Orio Orialki and Donostia Arraun Lagunak are the 2026 La Concha champions. Orio controlled the decisive men’s race in 19:35.96 and sealed the flag with a combined 39:27.56. In the women’s event, Arraun Lagunak won again in 10:31.32 and claimed a fifth flag — their fourth in a row — with an overall time of 21:21.00.
Orio and Arraun Lagunak win the 2026 La Concha flags
Orio Orialki began the final Sunday with a lead of just 3.10 seconds, yet raced to win rather than protect it. Their 19:35.96 was the fastest men’s time of the day and carried the yellow crew to an overall 39:27.56. Donostiarra finished second on aggregate, with Zierbena third.
The women’s race belonged to Donostia Arraun Lagunak. A second-leg win in 10:31.32 completed an assured two-Sunday performance and produced a combined 21:21.00. San Juan took second place and Tolosaldea third. It is Arraun Lagunak’s fifth women’s flag and a fourth consecutive La Concha title.
Final 2026 La Concha Regatta standings
Women’s final standings
| Pos. | Crew | Combined time | Behind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arraun Lagunak | 21:21.00 | — |
| 2 | San Juan | 21:42.04 | +21.04 |
| 3 | Tolosaldea | 21:45.54 | +24.54 |
| 4 | Astillero | 21:48.46 | +27.46 |
| 5 | Hibaika | 21:51.70 | +30.70 |
| 6 | Donostiarra | 22:02.20 | +41.20 |
| 7 | Orio | 22:07.74 | +46.74 |
| 8 | Zarautz | 22:09.04 | +48.04 |
Men’s final standings
| Pos. | Crew | Combined time | Behind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orio Orialki | 39:27.56 | — |
| 2 | Donostiarra | 39:44.52 | +16.96 |
| 3 | Zierbena | 39:58.66 | +31.10 |
| 4 | Bermeo | 40:04.16 | +36.60 |
| 5 | Hondarribia | 40:06.84 | +39.28 |
| 6 | Getaria | 40:41.26 | +1:13.70 |
| 7 | Lekittarra | 40:41.32 | +1:13.76 |
| 8 | Ondarroa | 41:03.02 | +1:35.46 |
Figures checked against the official result sheets published by Donostia Kultura.
Second-leg results: 13 September
The deciding races produced the following official times. These are the results from the second Sunday before they were added to the opening-leg figures.
Women’s second leg
| Pos. | Crew | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arraun Lagunak | 10:31.32 |
| 2 | San Juan | 10:41.82 |
| 3 | Tolosaldea | 10:46.68 |
| 4 | Astillero | 10:48.04 |
| 5 | Hibaika | 10:49.70 |
| 6 | Donostiarra | 10:59.26 |
| 7 | Orio | 10:59.60 |
| 8 | Zarautz | 11:01.28 |
Men’s second leg
| Pos. | Crew | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orio Orialki | 19:35.96 |
| 2 | Bermeo | 19:48.54 |
| 3 | Donostiarra | 19:49.82 |
| 4 | Hondarribia | 19:51.90 |
| 5 | Zierbena | 19:55.96 |
| 6 | Getaria | 20:00.28 |
| 7 | Lekittarra | 20:06.40 |
| 8 | Ondarroa | 20:08.98 |
Opening-leg results: 6 September
The first Sunday’s times are retained below as the background to the final standings.
Women’s standings
| Pos. | Crew | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donostia Arraun Lagunak | 10:49.68 | — |
| 2 | Tolosaldea | 10:58.86 | +9.18 |
| 3 | San Juan-CMO Valves | 11:00.22 | +10.54 |
| 4 | Astillero Eneryt Servicios | 11:00.42 | +10.74 |
| 5 | Hibaika | 11:02.00 | +12.32 |
| 6 | Donostiarra | 11:02.94 | +13.26 |
| 7 | Zarautz | 11:07.76 | +18.08 |
| 8 | Orio | 11:08.14 | +18.46 |
Men’s standings
| Pos. | Crew | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orio Orialki | 19:51.60 | — |
| 2 | Naiz Homes Donostiarra | 19:54.70 | +3.10 |
| 3 | Zierbena Bahías de Bizkaia | 20:02.70 | +11.10 |
| 4 | Orsa Hondarribia | 20:14.94 | +23.34 |
| 5 | Bermeo | 20:15.62 | +24.02 |
| 6 | Lekittarra-Elecnor | 20:34.92 | +43.32 |
| 7 | Getaria | 20:40.98 | +49.38 |
| 8 | Ondarroa Kide | 20:54.04 | +1:02.44 |
Official Donostia Kultura results. The men’s classification includes the three-second penalty applied to Bermeo.
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
Where La Concha comes alive 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 | Orio Orialki | Donostia Arraun Lagunak |
Orio retained the men’s flag in 2026 after winning in 2025, extending the most successful record in La Concha history. Arraun Lagunak claimed a fifth women’s victory and completed four consecutive titles from 2023 to 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2026 La Concha Regatta?
Orio Orialki won the men’s flag in 39:27.56, while Donostia Arraun Lagunak took the women’s title in 21:21.00.
What were the winning combined times?
Orio’s combined time was 39:27.56. Arraun Lagunak completed the two women’s races in 21:21.00.
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.
