Lleida Council Allocates €2M for 2027 Canoe Freestyle Worlds Venues

The Lleida Provincial Council has allocated €2 million to prepare competition venues for the 2027 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships, with €1 million each going to Sort and La Seu d'Urgell.

The funding will support upgrades to facilities and surrounding areas in the two Pyrenean towns, which have a strong history in whitewater paddling. Officials announced the commitment during a meeting on Thursday at the CAR high-performance centre in Sant Cugat del Vallès, where they helped form the organising committee and executive groups alongside other involved administrations and sports bodies.

Òscar Martínez, the deputy for public health and sports, described the initiative as a strategic territorial investment. He emphasised that the council views it as more than a one-off event, aiming to create lasting infrastructure, boost ongoing sports activity, and enhance international visibility. "We're ensuring the facilities are ready for the future and continue to generate opportunities," Martínez said.

Josep Ramon Fondevila, another deputy, highlighted the benefits for the Pallars Sobirà region, particularly Sort. He noted that hosting a competition of this scale would put the area on the global whitewater sports map, driving local economic growth, tourism, and territorial promotion.

The championships, set for 2027, will feature events across the two venues with coordinated backing from governments, federations, and sports organisations. Both locations have long been associated with canoeing and water sports.