Reggaeton Beach Festival cancels all seven Spanish festivals for 2026
The Reggaeton Beach Festival has pulled the plug on its entire 2026 summer tour, citing financial and operational non-viability, just weeks before the first event in Barcelona.
The sudden halt
On 17 June the Reggaeton Beach Festival (RBF) told its suppliers by WhatsApp that none of the seven planned festivals would take place. The message, obtained by El Mundo, said "we are obliged to confirm that the planned festivals will not be held." The stops were Barcelona (27–28 June opener), Alicante, Tenerife, Santander, Mallorca, Madrid and Nigrán. Organisers said they had analysed multiple options but "it has not been possible to find a sustainable situation." The announcement came while ticket sales were still active on the website, even after suppliers had been ordered to stop work.
From 8,000 in Badalona to a half-million strong brand
The festival started in 2017 in Badalona with 8,000 attendees, co-founded by Iván Sanahuja and Raul Rojas. Attendance grew rapidly: 600,000 people came across 12 venues in 2023, and last year’s edition drew 500,000, with the Barcelona stop alone attracting 50,000 over two days at Fira Gran Via in L'Hospitalet.
- 2017
- 8000 attendees
- 2023
- 600000 attendees
- 2025
- 500000 attendees
The 2026 lineup included Anuel AA, Myke Towers, Omar Courtz and Ñengo Flow. In February, new investors Cerruti Capital 1881 from Dubai and Vanquish Sports & Media Group joined, promising global expansion. But current management now says it inherited "difficulties accumulated from previous years" beyond its control.
- Founded in Badalona; 8,000 attend first edition
- Peak year: 600,000 attendees across 12 venues
- Last edition held; total 500,000 attendees, Barcelona draws 50,000
- New investors Cerruti Capital and Vanquish join; global expansion announced
- Organisation tells suppliers all seven 2026 festivals are cancelled
Ticket sales ongoing and refunds unclear
Despite the internal cancellation, the RBF website kept selling tickets through the morning of 18 June. Reports indicate a substantial portion had already been sold. No public statement to buyers has been issued yet; the organisation promised instructions "for the different affected groups" in the coming days. Under Spanish consumer law buyers should get full refunds, but the financial distress clouds the timeline. La Razón described the situation as "absolute uncertainty" for the public.
A wave of festival cancellations in Spain
RBF is not alone. The Spanish live music sector has seen Fortaleza Sound and Solaris Nerja pull out this year, the latter folding last week due to low ticket sales. Industry observers point to soaring production costs, artist fees and market saturation. La Razón said the collapse "puts the bubble surrounding certain musical formats in our country into evidence." RBF’s statement hinted at legal restructuring, calling it the most responsible path to let the case be reviewed "in accordance with applicable legal mechanisms."
We are obliged to confirm that the planned festivals will not be held.
It has not been possible to find a sustainable situation.
