Walking Football Spain (WFS) has marked its 8th anniversary, celebrating a journey that began with a handful of enthusiasts and has grown into an energetic community of over 126 players in Benalmadena alone.
The non-profit club, a hub for football lovers over 50, reflects on its origins and the unique path that has made it a cornerstone of the Costa del Sol’s sporting scene.
The concept of walking football, a slower-paced, non-contact version of the beautiful game, emerged 20 years ago through ideas promoted by many, especially Barclays Bank. However, it wasn’t until May 18, 2017, that WFS took root in West Malaga when an advert invited players to the Estadio Santa María in Las Chapas, Elviria. Among the first six attendees were Fred and Keef, with Fred famously nudged to join by his wife, who saw the advert and encouraged him to get ‘out from under her feet.’
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By the end of its first year, WFS had grown to 24 players. However, limited pitch availability in 2018 prompted Keef to propose splitting games between Elviria and the Polideportivo in Benalmadena Pueblo, with one session per week at each venue. The club’s evolution took a significant turn during the COVID-19 lockdown, when restrictions allowed gatherings only within local regions. This led to the formation of three distinct WFS clubs – Benalmadena, Benahavís, and Calahonda – each proudly bearing a logo that blends the Andalusian and Spanish flags.
Today, the WFS website www.walkingfootballspain.com serves the Benalmadena club, which boasts a diverse membership of 126 players aged between 50 to 80 from various nationalities. “Fortunately, we don’t all turn up on the same day!” the club quips.
Unlike other walking football clubs in Spain that compete in a league with matches as far as Nerja, WFS Benalmadena prefers a casual “turn up and play” approach, with teams selected the night before to avoid extensive travel.
As WFS celebrates its 8th birthday, the club is in the best of health and looks forward to a bright future. It invites local people, and those just passing through and over 50 to join the fun at Benalmadena’s Polideportivo Municipal, where sessions are held Mondays and Thursdays at 10.30am. “We end on June 30 and resume 1st September, mostly because the school clubs take over Polideportivo and partially because it’s too hot! Happy Birthday to us,” the club declares, “and here’s to the future of Walking Football in Benalmadena!”
Source: https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/06/06/walking-football-spain-celebrate-8-years/
Author: The Walking Football
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