Blockage in Congress affects Spain's designation as host of international sporting events

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Junts' veto of Sánchez leaves UEFA finals in Spain without tax benefits

Junts per Catalunya's decision not to back Pedro Sánchez's government's tax decree will have direct consequences in the sporting arena. The pro-independence party's refusal has meant that the finals of UEFA competitions scheduled in Spain will not be eligible for tax incentives, which could jeopardise the country's candidacy to host future major international events.

Junts' veto has prevented Congress from approving the extension of tax benefits for events of public interest, a common measure in this type of competition. This directly affects the Champions League and Europa League finals, scheduled to take place in Madrid and Bilbao, respectively, in 2025. Without these incentives, the organisation of these matches becomes more costly, which could make Spain less competitive in future UEFA designations.

The economic and organisational impact

Tax exemptions are a key factor in attracting major international events. In this case, the rejected measure included advantages for the organising entities, facilitating the arrival of investments and promoting a positive economic impact on the host cities. Without these incentives, UEFA finals in Spain become less attractive compared to other countries that do offer such advantages.

A political decision with sporting repercussions

Junts' rejection is part of its strategy to put pressure on Pedro Sánchez's government, with the aim of conditioning future negotiations. However, this stance has generated concern in the sporting sphere, as it could influence Spain's designation as host of other top-level events, including Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup, which the country will co-host with Portugal and Morocco.

Concern at RFEF and CSD

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Spanish Sports Council (CSD) have expressed their concern about this situation, pointing out that the lack of tax incentives could make Spain less competitive as a destination for UEFA events. They have also urged the government and the parliamentary groups to seek solutions to recover these benefits for the future.