The debut of FC Barcelona’s men’s first team in the 2025–26 La Liga season had a truly luxurious prelude. The town of Maria de la Salut, located in the heart of Mallorca, was the setting for the 16th Meeting of Penyes of the Balearic Islands – a true culé celebration that brought together over 450 supporters representing 24 supporters’ clubs from the Federació de les Illes Balears. The host was the local entity, the Penya Barcelonista Maria de la Salut, which marked its 35th anniversary. The PB Sallent (Fed. Bages, Berguedà i Cerdanya) was also present. The gathering took place in the town’s Plaça del Mercat, where attendees enjoyed a big open-air celebration.
The strength of the supporters’ clubs in the Balearic Islands
FC Barcelona was represented by president Joan Laporta, accompanied by other board members and the Social Commission. Several former Barça players were also present, including Miquel Àngel Nadal and Joan Josep Estella (football), Juan Domingo de la Cruz (basketball), and Octavi Tarrés (roller hockey). Òscar Escoda, president of the Federació de Penyes de les Illes Balears, led the penyes movement’s representation alongside the rest of the board members of the Federation. Pere Jordà, president of PB Maria de la Salut, was the host.
On the institutional side, the event was attended by Jaume Bauzà, Minister of Sports and Tourism of the Balearic Government; José Marcial, Tourism Minister of the Mallorca Island Council; Jaume Ferriol, mayor of Maria de la Salut; and Catalina Soler, mayor of Felanitx. One of Mallorca’s most beloved figures, musician Tomeu Penya, also joined the celebration, sharing his culer passion with all the supporters.
The 16th Meeting of Penyes of the Balearic Islands once again highlighted the strength and vitality of the supporters’ clubs community in the region, as well as the excitement with which supporters approach the new competitive season. Barça’s 0-3 victory at Son Moix the day after the event capped off a very special August weekend for all the Balearic Islands supporters.
