The first edition of the Copa del Rey de Baloncesto at the newly inaugurated Roig Arena has set a new gold standard for Spanish basketball. The tournament, which saw Baskonia defeat Real Madrid in the final, drew a massive 101,399 total spectators over four days, signaling a major commercial victory for the city of Valencia and the ACB.
Attendance Highlights: Nearing All-Time Records
The Roig Arena, a €300 million multi-purpose venue funded by Juan Roig, proved its worth as a premier European sports destination.
- Final Attendance: The final between Real Madrid and Baskonia drew 15,134 fans, falling just 152 spectators short of the all-time record set in 2017 at Vitoria’s Buesa Arena.
- Consistency: Every match during the tournament surpassed 13,000 attendees, demonstrating the high demand for elite basketball in Valencia.
- Comparison to 2025: Attendance grew significantly from the 2025 edition in Gran Canaria, which saw 65,742 total fans and a final attendance of 9,870.
Economic and Strategic Impact
The tournament’s success has immediately secured the venue’s future as a basketball hub.
- Direct Economic Impact: Estimates for the city of Valencia range between €20 million and €25 million, with potential indirect impact reaching up to €70 million.
- 2027 Host Confirmed: Following the “A+” performance of the venue, it was officially confirmed that the Roig Arena will host the 2027 Copa del Rey as well.
- Juan Roig’s Vision: The entrepreneur emphasized that modern venues are the key to competing with football for audience share, stating, “If other teams built these types of arenas, we wouldn’t even need the NBA.”
Roig Arena Venue Capabilities
| Mode | Capacity |
| Basketball Matches | 15,600 |
| Standard Concert | 18,600 |
| 360-Degree Concert | 20,000 |
| Auditorium / Corporate | 2,500 |