Fifa has chosen San Sebastián as one of the venues for the 2030 Football World Cup. The residents of the Basque city, already affected by overtourism and gentrification, are not having it.
In San Sebastián, in the Spanish Basque Country, a citizens' movement has launched an determined battle against the city's designation as a host venue for the 2030 Football World Cup. The protest has emerged in response to the rise in tourism and its socio-economic consequences, with the aim of preserving the quality of life of residents. The backdrop is, in short, one of gentrification and overtourism, with the Basque city having experienced a surge in visitors in recent years and a dizzying rise in housing prices, with many properties redirected towards the short-term rental market. In recent months, much as happened in Barcellona, the people of San Sebastián have also taken to the streets against rampant tourism. The city's mayor, Eneko Goia, however, has harshly criticised the stance taken against the Football World Cup.
At the end of 2024, Fifa, the international federation responsible for organising football competitions, announced the stadiums that will host the 2030 Football World Cup, split between Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Among the chosen cities is San Sebastián, in the Basque Country, which has established itself in recent years as one of Spain's leading tourist destinations.
Between 2015 and 2024, the number of tourists in San Sebastián increased by 78 per cent, leading to a steep rise in property prices and making it increasingly difficult for residents to see their right to housing upheld. Today the Basque city ranks third in Spain for rental costs, which have risen by 21 per cent over the past four years. This phenomenon has led to the displacement of many inhabitants, transforming the city into a luxury tourist destination at the expense of the local community's needs.
Overtourism, a phenomenon that occurs when a tourist destination suffers an influx of visitors that exceeds its capacity to accommodate them, is a deeply felt issue in the city. Last October, a highly attended demonstration against rampant tourism took place in its streets, where rights such as the right to housing were demanded and appeals were made to institutions to curb unrestrained touristification. Fifa's decision to award San Sebastián some of the matches for the 2030 Football World Cup has sparked considerable controversy. While the city's political institutions, such as mayor Eneko Goia, have viewed it as an opportunity for new urban investment and to further enhance the Basque city's attractiveness, several citizens' associations have seen it as a final blow to an already critical situation. And they have raised their voices in protest.
The protest movement against Fifa's decision is led by several neighbourhood associations and local civic groups, including Bizilagunekin, which represents a network of over 50 organisations committed to fighting mass tourism. These include associations such as Stop Evictions and the Ulia Neighbourhood Association, united by concern over the impact of tourism on residents' daily lives.
The associations signed a letter, sent to Fifa, in which they emphasise that the awarding of the World Cup would further exacerbate these problems, favouring commercial interests at the expense of citizens' rights. In particular, they fear the event will lead to an increase in property speculation and the creation of infrastructure exclusively serving tourists, as well as security measures that would restrict residents' freedom of movement.
Fifa has not responded to the appeal from the Basque citizens' associations. The mayor of San Sebastián, Eneko Goia, dismissed the associations' concerns, highlighting the city's track record in hosting international events and its pride in the global profile it has acquired. He also suggested that the criticism came from a minority and that the city should be proud of its international recognition.
The protest in San Sebastián reflects a broader movement across Spain against overtourism and gentrification, which has been most widely discussed in relation to Barcellona, which is experiencing the very same issues on an even larger scale. Local associations are calling for a change in the tourism model, placing residents' needs at the centre and seeking to preserve the city's cultural and social identity.