Benalmádena marks 30 years of deep-sea fishing with a major international tournament this weekend

Benalmádena Marina will become one of the Costa del Sol’s main meeting points for sport fishing this weekend. On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026, it will host the 30th International Deep-Sea Fishing Tournament, an event that has now been part of the town’s nautical calendar for three decades.

The competition will follow an Open format and take place over two days, with boats heading out into the Mediterranean in search of qualifying catches.

Alongside the fishing itself, the weekend will also include several social activities around the marina, making it one of Benalmádena’s main nautical events at the end of August.

Two days of fishing from early morning

Boats will begin competing at 8am on both Saturday and Sunday.

The first leg, on Saturday 29, will continue throughout the day, with all participants required to return to Benalmádena Marina before 6pm.

On Sunday 30, boats will again set off at 8am, although the deadline for returning to port will be slightly earlier, at 5pm.

The authorised fishing area will use Benalmádena Marina as its central reference point and will extend up to 25 miles offshore and 50 miles parallel to the coastline.

This gives competitors a wide area in which to search for the species included in the tournament regulations.

Which species can be caught?

The rules include a number of species commonly associated with deep-sea sport fishing.

These include yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna, albacore, little tunny, bonito and mahi-mahi, as well as different species of billfish.

Not every catch will automatically count towards the competition. Minimum weights apply depending on the species, meaning each fish must meet the requirements set out in the regulations before being accepted.

Once the boats return, catches will be weighed on the official scales at the Marina Harbour Master’s Office.

Two ways to win

The tournament will feature two main prize categories.

The first will recognise the largest individual fish, rewarding the boat responsible for the biggest qualifying catch of the weekend.

The second category will be based on total catch weight, with a minimum of two valid fish required.

The top three competitors will receive the traditional gold, silver and bronze hooks, together with trophies and additional prizes provided by supporting organisations.

The tournament will follow the regulations of the Spanish Federation of Fishing and Casting and the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).

The atmosphere begins on Friday

Although the competition officially starts on Saturday morning, the social programme begins on Friday 28 August at 7.30pm.

The Benalmádena Nautical Centre will welcome participants for registration, the distribution of documents and gifts, the skippers’ meeting and a welcome cocktail.

After the first day of competition, a traditional tuna gathering will be held at 9pm on Saturday in the Harbour Master’s courtyard.

The event will conclude on Sunday, also from 9pm, with the official closing ceremony and prize presentation at Hotel Alay.

A nautical tradition celebrating three decades

Reaching its 30th edition makes the tournament one of the longest-running events linked to the sea in Benalmádena.

Throughout the weekend, the movement of boats, their return to the marina and the weighing of catches will bring a different atmosphere to this well-known part of Benalmádena Costa.

Even for those not taking part in the competition, visiting the marina offers the chance to experience the event from the shore and see a form of fishing that takes place far from the coast and requires boats prepared for long hours at sea.

Practical information

Event: 30th International Deep-Sea Fishing Tournament
Location: Benalmádena Marina
Dates: 29 and 30 August 2026
Start time: 8am on both days
Saturday return deadline: before 6pm
Sunday return deadline: before 5pm
Main prizes: largest fish and highest total catch weight
Prize ceremony: Sunday 30 August, from 9pm at Hotel Alay

Full details on timings, eligible species, the fishing area and the complete programme can be found in the official information published by Benalmádena Town Hall.