Leganés Prepares for the Most Crowded Edition of El Pepinito

Spain's oldest grassroots football tournament, El Pepinito, will hold its 2026 edition with record participation and activities in Leganés.

Generic image of a soccer ball on grass, with a blurred goal in the background.
IA

Generic image of a soccer ball on grass, with a blurred goal in the background.

The El Pepinito de Leganés grassroots football tournament, the oldest in the country, is gearing up for its 2026 edition with a record participation of over 3,000 athletes and numerous activities in Leganés throughout June.

The Westfield Parquesur shopping center and the organization of El Pepinito de Leganés have renewed their collaboration to promote this historic competition. Throughout June, Leganés will become the epicenter of grassroots sports, hosting thousands of children, both boys and girls, and adapted athletes. This year's edition has achieved a record registration, exceeding 150 teams across male, female, and inclusive categories.
As part of this alliance, Westfield Parquesur will once again provide its facilities for the group draw, scheduled for May 31 at 12:00 PM. This event will revive one of the tournament's most emblematic moments: the parade of representatives from the participating teams. The Leganés Civil Protection Group's band will provide musical accompaniment for the event, which will take place around the renovated outdoor lakes of the shopping center.
A new feature of this edition will be the introduction of flag bearers, representing the thousands of athletes. There will be three boys for the male teams, one girl for the female teams, and Juan Antonio San José as the honorary flag bearer, adding a symbolic and participatory character to the event.
The program will also include the traditional charity football match, to be held on May 30 at 11:30 AM. This match will feature former professional players, journalists, institutional representatives, and social figures, with the aim of raising funds for a social entity in Leganés.

"This new edition will create indelible memories and new friendships, while participants will experience the healthy rivalry that has always characterized this tournament since 1982."

José Antonio Gutiérrez · President of El Pepinito
The official presentation of the tournament will take place on April 24 at 12:00 PM at the Hotel Parquesur. Radio Marca journalist, Rafael Sahuquillo, will host the event, which will be attended by the tournament president, members of the Organizing Committee, the mayor of Leganés, Miguel Ángel Recuenco, representatives of the local government and the municipal corporation, as well as the president of the Royal Football Federation of Madrid, Paco Díez. During the presentation, the commemorative jersey for this edition, which will be given to all participants, will be unveiled.