The controversy surrounding the wristbands distributed for the Tres Cantos 2026 Main Festivities continues to grow. The Tres Cantos Neighborhood Association has publicly expressed its disagreement with the City Council's initiative, which aims to prioritize access to a specific area of the Fairgrounds through a system of credentials given to a portion of the population.
The council proposed this measure to grant priority access to Tres Cantos residents for the concerts scheduled on Friday and Saturday. However, the Neighborhood Association believes the initiative has caused discontent among a significant segment of the citizenry due to the limited number of wristbands distributed.
The neighborhood organization points out that 14,000 wristbands have been distributed for a population of approximately 60,000 inhabitants, a figure that, in their view, excludes most residents from the reserved area. The vice president of the Neighborhood Association, Esther García, states that the controversy is not about prioritizing residents but about the measure's scope, estimating that about 76% of the population would be excluded. The entity has labeled the decision as "unjust, arbitrary, and discriminatory," arguing it creates divisions among residents registered in the municipality.
Another point criticized by the association is the lack of a prior consultation process with social groups, associations, sports clubs, and neighborhood representatives. According to the organization, the decision was communicated without room for proposals, alternatives, or concerns regarding the festivities' organization. The Neighborhood Association notes its participation in a meeting on June 15th, convened by the Culture Department, where complaints were noted but no immediate corrective measures were defined.
The entity has also requested information on security aspects of the designated area, including evacuation protocols, incident management, and measures against unauthorized access. Furthermore, the association warns of potential resale attempts of wristbands online. The Neighborhood Association highlights that the affected area includes stalls managed by youth groups and sports clubs that rely on these festivities for income to fund their year-round activities. Esther García mentions that some entities had made investments before learning about the new access conditions, expressing uncertainty about the economic consequences.
In light of this situation, the Neighborhood Association urges the City Council to reconsider the wristband system before the celebrations begin and to open consultation processes with social stakeholders in future editions. They propose that any reserved or preferential access area should primarily be for individuals with reduced mobility or special needs. The organization concludes by calling for greater participation of local associations in municipal planning and in the events organized for Tres Cantos' 35th anniversary.
