All ready for the 2026 Castells Competition
The definitive list is already closed and the groups are facing three decisive days marked by ambition, strategy and the fight to make history
TarragonaThe 2026 Concurs de Castells now has the definitive list of participating groups. With the classification closed, it is now known who will compete in each of the three days of the event, which will be held on September 27th and October 3rd and 4th in Torredembarra and at the Tarraco Arena Plaça.
The ranking has been defining this picture throughout the season. Some groups have secured their place with a margin, and others have needed their latest performances to earn enough points. The result leaves several returns, one debut, and some changes compared to the previous edition.
For the groups, however, the classification is only the starting point. Each group will arrive at the competition with its own objectives: from those that aspire to fight for the top positions to those that will seek to take advantage of the event to test new 'castells' or surpass their season records.
Vilafranca leads the Sunday session
The Castellers de Vilafranca arrive at the main event as leaders of the ranking. The group is nearing 60,000 points, having recently successfully completed the pd9fmp, one of the records that allowed them to eventually surpass Colla Vella. The pink-shirted group had led the standings until now, largely thanks to the results they achieved during the second part of the 2025 season. However, the green-shirted group's latest records have ended up shifting the first position in their favor.
In third place, and about 6,000 points behind the top-ranked teams, is the Joves de Valls, who have especially leveraged their 2 of 9 without manilles from Santa Úrsula and a season with a good share of 'desfolrats' (non-reinforced) human towers. The Jove de Tarragona completes the quartet of groups that occupy the top positions and arrive at the main event with arguments to compete at the top level, especially after having successfully completed the 3d10fm for Sant Fèlix.
Behind them, and following the withdrawal of the Minyons de Terrassa, there will be the Castellers de Sants, the Capgrossos de Mataró, the Moixiganguers d’Igualada, and the Xiquets de Tarragona. These are the groups that have secured a spot on the exterior of the Tarraco Arena Plaça and arrive on Sunday with 9-level human towers as one of their main arguments.
In the center of the plaza, the Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia, the Xiquets de Reus, the Colla Castellera de Sant Pere i Sant Pau, and the Castellers de Barcelona will perform. Those from Gràcia will experience an expected return. They had not participated in the main day of the competition since 2018. Sant Pere i Sant Pau will also return on Sunday, having already performed there in 2022.
The fight for the last Sunday spots has remained open in recent months. The Castellers de Barcelona have ended up closing the ranking, after the progress of Sant Pere i Sant Pau ended up displacing them to the last position.
The day will be different for the Castellers de Sabadell and the Nens del Vendrell, who had competed on Sunday in 2024 and who this year will do so on Saturday.
Els Nois de la Torre, from 40th position to Saturday's session
One of the most notable comebacks in the standings is that of the Nois de la Torre. In mid-April, the Torredembarra group occupied the 40th position and found it difficult to reach one of the competition spots. The summer calendar, however, allowed them to accumulate points on a regular basis. The struggle also involved the Castellers d'Esparreguera and the Castellers de Sarrià. At the Esparreguera festival, the locals surpassed those from Sarrià in this battle. The Nois de la Torre, however, still had three performances left to continue adding points.
At the Santa Rosalia festival and the Riera de Gaià festival, they completed one of the best performances in their history, with the 3d7, the 7d7, and the 5d7. A week later, in Altafulla, they once again unloaded the 7d7 and the 5d7, in addition to the 4d7.
These results have ended up giving them the spot they were looking for and will allow the Nois de la Torre to return to the Tarraco Arena Plaça for the first time since 2018. They will do so, moreover, after having been champions of the last two editions of the competition held in Torredembarra and having unloaded this Sunday the second 4d8 in their history.
Saturday, a day with many attractions
Saturday's competition will also have several points of interest. The Castellers de Sabadell, the Marrecs de Salt, the Xics de Granollers, and the Sagals d’Osona lead the day's classification. The Castellers de Lleida, winners of the grand trophy in 2024, will also be there, along with the Nens del Vendrell and the Castellers de Sant Cugat.
The Xiquets del Serrallo arrive at the competition after having achieved their first 'clàssica de vuit' during Sant Magí. The group from Tarragona wants to continue advancing and has the possibility of attempting the 2d8f on the table. For their part, the Bordegassos de Vilanova will also be one of the groups to follow.
One of the most notable returns will be that of the Castellers de Castelldefels. The group had not raised 'castells' at the current Tarraco Arena Plaça since 1994, when it was still the bullring. 32 years have passed since their last participation in this venue.
Cambrils debuts at the 'Concurset'
The Xiquets de Cambrils also have reasons to experience this edition in a special way. The group has maintained great consistency throughout the season and has managed to pass the cut with a one-place margin. The usual 7-level castle doublets and, above all, the first 7-level castles with a pillar in their history have been important to secure qualification. It will be the first participation of the Xiquets de Cambrils in the competition. The group already has new goals in mind, such as the 5d7.
The Torredembarra event will also see the return of the Castellers d’Esparreguera, the Castellers de Mollet, and the Castellers de Berga, who in 2024 had performed on the Saturday session.
The September 27th session will also feature the withdrawal of the Castellers de Cornellà, who have decided not to participate because the date coincides with a performance at home. If any other group were to renounce their place, the next one on the invitation list would be the Castellers d’Altafulla.
The draw, on September 11th
With the final list closed, the next important moment will be the draw for the order of performance and the position of the groups in the square. It will take place on September 11th in El Vendrell, in an act of tribute to Pau Casals, who was president of the first jury of the competition.
