LUANCO/STARNBERG, November 11, 2026

The Torneo Tenis Playa de Luanco, one of the most unusual events in world tennis, will return to La Ribera beach in summer 2027. The tournament is famous for its unique setting: matches are played on a temporary court laid out on the sand exposed at low tide, with the daily schedule adjusted to follow the tides.

The beach has welcomed a number of international tennis stars in recent years. In August 2025, Richard Gasquet defeated 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-4 in the final, in front of stands built directly on the beach. Benoît Paire was also among the players in the draw. In 2024, Diego Schwartzman claimed the title after an all-Argentine final against Pedro Cachín.

Following the cancellation of the 2026 edition, the tournament is now preparing to return for its 39th edition, continuing a history spanning more than half a century. The relaunch is based on an agreement between Bajamar Eventos — a company founded by Eduardo Serrano together with Tandem Projects —, Club de Tenis Luanco and Gozón Town Council. Bajamar Eventos will take over the organisation and the tournament rights for an initial two-year period, which can be renewed.

Luanco, Asturias. 🎾 🏖

#TenisPlaya #Luanco https://t.co/SskLxE63D7

— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) August 7, 2025

Over the years, the distinctive court at La Ribera has hosted Grand Slam champions, former world No. 1s and Davis Cup winners, including Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Moyà, Àlex Corretja, David Ferrer, Pablo Carreño, Feliciano López and Nicolás Almagro. Guillermo Cañas, Cédric Pioline and Younes El Aynaoui have also competed at the event, among others.

The new chapter aims to protect the elements that make the tournament special: tennis played on the sand left behind by the tide, right in the heart of the town and close to its people. At the same time, the organisers want to attract the strongest possible field and increase the tournament’s international profile. The 2025 edition attracted close to 10,000 spectators and was broadcast by Spanish sports channel Teledeporte and Asturian regional television station TPA.

The event will retain its historic names, the “Memorial Manolo Galé” and the “Trofeo Juan Avendaño”, with the support of Gozón Town Council and the Regional Directorates for Sport and Tourism of the Principality of Asturias.

Organisers welcome the tournament’s return

Jorge Suárez, Mayor of Gozón, welcomed the announcement:

“The return of the Tenis Playa is extraordinary news for Luanco, for the municipality of Gozón and for the whole of Asturias. The tournament is part of our identity and a first-class showcase for tourism. The Town Council will stand by the organisers so that the competition can return with every guarantee.”

José Manuel Fernández, President of Club de Tenis Luanco, described the latest relaunch as a particularly important moment for the event:

“This third relaunch, which I hope will be the last, is very special because it is the first to rely on an external organisation, in which Club de Tenis Luanco places its full trust.”

“The Club will contribute all its experience to ease the handover and make sure that we do not lose the work of many years and the selfless effort of so many people who gave their time, as volunteers, to put Luanco on the international tennis map with a tournament that is unique in the world.”

Eduardo Serrano, promoter of the tournament with Bajamar Eventos, highlighted both the professional and personal significance of bringing the event back:

“Bringing this tournament back is not only a professional challenge, but also a sentimental responsibility to Asturias and to the history of Spanish tennis. We are already working on the dates, the logistics and a top-level player line-up that will bring the excitement back to La Ribera beach in 2027.”

Guillem Franquesa, also a promoter of the tournament with Bajamar Eventos, outlined the ambitions for its next chapter:

“We want the tournament to grow from what makes it special: the tennis, La Ribera and the people of Luanco. We are putting our experience and our ability to deliver at the service of a great new stage. We will attract the best tennis possible, widen the reach of the tournament and take care of every detail — always alongside the Club, and in recognition of those who created the tournament and made it great.”

A unique tradition on the Asturian coast

The Torneo Tenis Playa de Luanco is an exhibition event that began in the 1970s on La Ribera beach in Luanco, in Asturias in northern Spain. Its format is unlike any other on the tennis calendar, with matches played directly on the beach sand at low tide and the schedule governed by the tides.

Declared a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest, the tournament combines high-level tennis with local tradition and strong community roots. Its recent champions include Pablo Carreño (2022), Edas Butvilas (2023), Diego Schwartzman (2024) and Richard Gasquet (2025).

With its return scheduled for summer 2027, the Tenis Playa de Luanco is preparing to write another chapter in its distinctive history.