Ibiza has been shortlisted among 16 European destinations competing for the new European Capital of Tourism 2027 title, placing the island among the destinations selected to progress to the next stage of the European Commission competition.

Ibiza is one of eight destinations shortlisted in the category for cities and destinations with between 25,000 and 100,000 inhabitants.

The shortlist was announced by the European Commission following an independent expert evaluation of applications from across Europe.

Ibiza reaches the next stage

The 2027 competition brings together two previous European tourism initiatives under a single European Capitals of Tourism title.

Applications were assessed on areas including sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation, cultural heritage, creativity and support for local talent.

The European Commission received 40 applications from 17 countries in the category covering destinations between 25,000 and 100,000 inhabitants.

Ibiza has now progressed alongside seven other destinations in that category.

Eight destinations shortlisted in Ibiza's category

The Category 2 shortlist consists of:

• Calais, France

• Calvià, Spain

• Geestland, Germany

• Ibiza, Spain

• Nova Gorica, Slovenia

• Sandanski, Bulgaria

• Selçuk, Türkiye

• Zadar, Croatia

The eight destinations were selected following the expert assessment of their applications.

The European Commission originally expected four destinations to progress in each category. It expanded both shortlists to eight after several applications received the same evaluation score and the overall quality of the submissions was considered high.

A new European tourism competition

The 2027 edition represents a change to the previous European tourism award structure.

The European Commission has brought together the former European Capital of Smart Tourism and European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions under the new European Capitals of Tourism title.

The competition continues to focus on destinations developing approaches to sustainability, accessibility and digitalisation, alongside cultural heritage, creativity and local talent.

Ibiza will present its candidacy in Brussels

The next stage will take place in Brussels on 18 and 19 November 2026.

Representatives from all 16 shortlisted destinations will present their proposals to the European jury.

Following those presentations, the jury will select two destinations to receive the European Capital of Tourism 2027 title.

This means Ibiza has not yet been selected as a European Capital of Tourism. It has progressed to the presentation stage of the competition, with the final decision still to come.

What the evaluation covers

The competition is not based simply on visitor numbers or the international profile of a destination.

The European Commission says the applications were assessed on innovative practices in sustainability, accessibility and digitalisation, together with support for cultural heritage, creativity and local talent.

The criteria place the emphasis on how destinations approach tourism and develop their tourism models.

Ibiza and Calvià represent Spain in the shortlist

Spain has two destinations in the Category 2 shortlist: Ibiza and Calvià.

Their inclusion means both Balearic destinations will present their respective candidacies alongside destinations from France, Germany, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Türkiye and Croatia.

The shortlist therefore includes a mixture of established European tourism destinations and smaller cities and destinations seeking recognition for their approaches to sustainable tourism.

Two titles will be awarded

The 2027 competition will result in two destinations receiving the European Capital of Tourism 2027 title.

One winner will come from each of the two categories.

The first category covers cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, while the second includes destinations with between 25,000 and 100,000 inhabitants.

Ibiza is competing in the second category.

The decision comes in November

For Ibiza, the next important date is 18 November, when representatives will present the island's candidacy in Brussels.

The presentations will continue on 19 November, after which the European jury will select the two 2027 winners.

Until that decision is made, Ibiza remains a shortlisted destination rather than a confirmed European Capital of Tourism.

The latest stage nevertheless places Ibiza among 16 destinations recognised by the European Commission's 2027 competition and gives the island an opportunity to present its tourism strategy on a European stage.