THE EUROPEAN ARENA 1000 beach handball tournament returns to La Zenia's Playa de Cala Bosque beach today, marking the first major sporting event of the year in Orihuela Costa.
The Arena 1000 European tour first visited Cala Bosque beach in 2018, and this summer's competition is expected to be as energetic and colourful as ever, with handball courts installed on the beach in the preceding week.
For the second year in a row, the Orihuela Costa has been selected as the venue for the final national championship round of the Arena 1000 handball tournament, the prestigious “Campeonato de España 2023 – Playas de Orihuela”.
La Zenia will host the championship from today, Friday 21st July to Sunday 23rd July 2023, with 151 national handball teams fighting for the coveted winner's title and the cash prize on offer.
Arena 1000 handball tournament, La Zenia beach summer 2023
The Arena 1000 Orihuela Costa tournament will precede the 2023 Spanish Championship, which will take place next weekend at La Térmica Beach in AlmerÃa.
In total, 2,200 athletes are expected to participate in this weekend's event, in both male and female competitions divided into child, cadet, youth and adult categories.
Teams will compete today until 21:30 this evening with a break in play between 14:30 and 16:00.
Saturday's schedule begins at 09:00 with a rest period between 14:30 and 16:00, with the final matches finishing at 21:30. Sunday will see participants compete from 09:00 until 14:30.
All the matches that take place on Saturday and Sunday's centre court will be streamed live on the official YouTube channel of the Royal Spanish Handball Federation.
Major sporting championship on Cala Bosque beach
The prestigious beach handball championship takes place in locations throughout the Iberian peninsular, returning to Cala Bosque in Orihuela Costa year after year.
Thousands of residents and tourists alike are expected to attend the tournament to enjoy the sporting spectacle and to support the native Spanish handball teams. The event is free of charge to attend, and grandstand seating is provided.
The European Arena 1000 tournament is administered by Spain's Real Federación Española de Balonmano, the national association that manages and promotes the sport throughout the country. For more information about the Arena 1000 Orihuela tournament, please visit the official website.
Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.
Photo credit: Arena Handball Tour / Real Federación Española de Balonmano
