La Concha Regatta 2026 is set for two Sundays of top-level rowing in San Sebastián. Following the qualifying races on 2 and 3 September, sixteen crews will compete in the bay on 6 and 13 September. Zierbena topped the men’s qualifier, San Juan set the pace in the women’s event, and Zarautz claimed the final place with one of the week’s standout performances.
La Concha Regatta 2026 dates and race times
- Sunday 6 September: opening leg. Women’s race at 11:00 and men’s race at 12:00.
- Sunday 13 September: deciding leg. Women’s race at 11:00 and men’s race at 12:00.
The winner in each category is decided by the combined time over both Sundays. That makes consistency vital: a slow turn, an untidy start or a handful of seconds lost in the swell can reshape the final standings.
La Concha Regatta 2026 results
This section will carry the official times from each race day and the running overall standings. Figures will be added as soon as they are released by the organisers, with no estimates or unconfirmed results.
First leg: 6 September
| Competition | First-leg result | Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Women | Awaiting official times | To be decided |
| Men | Awaiting official times | To be decided |
Final standings: 13 September
The final classification will appear after the second leg, when the times from both Sundays are combined. Until then, the 2026 winners remain to be decided.
Qualified crews for La Concha 2026
Men’s competition
Twenty-four boats contested the men’s qualifier for seven available places. Zierbena led the field in 20:11.08, ahead of Orio in 20:13.70 and Hondarribia in 20:15.36. Ondarroa took the final qualifying spot with 20:28.62. The seven qualifiers join Donostiarra, which enters automatically as the host-city crew.
- Zierbena
- Orio
- Hondarribia
- Bermeo
- Getaria
- Lekittarra
- Ondarroa
- Donostiarra, automatic host entry
Women’s competition
San Juan won the women’s qualifier in 10:57.06. Zarautz secured the seventh and last ticket in 11:06.66, earning a place in a particularly competitive line-up. The qualified crews join defending host representative Arraun Lagunak.
- San Juan
- Astillero
- Tolosaldea
- Orio
- Hibaika
- Donostiarra
- Zarautz
- Arraun Lagunak, automatic host entry
First-Sunday draw: lanes and heats
| Category | Heat 1 | Heat 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Women | Tolosaldea, Hibaika, Donostiarra, Zarautz | Astillero, Arraun Lagunak, San Juan, Orio |
| Men | Donostiarra, Getaria, Orio, Ondarroa | Hondarribia, Lekittarra, Zierbena, Bermeo |
The draw promises an immediate test. In the men’s event, qualifier winner Zierbena lines up with Hondarribia, Bermeo and Lekittarra in the second heat. Orio and host crew Donostiarra meet in the first. The women’s second heat brings together San Juan, Orio and Arraun Lagunak, while Zarautz begins its La Concha campaign in the opening group.
Who are the favourites?
Qualifying results make Zierbena a clear men’s contender, but Orio arrives as the 2025 winner and knows how to manage the two-leg format. Hondarribia and Bermeo also have the speed to stay in contention if conditions become difficult. In the women’s race, San Juan’s qualifying time carries real weight, while Orio, Arraun Lagunak and Tolosaldea all have the experience to challenge over two Sundays.
La Concha is rarely decided by reputation alone. Tides, wind, lane conditions and the run towards the turning buoy can create meaningful time gaps. The fastest crew on paper still has to deliver two controlled performances.
Tickets for the 2026 La Concha Regatta
- General admission: €4.50.
- Grandstand: €10.
- Reduced general ticket: €2.20 at physical ticket offices for eligible visitors.
- Children: under-12s enter general areas free; under-6s can enter the grandstand free without an assigned seat.
Demand is usually strongest close to race day, especially for the grandstand. Buying early is advisable if you want a reserved viewing area.
Where to watch in San Sebastián
The promenade and beaches around La Concha provide the classic race-day atmosphere, although the busiest areas fill early. Monte Urgull, Paseo Nuevo and higher viewpoints around the bay can offer a broader view of the course. Arrive well ahead of the women’s start, expect traffic restrictions near the seafront and use public transport where possible.
For visitors unfamiliar with traineras, the build-up is part of the experience: supporters gather in club colours, crews launch from the harbour and the city turns its attention to the water. The event is both an elite sporting contest and one of San Sebastián’s most distinctive September traditions.
How La Concha works
The men’s and women’s flags are decided over two timed legs, one on each Sunday. Crews race in heats, but the overall classification is based on cumulative time rather than finishing position within an individual heat. Every second therefore carries over to the final day.
The regatta dates back to 1879 and remains one of the most prestigious events in Cantabrian traditional rowing. Its combination of sporting intensity, unpredictable sea conditions and a spectacular natural amphitheatre explains why La Concha attracts large crowds year after year.
From fishing boats to San Sebastián’s great rowing tradition
La Concha’s roots lie in the working life of the Basque coast. Crews once rowed out to sea in traineras to fish and raced back to harbour so their catch could reach the auction first. San Sebastián staged its first organised regatta in the bay in 1879; the contest grew into the showpiece of fixed-seat rowing. A women’s flag was introduced in 2008 and now shares the same arena and two-leg format.
Recent La Concha winners
| Year | Men’s flag | Women’s flag |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Bermeo Urdaibai | Arraun Lagunak |
| 2024 | Bermeo Urdaibai | Arraun Lagunak |
| 2025 | Orio | Arraun Lagunak |
| 2026 | To be decided | To be decided |
Orio, the 2025 men’s champion, remains the most successful club in the event’s history. In the women’s competition, Arraun Lagunak enters 2026 after winning three consecutive flags from 2023 to 2025.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 La Concha Regatta?
The two race days are Sunday 6 and Sunday 13 September 2026.
What time do the races start?
The women’s race starts at 11:00 and the men’s race at 12:00 on both Sundays.
Which crews qualified?
Zierbena, Orio, Hondarribia, Bermeo, Getaria, Lekittarra and Ondarroa qualified in the men’s event. San Juan, Astillero, Tolosaldea, Orio, Hibaika, Donostiarra and Zarautz qualified in the women’s event. Donostiarra and Arraun Lagunak hold the respective host-city places.
Where can I find official information?
Schedules, ticket details and official notices are published by Donostia Kultura.
