The first official assessment of the celebration of the Copa del Rey that was held in Badalona between February 16 and 19, in the absence of knowing the audit on the economic impact of the event in the city, has been enthusiastically received by the Badalona City Council, to the point that the mayor, Rubén Guijarro, has applied to host the tournament in 2026 or 2027 once, according to him, it has been shown that the organization of this edition has allowed the celebration of "the best cup in the history".
The commissioner of the Association of Basketball Clubs (ACB), Joaquim Padrós, has provided the first data, highlighting the record attendance at the Mini Cup final with 8,630 people and an average of 1,200 people in each game in the Llefià pavilion, as well as as full capacity in all matches at the Palau Olímpic. In the same balance, he considered the success of the four Fan Zones spread throughout the city, which welcomed 88,000 people -60,000 in the Gorg space in front of the Olímpic- and another 10,000 in one of the novelties, such as the first edition of the Nit de the cup.
For the president of Joventut de Badalona, Juanan Morales, the Copa del Rey has meant "the consolidation of the relationship between the city and the local team" as could be seen in all the events, especially the matches in which 11,000 people filled the stands of the Olympic Pavilion and which, as he admitted, "gave me goosebumps" when I observed the large number of La Penya shirts and scarves throughout the city. A fact that, according to the green and black president, consolidates Badalona as "the city of basketball" with facilities at the level of the best sporting events. Morales also recognized an increase in the sale of tickets for league matches and season tickets "of the highest in the last decade" which shows that "people trust the club once again."
"We can compete in the league of big cities and big events" declared an exultant Rubén Guijarro during the press conference. "This does not have to stop" he insisted, aware that the city's values have contributed to his projection during a tournament that has also served to "recover the pride of being from Badalona" and that has given him "a shot of energy". The mayor announced that before the ACB he has already shown interest in "Badalona entering the regular circuit of cities organizing the Copa del Rey" without having to wait "another 39 years." At the moment, he has already offered the city to hold the event on 2026 or 2027.
From Badalona they are aware that "this does not end here" and they are willing for the sport of the basket to be one of the main promoters of the image of the city. To do this, Guijarro announced that they will also ask the organization of the Final Four of the Women's Challenge League, in which, according to the latest results, the Joventut de Badalona women's team could have many possibilities.
Guijarro also committed an investment effort from the City Council so that this movement generated around the Copa del Rey de Baloncesto can be perpetuated in the city. He assured that the remodeling projects of the six sports halls and outdoor courts will be maintained and that there will be an increase in resources for entities that promote social integration through the sport of basket. The mayor hopes that the first results are in line with the economic balance that will be released as soon as it is completed by an external auditor.
During the tournament, more than 200 shops and restaurants decorated their establishments with basketball items to join in the celebration. On the other hand, the data obtained from the three information points distributed throughout the city and one at the Barcelona airport, provide statistical data that shows that the age group of those attending the Cup, 49% was 20 and 30 years; 28% between 30 and 40 years old and 12% from the public between 14 and 20 years old. Data is also provided on the origin of the fans: 28% were from the Basque Country, 21% from Andalusia and 14% from the Canary Islands. Regarding team preference, 35% of the fans were from Baskonia and 21% from Unicaja de Málaga.
Without having an economic quantification of the spending of the fans who attended the Copa del Rey in Badalona, the information points have provided data on their stay and consumption habits during the tournament. Thus, 40% of visitors stayed in establishments in the city. 92.3% consumed in local catering establishments during the days of the Cup and 84.6% took the opportunity to go sightseeing. Regarding the stay, the majority, 50% were in Badalona for five days and 30.8% four days.
