The World SUP Festival Costa Blanca marks the start of the European SUP League (ESL) 2026 in Alicante, one of the key events on the international SUP calendar.
The European SUP League (ESL) season kicks off with one of its flagship stops: the World SUP Festival Costa Blanca.
For several days, Santa Pola becomes the epicenter of European Stand Up Paddle, bringing together riders from all over the world in a race that combines high-level competition, a unique Mediterranean setting, and a global community gathered in this special coastal location.
Here are 5 things you need to know about the event:
1. More than a race within the European SUP League (ESL)
The World SUP Festival is not just a competition: it is a format that blends racing, community, and SUP culture. Over several days, Santa Pola transforms into a true hub of the sport within the European SUP League (ESL) circuit.
Alongside the official races, there are open activities and on-water experiences that turn the event into a real meeting point between professionals, amateurs, and the local community.
Because more than results, what defines this event is everything happening around the water.
2. A global event with riders from over 20 countries
The World SUP Festival 2026 brings together athletes from more than 20 countries, establishing itself as one of the most international events in the global SUP scene and beyond.
This diversity creates completely open races: different technical styles, varied strategies, and a very high level from the very first moment.
Each race and category becomes a clash of SUP schools from all over the world, making this ESL stop one of the most unpredictable and exciting on the calendar.
3. €17,000 in prize money and high-level racing from the start of the European SUP League
With €17,000 in prize money, the event attracts some of the best riders in Europe and internationally. There is no warm-up phase. From the first start, the level is high, intensity is maximum, and every position matters for the circuit rankings.
This makes the World SUP Festival the first real benchmark of the year within the ESL.
4. The Tabarca Island races: one of the most iconic races in the world
One of the most special moments of the event is the racing that connects Tabarca Island with Santa Pola.
Tabarca, the first marine reserve in Spain, offers a unique Mediterranean environment: open water, protected landscapes, and a course that combines strategy, endurance, and ocean reading.
5. Pure Mediterranean within the ESL circuit
Alicante offers one of the most complete SUP environments in Europe: attractive conditions, mild temperatures, and a sea that can change throughout the day. But the event is not only about sport. Local gastronomy, coastal atmosphere, and Mediterranean lifestyle are part of the full festival experience.
It is an event where performance and off-water experience coexist at the same level.
The World SUP Festival Costa Blanca is established as one of the key season-opening events within the European SUP League (ESL). Not only for its competitive level, but for what it represents: community, environment, and a way of experiencing SUP that keeps growing year after year.
At Up Suping, we’ll continue following every stop of this European SUP circuit, bringing each event beyond the result itself.