SPAIN Law and Practice Contributed by: Joaquín Jofre Fernández-Abascal, Jofre Sports Law
Plan ADOP (paralympic support) This is a specialised programme that ensures female paralympic athletes receive equal financial aid and training resources, contributing to Spain’s high suc - cess rate in international para-sports. Institutional Progress The 2022 Ley del Deporte now mandates that all sports federations must have a balanced gender represen - tation on their boards (minimum 40%) and requires them to implement specific protocols for pregnancy and nursing for professional athletes. 9. Esports 9.1 Development and Growth of Esports In 2026, Spain remains one of Europe’s most vibrant esports markets, characterised by a massive audi - ence of nearly 19 million consumers and a shifting professional landscape. The industry has evolved from a niche activity into a mainstream entertainment sector worth approximately EUR150 million as of late 2023, with continued growth projected into the late 2020s. Market Evolution and Recent Trends Professionalisation Esports is no longer just “gaming” but a multidiscipli - nary sector impacting the labour market and integrat - ing technologies such as VR and 5G. Professionalisa - tion has led to dedicated educational programmes, which train students in industry management. Virtual sports integration Traditional sports clubs are increasingly establishing “virtual” sections. 9.2 Key Trends and Notable Deals in Esports A major shift occurred in 2026 when the management of League of Legends, the cornerstone of Spanish esports, moved from LVP (Mediapro) to a joint venture between LastLap and Cabal Esports. The league was reduced to eight elite teams to ensure financial stabil - ity for participants.
supporting over 800,000 female athletes across 35 federations. 8.2 Organisations and Initiatives to Promote Women’s Sport In Spain, the growth of women’s sport is driven by a sophisticated network of government initiatives, private sponsorships and labour advocacy groups focused on structural professionalisation. Key Organisations The Association of Women in Professional Sport (AMDP) This is a leading advocacy group that lobbies for gen - der equality in sports leadership and media visibility. The AMDP was instrumental in the legislative push for the 2022 Sports Act. Liga F As the first fully professionalised women’s league in Spain, Liga F functions as an autonomous commercial entity, managing its own broadcasting and sponsor - ship assets independently of men’s structures. FUTPRO The first specialised union exclusively for female foot - ball players in Spain, FUTPRO gained international prominence for its role in negotiating the historic first collective bargaining agreement for professional wom - en footballers. Major Developmental Initiatives Universo Mujer (CSD) Managed by the CSD, this is a comprehensive pro - gramme classified as an “event of exceptional public interest”. It offers private companies tax incentives of up to 90% for investing in women’s sports projects, funding everything from grassroots clinics to elite competitions. Women and Sport Programme (CSD) This initiative provides direct grants to national federa - tions specifically for the training of female coaches and referees, ensuring that the growth of women’s sport is supported by a robust technical infrastructure.
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