World Cup screens at La Laguna's Baile de Magos: the decision that divided a city

The decision by the Ayuntamiento de San Cristóbal de La Laguna to install three giant screens so people could follow the Spain-Belgium match during the Baile de Magos de San Benito Abad — held on Friday, 10 July 2026 — drew opposition from neighbourhood associations and part of the municipal opposition, though it also found support from those who pointed to similar precedents in the city.

The council's decision

According to the councillor for Festivals, as reported by the Ayuntamiento itself, the screens were placed at three locations within the venue: one on the main stage at the foot of the Iglesia de La Concepción; another near the Plaza de La Concepción, also known as the Plazoleta Pedro Zerolo, close to the old water tower; and a third on Calle Marqués de Celada, at the parrandas stage. The match, a World Cup quarter-final, kicked off at 20.00.

The council clarified that the screens would carry no sound and that the musical programme — originally scheduled to begin at 21.15 — would be adjusted "so that no one misses the performances by the folklore groups and parrandas". Officials noted that most people typically arrive at San Benito around 21.30, and that the match was due to end at 21.45, meaning the acts would only be delayed by a few minutes. Entry to the venue was permitted from 19.00.

According to information published by Diario de Avisos, two of the three screens would broadcast without sound, while those wishing to follow the match with audio could do so at Plaza Hermano Ramón, located outside the main venue.

The mayor, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez (PSOE), defended the initiative by recalling that "this approach has already been used on other historic sporting occasions, such as the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2024, which coincided with the celebration of the Romería de San Benito Abad". The aim, he added, was "to give people the opportunity to enjoy this decisive match with friends and family, in the unique setting that the Baile de Magos offers us".

The criticism

Pablo Reyes, president of the Asociación de Vecinos del casco histórico de La Laguna, told Canarias Ahora that "in principle, we don't think it's appropriate to install football screens. It has no place here. It's mixing two things that shouldn't be mixed". The association argued that the move "undermines the Baile de Magos", with Reyes suggesting the screens should be set up in another square or that "everyone can watch it at home".

Unidas Se Puede, which holds two seats on the council, also came out against the decision. "It is incomprehensible that the council itself should now turn one of the most emblematic events of our festival calendar into a backdrop for watching a football match," the group said, calling for "coherence and respect" for cultural identity.

Some residents linked the controversy to gentrification and the erosion of the old town's identity. La Laguna journalist David González placed the residents' "frustration" within "a situation experienced every day, with streets packed and long-time residents being driven out of their homes and neighbourhoods by rising housing costs".

A coexistence with precedent

In response to those positions, Julio Torres, a researcher and populariser of La Laguna's history, argued in comments to Atlántico Hoy that festivals and football have coexisted before without conflict. He recalled that in 2010 the feast day of San Benito coincided with the World Cup final in South Africa — which Spain won — and that screens were also set up on that occasion. He recounted that commemorative prints of the saint were produced for the event bearing the words: "San Benito, protector of the Spanish national team".

A record night

The Baile de Magos drew more than 12,000 people, according to official figures from the municipal Policía Local, who filled the 670 tables set out by the council. The musical programme got under way after 21.30, once the match had ended. The night passed without notable incidents, according to the security operation. The event marked the start of a weekend that would culminate in the Romería Regional de San Benito Abad, the only such pilgrimage in the Canary Islands to hold that distinction.