Bové Montero hosts the 2026 HLB Sports Festival in Barcelona
Bové Montero hosts the 2026 HLB Sports Festival in Barcelona
The event took place at three landmark venues associated with the city, sport and innovation
This international gathering was organised around sport to promote inclusion, diversity, and integrity through football, running, padel and Pilates activities held throughout Saturday, 19 September, in Barcelona. The awards ceremony and closing event were held at Tech Barcelona.
The opening ceremony of the 2026 HLB Sports Festival in Barcelona was held at the Spotify Camp Nou and was presided over by José María Bové, president of Bové Montero, the organising firm; Bill Hagaman, Global Chairman of HLB International; and Berta Pérez, international director of the Cambra de Comerç de Barcelona (Barcelona Chamber of Commerce).
This annual global event brought together 240 professionals from the HLB International network, representing 17 countries. Its programme included football, running, padel and Pilates activities throughout Saturday, 19 September. Following the 2025 edition in Milan, Italy, the festival’s arrival in Barcelona coincided with Gaudí Year and the city’s designation as World Capital of Architecture, two initiatives that add to the city’s appeal.
Inclusion, diversity and integrity
The initiative promoted values such as inclusion, diversity and integrity through four sporting disciplines, with activities in and around Montjuïc. The 10km running route passed some of the e area’s best-known landmarks and began and ended at Ciutat Esportiva Damm, which also hosted the main competition, football, and the Pilates sessions. The padel tournament took place at Club Natació Montjuïc.
Barcelona: from sport to innovation through talent
“It was about combining sport, well-being and networking in a city that has become a global benchmark in many areas in its own right” said José María Bové, president of the organising firm Bové Montero y Asociados, which also represents HLB International Spain. HLB International is a global network of independent audit, tax advisory and accounting firms present in 155 countries. “At the same time, we wanted to highlight talent — an ability that is also relevant in sport — and the opportunities Barcelona offers in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship,” he added.
Reflecting this dual perspective described by José María Bové, the closing and awards ceremony of the 2026 HLB Sports Festival was held at Tech Barcelona, an international digital hub located at Palau de Mar.
Bové Montero y Asociados is a professional services firm with more than 48 years of experience. Its team of 160 professionals serves clients in seven languages. The firm’s international experience enables it to support foreign companies belonging to major international groups and assist them in their business activities. It has five offices in Spain: Barcelona, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Seville and Valencia.
Bové Montero y Asociados is a member of HLB International, a global network of auditors and advisers. Its member firms are leaders in their respective countries and offer a broad range of services, particularly in international matters. They share a commitment to tailored service and the highest standards of quality.