HISTORY OF THE GAÑAFOTE CUP: A GRASSROOTS SOCCER TOURNAMENT THAT GROWS YEAR AFTER YEAR
The Gañafote Cup has evolved since its first edition in 2017 to become one of the most important grassroots soccer tournaments in Spain. Held in various municipalities of Huelva, this sporting event has attracted renowned teams and young talents from all over the world, consolidating itself as an important tourist engine and a showcase for future soccer stars. In addition, the tournament addresses multiple aspects through educational, business, environmental and social actions:
- Educational: Our mascot, "Brinco", visits schools in the province to raise awareness of the educational, touristic and social importance of the Gañafote Cup, allowing children to meet future top-level players.
- Business: A round table is organized at the University of Huelva (Faculty of Law) to generate synergies between collaborating and influential companies in the world of sports and society.
- Environmental: In collaboration with the Territorial Delegation of Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy, we promote reforestation in natural areas, committing ourselves to planting trees in Huelva.
- Social: Initiatives such as food collection in collaboration with the Huelva Food Bank, inclusive games and the "patio del amor" project at the Juan Ramón Jiménez University Hospital, which creates an educational and leisure patio for children in the hospital.
- Tourism: We promote the image of Huelva with a presence in all tournament venues, collaborating with the local hotel industry, and we have booked more than seven hotels to host the participants. We also promoted the value of our land in the previous stages held on two continents.
Joaquín Rasco, CEO and founder of the company, began his first steps organizing soccer training camps in towns in the province of Huelva. After the great success, he came up with the idea of creating the Gañafote brand, a company specialized in the customization and manufacture of sports products and merchandising items. Currently, Gañafote has an international presence and collaborates with more than 3,500 clubs around the world, regardless of their sporting discipline. With the great importance of being a direct manufacturer, all our products are made in Europe, specifically in Portugal, which guarantees superior quality standards. The Gañafote Cup and the Gañafote brand are closely linked, as the tournament is not only a showcase for youth soccer talent, but also a platform to showcase the innovation and quality of our sports products.
Gañafote Cup 2017: The Birth of a Dream
In 2017, the first edition of the Gañafote Cup was held in Huelva, Palos de la Frontera, San Juan del Puerto and Moguer. For three days, local teams and prominent clubs such as CD Badajoz, Real Murcia, Córdoba CF, AD Alcorcón and Real Betis Balompié participated in a vibrant tournament.
Gañafote Cup 2018: Expansion and Consolidation
In 2018, the Holea shopping center hosted the draw for the second edition. The previous venues were maintained and the categories were expanded to prebenjamín, benjamín and alevín, with 72 teams participating during one week. Atlético de Madrid, Sevilla FC, Málaga FC and other renowned clubs raised the level of the event.
Gañafote Cup 2019: Innovation and Diversity
In 2019, the tournament expanded to six municipalities, including Rociana and La Palma del Condado, and introduced the women's category. More than 90 teams and 1,500 young soccer players participated, turning the Gañafote Cup into a tourism boost for Huelva.
Gañafote Cup 2021: Triumphant Return after the Pandemic
In 2021, the Gañafote Cup returned with more strength after the pandemic, covering six venues and more than 170 matches in five categories: prebenjamín, benjamín, alevín, feminine and infantile. New venues such as Bollullos Par del Condado and Cartaya joined the traditional ones.
Gañafote Cup 2022: A Benchmark Event
In 2022, more than 90 teams played 240 matches during Holy Week in Huelva. Real Valladolid, Málaga CF, FPA Las Rozas and Real Betis were the champions. The Inaugural Gala at the Nuevo Colombino stadium marked the beginning of an event already recognized in Huelva.
Gañafote Cup 2023: An International Tournament
In 2023, Sevilla FC and Real Betis Balompié won in three categories. Teams such as Real Madrid, Brugge, Manchester City, Roma and others participated, attracting 20,000 people and 3,000 players from 13 countries and 3 continents. David Villa sponsored the tournament.
Gañafote Cup 2024: An International and Double Edition
In 2024, the VII edition of the tournament was played in two modalities: 'Gañafote Cup K7DS' from March 22 to 24 and 'Gañafote Cup JUN11OR' from June 21 to 23. This year, the preliminary phases were played at international level in Funes (Argentina) and Dubai. The finals were held in municipalities of the Coast, Sierra, Huelva, Condado, Andévalo and Cuenca Minera, with the capital of Huelva as the epicenter of the tournament. In the K7DS edition, AC Milan and Sevilla FC stood out as winners in various categories.
The Gañafote Cup has established itself as a festival of grassroots soccer and a tourism engine for Huelva, surpassing each edition of the previous one and attracting young talent from around the world. Our vision for the future includes improving our international presence in the five continents, increasing the number of venues in the province and striving for excellence in each edition.
