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Basketball Beyond Barriers: Spain’s ACB League Launches Inclusive Championship

Valencia, Spain – A new chapter in inclusive sports unfolded on January 17th, 2026, at L’Alqueria del Basket in Valencia, with the launch of the Copa Campeones – a basketball league designed for players with intellectual disabilities, spearheaded by the Spanish ACB League. The initiative, born from the Fundación ACB, marks a significant step towards greater inclusion in professional sports and a broader societal shift in perceptions of ability.

The league, currently in its inaugural season, involves all 18 clubs of the ACB, Spain’s top-tier professional basketball league. While the first season consists of three events, each featuring six teams, organizers envision a rapidly expanding schedule. “This first season is a small start, with each team participating just once, but the important thing is that these athletes have a space within the teams, in their day-to-day lives,” explains Noelia Blanes, of the ACB’s institutional and protocol area.

The Copa Campeones, a playful nod to the acclaimed Spanish film “Campeones” and the prestigious Copa del Rey basketball tournament, isn’t about crowning a champion. Instead, it prioritizes participation, personal growth, and the fostering of camaraderie. All players are recognized for their effort and dedication, regardless of their team’s performance.

“Competing is secondary,” says Blanes. “Everyone wins. There’s no champion or runner-up. We reward everyone equally for their improvement and participation.”

The genesis of the project dates back to 2019, when the Fundación ACB began exploring ways to leverage the power of basketball for social good. “We started with anti-bullying campaigns, but when we began brainstorming projects for the Foundation, supporting basketball for people with intellectual disabilities immediately came to mind,” explains a Fundación ACB representative. “It aligns perfectly with the core values of basketball – teamwork, inclusion – and offers a powerful avenue for social integration.”

The response from the ACB clubs has been overwhelmingly positive. The inaugural event saw strong support from the professional teams, with players attending to cheer on their counterparts and families traveling to Valencia to witness the historic occasion. “The level of humanity we witnessed that first weekend was incredible,” says Blanes.

Beyond the games themselves, the Copa Campeones aims to challenge stigmas surrounding intellectual disability and demonstrate the capabilities of these athletes. Teams are mixed-age and mixed-ability, and players were given the option to adapt the rules – an offer they declined, opting to play by the standard regulations. “We want to show that basketball is for everyone, and they are proving they are just as capable as anyone else,” says Blanes.

The Fundación ACB is documenting the stories of the players through a forthcoming documentary, highlighting the personal journeys and challenges overcome by those involved. One player travels twice a week from Castelldefels to Badalona for training, while another requires a pre-game rendition of “Happy Birthday” to calm his nerves. These anecdotes, the Fundación hopes, will underscore the transformative power of sport and the importance of providing opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The initiative comes at a crucial time. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability. In Spain, data from the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) indicates that around 8.6% of the population has a disability, with intellectual disabilities representing a significant portion. Initiatives like the Copa Campeones are vital in promoting inclusivity and challenging societal barriers.

Looking ahead, the Fundación ACB plans to expand the league, aiming for monthly competitions and a championship phase in future seasons. They are also actively seeking corporate partnerships to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.

“We want to make this league bigger and better, and the response we’ve received so far has been incredibly encouraging,” says Blanes. “But above all, we want the players to have fun, feel included, and show the world that, despite any limitations, they can live full and meaningful lives – and that basketball is a perfect tool for social cohesion.”

The next Copa Campeones events are scheduled for March 13-15 at Nou Congost in Manresa and May 8-10 at Bilbao Arena.