Canary Islands refuse to host 2026 Vuelta a Espana amid ongoing controversy surrounding former Israel - Premier Tech

The Canary Islands have withdrawn their interest in hosting the 2026 Vuelta a Espana, citing political concerns linked to the continued presence of the former Israel - Premier Tech team in the professional peloton. Officials in Gran Canaria argue that the squad’s planned name change and shift in registered nationality for next season do not amount to a meaningful transformation.

Their stance contrasts with that of other regions — including Catalonia, which has accepted a Tour de France start following confirmation of the team’s rebranding — and has reignited debate over the place of the Israel structure in major cycling events.

Gran Canaria’s authorities point to the turbulence seen during the 2025 Vuelta, where several stages were disrupted by protests and the race ultimately ended with an improvised podium ceremony in an underground garage in Madrid. They maintain that a cosmetic administrative change is unlikely to prevent similar situations, and that aligning the island’s image with a potentially volatile edition of the race would be unwise.

The council also stresses that money was not the sticking point. Gran Canaria insists it had the organisational capacity and financial resources to host the race, as it has in previous years. The decision, they say, is based solely on avoiding reputational risk should new protests or disruptions arise.

Tenerife, meanwhile, has expressed disappointment at the collapse of a joint bid involving the Canary Islands government and the councils of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria’s withdrawal made the project unviable, leading to disagreements between institutions that had been hoping to bring the Spanish Grand Tour back to the archipelago.

There were numerous incidents involving the formerly named Israel - Premier Tech team during the 2025 edition, including the cancellation of Stage 21 in Madrid amid large-scale protests.

Speaking to La Provincia, Aridany Romero commented: “Several months ago, both the president — Antonio Morales — and I made clear that Gran Canaria did not want its name associated with the Vuelta a Espana while Israel-Premier Tech were competing.” On the team’s proposed changes, he added: “It is an attempt to whitewash, through sport, the genocidal actions of the state of Israel.” He continued: “They put ‘Israel’ on the jersey, and now, after everything that has happened these months, they have simply reverted to their previous position,” concluding: “At heart, nothing has changed.”

From Tenerife, Lope Afonso cautioned that “the latest developments do not bring good prospects” and said “the original plan falls apart” following Gran Canaria’s decision to step aside.