Banc Sabadell has renewed its title sponsorship of the Barcelona Open for another three seasons, extending a landmark partnership that will now span two decades and help secure the future of one of the city’s most prestigious international sporting events.
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This new agreement ensures the financial institution will remain the main partner of the historic tennis tournament, officially known as the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell – Trofeu Comte de Godó, through to 2028. The collaboration, which first began in 2008, will now reach the 20-year mark, making it the longest-running sponsorship in the event’s history.
A Two-Decade Partnership
Both the tournament organisers and Banc Sabadell celebrated this extension, viewing it as a testament to their successful and symbiotic relationship. An elite ATP 500 tournament, the event is a cornerstone of the European clay-court season, taking place at the prestigious Reial Club de Tennis Barcelona 1899 in the city’s Pedralbes district.
Josep Oliu, President of Banc Sabadell, highlighted the shared principles behind the long-standing alliance. “It is a source of pride to renew our commitment to the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, a sporting event with which we share corporate values,” he said. “Through it, we continue to support the city of Barcelona with a tournament that is now part of its identity and with which we maintain a historic alliance alongside the Reial Club de Tennis Barcelona.”
The renewal provides crucial stability for the tournament as it prepares for its 73rd edition, allowing it to continue attracting the world’s best players. This year’s event, scheduled for 11-19 April, has already confirmed the participation of top-tier talent including Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur, Carlos Alcaraz, and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
A Cornerstone of Barcelona’s Sporting Calendar
For the tournament, the continued backing of a major local institution is vital. According to a report in Ara Cat, the deal solidifies the event’s position among the elite clay-court competitions globally.
Xavier Pujol, the tournament’s CEO, expressed his satisfaction with the agreement. “It is a great satisfaction to continue counting on the support of Banc Sabadell, a partner that is part of the tournament’s history and that fully shares its vision and values,” Pujol stated. “This collaboration allows us to continue consolidating the tournament as a benchmark event on the international tennis calendar and as a great sporting, social, and economic event for the city of Barcelona.”
In addition to the on-court action, Banc Sabadell will continue to promote its ‘Aces Solidaris’ (Solidarity Aces) initiative. This programme converts every ace served during the tournament into a donation to non-profit organisations. “It reinforces the value of the tournament beyond the sporting sphere and generates a tangible positive impact on society,” Oliu added.
A Tournament Steeped in History
Carles de Godó i Valls, the second Count of Godó, established the Trofeu Comte de Godó in 1953 at the newly inaugurated club grounds in Pedralbes. It quickly grew into a major stop on the international circuit, known for its passionate crowds and deep connection to the city.
No player is more synonymous with the Barcelona Open than Rafael Nadal. The ‘King of Clay’ has claimed the title an astonishing 12 times; his victories often culminated in an iconic celebratory dive into the club’s swimming pool alongside the ball kids.
The tournament has also witnessed moments of high drama and ingenuity. In 1959, as torrential rain threatened the final, organisers struck a last-minute deal with the Barcelona City Council to move the match indoors. Organisers hastily constructed a clay court inside the Palau dels Esports. This allowed the final between Australians Roy Emerson and Neale Fraser to proceed before their next commitment.
