Changes to the Castells Competition scoring: the pde7sf will be included and loaded spells will have less value.

The 2026 Castells Competition begins on September 1st, when the new scoring table comes into effect. It includes the unlined 7-piece pillar and increases the difference between loaded and unloaded castells. However, there are no changes to the scoring order of the castells. These and other agreements have been the result of the consultative process launched by the organizers, in which 54 casteller groups, experts, and journalists participated.

The 2026 Castells Competition will slightly modify the scoring of all constructions, in a correction intended to achieve greater consistency between loaded and unloaded castells. The objective of the new table was to achieve the broadest possible consensus and to serve as a reference for many editions of the competition. The only change to the order of the table is to score the 3de7a higher than the 4de7a.

The pde7sf is included

The PDE7SF was the only structure that achieved majority consensus among the groups and individuals consulted, so it will be included in the new scoring table. Other proposed options, such as the 10de7 and 10de8, the PDE5PS and the PDE6SP, the 2de6SP and 2de7PS, and the 5de9FA and 7de9SF, however, did not generate as much consensus for various reasons. As for the 3de8PS, several individuals and groups believe it should be rated higher, although it is difficult to fit into the table.

Likewise, no castles are being eliminated from the competition, although this was an option that had been raised. Although there might be some agreement on excluding composite structures with spires, many of the individuals and groups of human tower builders have agreed that these constructions contribute to the competition, especially the Torredembarra competition.

Greater distinction between loaded and unloaded.

Another aspect worth highlighting is that, in general, a greater difference between loaded and unloaded castles is requested. In the new table, loaded castles will have approximately 17% less points than completed ones, while in the current table the difference is 14%.

Furthermore, in the next edition, only a maximum of two loaded castles will be counted. This measure will also apply to the qualifying index performances for the three days of the Competition.

One of the proposals not included in this table is to group constructions with the same score. The majority opinion in the survey was negative.

Other human tower and organizational issues

There are other elements that play a role in the Competition that the Castells Competition Advisory Committee has yet to fully discuss, in order to make a decision by early 2026 on whether or not to incorporate them into the new regulations. Among other things, the survey found many favorable opinions for the qualifying index to include at least one performance (the best) from the year the Competition is held. It is also positively valued that a group can make a third attempt at a castle from which the previous two have been dismantled.

On the other hand, opinions about reducing the competition to four rounds were more negative, because they consider that the fifth round does not excessively extend the duration of the competition.

Among the organizational aspects, there is agreement on including in the regulations the deadline by which a castle must be announced and, above all, the deadline for changing it. They also call for greater equality among the juries, for groups from other days to be more involved, and for jury members to not wear shirts on the day of the competition.

Furthermore, it is considered appropriate to modify the online ticket sales process by incorporating a ticket reservation system and assigning a ticket order number.