The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship tees off the Road to the 2031 Ryder Cup

The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship is now a reality. At the official presentation held on April 30 at the Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm, Barcelona took the first step in a journey that goes beyond sport: a strategic project that connects the present of the DP World Tour with the horizon of the 2031 Ryder Cup in Catalunya.

The event marked the coming together of the DP World Tour and its main sponsoring partner, Estrella Damm, with the participation of the Tour’s CEO, Guy Kinnings, and the CEO at Estrella Damm, Jorge Villavecchia, who highlighted the importance of building this path together towards 2031 through an annual tournament, starting this year at Real Club de Golf El Prat from May 7–10. Tickets for the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship (with a 25% discount for federation members, 50% off for young people aged 13 to 17, and free entry for children under 13) are available now.

The event enjoyed full institutional backing, with attendees including Berni Álvarez, Regional Minister for Sport of the Government of Catalonia; Fernando Molinero, Director General of Sport at the Spanish Sports Council (CSD); Juan Guerrero-Burgos, President of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation (RFEG); Ánder Martínez, President of the Spanish PGA; and Ramón Agenjo, Director and Secretary of the Board of Directors at Damm. Representing Real Club de Golf El Prat, Vice President Íñigo Montesino-Espartero Velasco attended the event on behalf of the President, who was unable to be present due to prior commitments.

The tournament will not only mark the start of the 2026 European Swing but also positions itself as the first major milestone in an unprecedented “Road to 2031”.

During the event, both leaders emphasized the scale of the project. Beyond the competition itself, the goal is clear: to position Catalonia as one of the leading golf destinations worldwide.

“We are facing a very significant moment for European golf,” said Kinnings. “Barcelona is a region used to hosting major sporting events, and this tournament will generate a substantial economic impact and, above all, leave a lasting legacy in the region.”

In the same vein, Villavecchia highlighted the long-term vision behind the project: “It was a natural evolution. We have been linked to golf for years and wanted to be part of a long-term project, not just a one-off initiative.”

The championship is therefore born with a dual ambition: to be a global event capable of attracting fans from all over the world — with spectators expected from more than 80 countries — while also reflecting Catalan culture, hospitality and identity.

One of the keys of the event was Spain’s historic role in the Ryder Cup. With 11 Spanish Ryder Cuppers and legends such as Seve Ballesteros, Spain’s legacy remains very much alive on the tour.

In fact, the tournament will kick off on May 7, a particularly symbolic date as it marks the 15th anniversary of Ballesteros’s death. The DP World Tour has announced that on that day all players will wear Seve’s iconic outfit — navy trousers, a navy jumper and a white polo shirt — as a tribute to one of the great legends of world golf.

“Spain has had a huge impact on the Ryder Cup, both through its players and the passion of its fans,” said Kinnings. “That legacy remains very much alive and is now looking to the future from Catalonia.”

On the sporting side, the tournament will feature a strong Spanish representation. In addition to confirmed players Pablo Larrazábal, Nacho Elvira and Ángel Ayora, new names include Ángel Hidalgo, Eugenio Chacarra, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Adri Arnaus and Jorge Campillo.

All of them highlighted the special feeling of competing at home.

“It’s always very special to play in Spain,” one of the players said in a video message. “It’s a spectacular course and I’m sure it will be a great week, with strong support from the fans.”

Ángel Hidalgo also expressed his excitement about being part of the journey towards the Ryder Cup: “I’m really happy to play the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship and to be part of this road to 2031.”

One of the highlights of the event was a live appearance by Adri Arnaus, one of the key local players, who joined remotely from Dubai.

The Catalan golfer, who has ties to Real Club de Golf El Prat, did not hide his excitement:

“It’s a privilege to play at home. Having friends, family and Spanish fans close by is something unique. Whenever you compete here, you feel truly supported.”

Arnaus also pointed out the impact of tournaments like this on younger generations:

“For young players, it’s a huge motivation. Watching these tournaments and seeing the players makes you want to train harder and dream about being there one day. I experienced that myself as a kid.”

From Estrella Damm, the role of the tournament within a broader territorial strategy was also highlighted.

“Golf generates high-quality tourism that integrates into the environment and delivers real economic value,” explained Villavecchia. “Events like this help position Catalonia internationally and create sustainable growth.”

The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship will also be the first in a series of events to be held across different Catalan courses in the coming years, reinforcing the idea of a progressive journey towards 2031.

With strong institutional backing and the involvement of both public and private stakeholders, the project aims to leave a mark beyond a single week of competition.

“We want to build something that lasts,” said Villavecchia. “This is not just about organizing a great event, but about creating a legacy that will be remembered when the Ryder Cup arrives in 2031.”

The first step is already set. From May 7 to 10, Real Club de Golf El Prat will once again take its place on the European golf map and begin a journey that promises to shape the future of golf in Catalonia.

The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, a DP World Tour tournament included in the Race to Dubai as the first event of the European Swing, is held thanks to the essential collaboration of the Real Club de Golf El Prat. It is sponsored by Estrella Damm and will kick off the Road to 2031 Ryder Cup, a journey that will end at the 2031 Ryder Cup to be held at Camiral.