Expodeca: The Second Edition of the Physical Activity and Sports Fair in Tenerife

Around 160 companies, 90 stands, more than 20 conferences, and 30 exhibitions will bring the second edition of the Physical Activity and Sports Fair, Expodeca, to life this year on the island of Tenerife. The event is set to take place from 2nd to 5th October at the exhibition centre, aiming to attract over 17,000 visitors and immerse them in the world of physical activity and health. It promises to be four days of sporting festivities.

This Tuesday, the Canary Islands’ Counsellor for Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity and Sport, Poli Suárez, and the Vice-President of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Lope Afonso, unveiled the activities planned for the event, highlighting the importance of fairs like this in promoting physical activity and supporting the more than 2,600 businesses in the sports sector across the Canary Islands.

A Major Sporting Event

“It must become the main event for sports,” Suárez expressed during the event’s presentation. He emphasised that sports are not just an economic engine for the Canary Islands but also “the engine of health.” In this regard, Afonso also stressed the need to continue “enhancing the image of sports” through public policies and private institutions, to showcase “the true power of sports in the Canary Islands.”

“This is a firm commitment to physical activity and sports in all their dimensions, including everyone,” Afonso stated regarding the planned sporting celebration. He noted that the event would also highlight the policies the insular Sports Department has been promoting. Indeed, the Cabildo will have a stand featuring an exhibition with legends from the local sports scene.

The Activities

Following last year’s celebration in Gran Canaria, this year’s fair will be relocated to the Tenerife Exhibition Centre. The venue will allocate different areas for activities such as volleyball, crossfit, martial arts, climbing, paddle, Canarian wrestling, traditional sports, fencing, gymnastics, badminton, urban dance, and boccia. Outdoor spaces will cater to basketball, football, bola Canaria, shepherd’s jump, cycling, squash, and obstacle course racing (OCR).

Interested individuals will have the opportunity to attend classes in Zumba, body combat, Latin dancing, BodyPump, GAP, Body Power, functional training, and focus on posture, relaxation, and mindfulness through Pilates, Tai Chi, Body Balance, or Flow, as explained by the organisers. Furthermore, there will be 35 exhibitions and competitions, with a special focus on traditional sports like Canarian wrestling and the game of the stick. “We’re going to promote our own, our indigenous sports, and recognise our traditional games,” Suárez highlighted.

Final Dance Competition

There will also be spaces for new events, including the inaugural final of the Canary Islands Urban Dance Championship. According to the ministry, this competition will bring together the top performers from the Weekend Urban Dance events in Tenerife and Gran Canaria for the first time, competing for the regional title on Saturday 4th at 11:00 in the Grand Hall. An estimated 750 dancers are expected to participate.

Conferences

Over the four days, there will be conferences featuring experts from the fields of sports, health, education, and business. Notable speakers include journalists Olga Viza and Paloma del Río, recognised figures in sports communication in Spain, and Dr Antonio Ramos Gordillo, a specialist in sports medicine, who will share insights on current and future challenges in the sector. Additionally, the event will host the President of the Sports and Leisure Commission of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, Alejandro Navarro; the President of the Spanish Sports Association, José Hidalgo; and general directors from five autonomous communities.

In total, around 200 individuals from various institutions, including the Teobaldo Power centres, CIFP Candelaria, the University of La Laguna, the European University of the Atlantic, and the Tenerife Solidarity Association, are expected to participate in organising the event.