The Balearic Islands – Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera – are set to have a busy sporting year in 2025, with events and activities attracting athletes and visitors from around the world. From marathons and cycling challenges to sailing regattas and tennis, the Balearic Islands offer something for all sports fanatics.
Running events
The Santa Eulària Ibiza Marathon on 12 April invites participants to experience the beauty of Ibiza with race distances of 12km, 22km, and the full marathon. Runners will pass through scenic villages, coastal paths, and the island’s charming landscapes, before careering down the home stretch on the promenade of Santa Eulària des Riu, meaning racers of all distances finish as one.
On 23 March, the Caixabank Palma Half Marathon & 10K in the Mallorcan capital, Palma, offers a flat and picturesque route through the heart of the city. With the striking Cathedral of Santa Maria as the starting point, participants will glide past iconic architecture as they run through Palma’s cobbled streets.
For more experienced runners who want to take on their first half marathon challenge, Ibiza Media Maratón and Half Marathon Magaluf, both taking place on 5 April, provide runners with the chance to explore the stunning coastlines of both islands in either a 10K or half marathon. The Half Marathon Magaluf even has a kids race allowing the whole family to get involved and cross the finish line together. With a limit of 2000 places and athletes selected by a ballot, the more exclusive Mitja Marató de Formentera on 17 May will showcase the peaceful and idyllic natural beauty of Formentera’s beaches and countryside via its 21km course.
Trail running
For trail running enthusiasts, the Balearic Islands present a variety of tough and scenic races that traverse rugged landscapes showcasing the islands’ natural beauty. On 2 May, Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls in Menorca offers eight different distances from 27km to 185km, taking participants along towering cliffs and through rugged coastal trails. The Trail de Sant Jordi on 29 June in Ibiza offers a 16km run along compacted earth paths and forest trails. Part of the route is known as “El Infierno” (Hell) although competitors should not be alarmed as this race is deemed to be of medium difficulty. The Formentera All Round Trail on 30 March has routes ranging from 11km to 72km route, with the longest route marked by sandy beaches, imposing cliffs, and passing by both of the island’s famous lighthouses: Cap de Babaria and La Mola.
Cycling
Cycling enthusiasts can look forward to several exciting events in 2025, with courses designed to challenge riders across both road and mountain biking routes. The Mallorca 312, held on 26 April, delivers exactly what its name suggests, offering proficient cyclists 312km of Mallorca’s stunning coastal roads, complete with challenging inclines and exhilarating downhill sections. There are also 167km and 225km courses available for those wanting a slightly easier challenge. For road cyclists, the Volta Cicloturista Internacional a Menorca, from 17-19 October, offers a three-day cycling tour that takes participants on a journey through Menorca’s emblematic spots such as the Camí d’en Kane and the undulating mountain paths of S’Enclusa and Monte Toro, in the milder yet still sunny autumnal climate. Additionally, the Vuelta Cicloturista a Ibiza Campagnolo from 4-5 October provides a two-day cycling experience through San Antonio and its surrounding villages, covering routes of approximately 90km and 64km.
Water sports
The Ruta de la Sal is an unmissable sailing regatta taking place on 17 April where the yachters start in Barcelona and Dénia, making their way to the final destination in Ibiza’s San Antonio. Participants will race across the Mediterranean waters, facing off in a challenging contest while enjoying the stunning coastal landscapes of the Balearic Islands, making it a memorable experience for sailors and spectators alike. Ibiza will also host the Open Water World Cup 2025 from 25-27 April transforming it into the epicentre of international aquatic sports. The event will attract over 1000 swimmers from around the world to the municipality of Santa Eulària to compete in Ibiza’s crystal-clear waters.
Spectator sports
Visitors to the Balearics can attend one of the islands’ many spectator sporting events in 2025. For tennis lovers, The Mallorca Open held from 22-28 June in Calvià will showcase the talents of professional tennis players, making it a wonderful opportunity to combine a trip to sunnier climes and watch top tier tennis. Tennis fans can also look forward to the Open Menorca ATP Challenger 100, taking place from 31 March to 6 April at the Club Tennis Ciutadella in Menorca. This tournament makes Menorca one of only a few places in Spain to host an ATP Challenger Tour event and it serves as the ideal springboard for rising tennis stars embarking on their journey towards the Top 100, with legends Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz having begun their careers on this very circuit.
For football fans, there are two key tournaments taking place in Mallorca, the first being The Mallorca International Football Club Women’s Tournament (III Edition) from 17-20 April featuring both under-17 women’s football teams and senior women’s futsal teams. The third edition of this competition shows how women’s teams are increasingly demonstrating the quality of their squads in the world of football. The Mallorca International Football Club Vicente Del Bosque (IV Edition), taking place from 20-25 June, welcomes 272 teams from 15 participating nations to play more than 500 matches. This is a youth football tournament for ages U10 to U16, as well as futsal events for U12 and U14, and a “Specials Cup” for players aged 16 and above.
For more information on things to do in the Balearic Islands see illesbalears.travel