The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship kicks off the road to the 2031 Ryder Cup

The official presentation in Barcelona reinforces the partnership between the DP World Tour and Estrella Damm in a strategic project starting at Real Club de Golf El Prat

The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship is now a reality. The official presentation, held this Tuesday at the Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm, marked the beginning of a journey that goes beyond sport, connecting the present of the DP World Tour with the horizon of the 2031 Ryder Cup in Catalunya.

The event showcased the partnership between the DP World Tour and its main sponsoring partner, Estrella Damm, with the participation of the Tour’s CEO, Guy Kinnings, and the CEO of Estrella Damm, Jorge Villavecchia. Both highlighted the importance of building this path together towards 2031 through an annual tournament, which will begin this year at Real Club de Golf El Prat from 7–10 May.

Representing Real Club de Golf El Prat, Vice President Íñigo Montesino-Espartero Velasco attended the event on behalf of the President.

The tournament will open the 2026 European Swing and position itself as the first major milestone in an unprecedented “Road to 2031”, with the aim of establishing Catalunya as one of Europe’s leading golf destinations.

“This is a very significant moment for European golf. Barcelona is a region with a strong track record of hosting major sporting events, and this tournament will generate a strong economic impact while leaving a lasting legacy,” said Kinnings.

Villavecchia also underlined the long-term vision of the project: “We have been linked to golf for many years and wanted to be part of a long-term project, not a one-off initiative.”

Tribute to Seve Ballesteros and strong Spanish field

The tournament will begin on 7 May, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of Seve Ballesteros’ passing. On that day, players will wear his iconic outfit in tribute to one of the greatest figures in golf history.

The event will also feature a strong Spanish field, including Pablo Larrazábal, Nacho Elvira, Ángel Ayora, Ángel Hidalgo, Eugenio Chacarra, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Adri Arnaus and Jorge Campillo.

Among them, Adri Arnaus highlighted the importance of competing at home: “It’s a privilege. Having friends, family and Spanish fans around you makes the experience truly special.”

Impact and legacy

Beyond the sporting competition, the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship is part of a broader strategy aimed at generating economic impact, attracting high-quality tourism and promoting Catalunya as a global golf destination.

The tournament will be the first in a series of events to be held across different courses in Catalunya in the coming years, building a progressive pathway towards the 2031 Ryder Cup.

From 7–10 May, Real Club de Golf El Prat will once again take centre stage in European golf, marking the beginning of a project set to leave a lasting legacy.

Useful links

• Full Club news article:El Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship se presenta con nuevos jugadores y la vista puesta en la Ryder Cup 2031 - Real Club de Golf El Prat - Barcelona
• Promotional videos (WeTransfer):
• DP World Tour promotional video (YouTube):