Paço de Arcos to host 2026 Pharoes Beach Sprints International Trophy

The beach of Paço de Arcos, in the municipality of Oeiras, will host the 1924 Pharoes Beach Sprints International Trophy from July 24 to 26, one of the most prestigious international coastal rowing competitions (Beach Sprints).

This year's edition will bring together 250 athletes representing 31 countries, confirming Portugal's growing international recognition as a prime venue for organizing major events in this discipline.

Olympic Discipline on the Rise

Approximately two years before Beach Sprints make their Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, Portugal once again gathers some of the world's best international athletes in a discipline that has revolutionized traditional rowing.

The races begin with a run on the sand to the boats, followed by a 500-meter slalom course between buoys, and end back on the beach, where athletes cross the finish line running. Over three days of competition, the main individual and doubles categories will be contested in boats specially designed for coastal navigation, offering both a high-level competitive sports program and an intensely exciting spectacle with close proximity to the public.

Portugal's Strong Performance

The 2026 edition follows the enormous success of the 2025 event, where Portuguese athletes won three gold medals:

• Sofia Oliveira and Rita Tigeleiro – Gold in CJW 2x
• Dinis Oliveira and José Azevedo – Gold in CJM 2x
• Dinis Oliveira – Gold in CJM 1x

These results confirm the high competitive level of Portuguese rowing and the potential of the new generations, placing the national team among the protagonists of this year's competition.

Official Statements

Luís Faria, President of the Portuguese Rowing Federation, highlighted the growing importance of the event:

"The 1924 Pharoes Beach Sprints International Trophy establishes itself as an international reference in the sport and demonstrates Portugal's capacity to organize competitions at the highest level. The increase in international participation and the excellent results of Portuguese athletes are a source of pride and reinforce our ambition to continue developing this Olympic discipline."

International Recognition and Future Outlook

The 1924 Pharoes Beach Sprints International Trophy is part of the international calendar of the sport and establishes itself, year after year, as one of the reference competitions in the Beach Sprints circuit. It contributes to projecting Portugal on the world stage of coastal rowing — a discipline whose Olympic qualification is scheduled for the country, considering the 2027 Beach Sprints World Championship to be held at Praia da Torre, in Oeiras.

The competition is organized under the auspices of the Portuguese Rowing Federation and has the support of the Portuguese Navy, maintaining the institutional partnership associated with the Centenary of the Lighthouse Directorate, which gives its name to the trophy.

This moment was also chosen by the International Olympic Committee to support the efforts of seven developing countries in this sport: Uganda, Senegal, Cyprus, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Portugal.

Competition Schedule

| Day | Time | |-----|------| | Friday, 24 JUN | 09:30 – 18:30 | | Saturday, 25 JUN | 08:00 – 19:00 | | Sunday, 26 JUN | 08:30 – 13:30 |

Represented Countries

• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• Algeria
• Australia
• Austria
• Brazil
• China
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• Egypt
• Spain
• Estonia
• France
• Faroe Islands
• Israel
• Italy
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Netherlands
• Peru
• Poland
• Portugal
• United Kingdom
• Senegal
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Uganda
• Vanuatu