months for users prescribed within the ‘En moviment’ programme of Primary Care of the Valencian Health System.”

Martínez goes on to say, “We are also working with the Tourism Department to make Pilar de la Horadada a top destination for outdoor sports.” We are members of the Network of Smart Tourist Destinations of the Valencian Community so that we can add new ideas and environmentally friendly practices to our tourism services.

A group that doesn’t make money

Brussels is home to ACES Europe, a non-profit group that has been around since 1999. Since 2001, it has given out the European Capital of Sport award, which is its most well-known and popular accolade, as well as the European City, European Community, and European Town of Sport awards. To get this honour, cities and towns have to pay a registration fee, pay for the travel, lodging, and meals of the evaluation committee that visits the sites, and pay for the right to use the name. The European Parliament lets the Association use its buildings for these events, although it is not part of the European Commission.

Distinction that is shared with European towns

Pilar de la Horadada is one of 14 European places named European places of Sport 2026. Six of these towns are in Spain: Atarfe, Jaraíz de la Vera, Las Gabias, Manzanares, Villadiego, and Villanueva de la Torre.

Along with other towns and areas in Europe and America, the ceremony named Naples (Italy) the European Capital of Sport 2026 and Guayaquil (Ecuador) the American Capital of Sport 2026.

Independence for forty years

For the municipal government, the title of European Town of Sport 2026 is “an incentive to keep growing.” Pilar de la Horadada will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its split from Orihuela next year, and sports will be a big part of the celebration. The programme will feature sports events with all clubs taking part, as well as competitions that will put the municipality at the top of the list for inclusion, sustainability, and quality of life through sports.