Historic Mercè to Host Elite Castells
On Sunday 27 September 2026, Barcelona’s Plaça de Sant Jaume will host the Diada Històrica Castellera, a highlight of the city’s annual La Mercè festival. The event will feature some of Catalonia’s most accomplished casteller colles, performing structures at the highest level of difficulty, known as gamma extra. Invited by Castellers de Barcelona, the host colla, three elite groups will take part: Minyons de Terrassa, Joves Xiquets de Valls, and Castellers de Vilafranca. The event begins at 12:00 with a cercavila castellera procession starting at 11:30 from Palau de la Virreina, leading the teams to the square.
Colles Aim for Gamma Extra Feats
Minyons de Terrassa will attempt the 5de9f, a structure they last loaded in 1995, and may attempt the pilar de 8 amb manilles, which they have not raised since 2019. Their recent performance in Sabadell on 6 September included the 2de9 amb folre i manilles, a key achievement heading into this weekend. Joves Xiquets de Valls are preparing the 2de9fm, the 4de9f, and the 3de9f, aiming to raise their level ahead of the Castells Contest. Castellers de Vilafranca, another top contender, may attempt the 3de9f, 4de9f, 9de8, and the pilar de 8 amb folre i manilles.
The Diada Històrica Castellera always offers an exciting, vibrant spectacle accompanied by the sound of gralles, as castellers build their human towers.
Castellers de Barcelona, the hosts, may attempt the 3de9f again after dismantling it twice at their local Mercè on 24 September. They also have the 5de8, 2de8f, and 7de8 in their repertoire.
Elsewhere in Catalonia
The first round of the XXX Concurs de Castells takes place in Torredembarra on Sunday, with 12 colles participating. The performance order will be determined by a draw on Friday 25 September. Groups that build a castell of 7de7 or higher will perform solo. In Lleida, Castellers de Lleida may attempt the 4de8 amb l’agulla for the first time in their history, following successful rehearsals. Capgrossos de Mataró and Nens del Vendrell are also scheduled to perform, with repertoire including the 7de8 and 4de8.
This weekend offers a rare concentration of top-level castell performances across Catalonia, culminating in Barcelona’s historic square.
For the full weekend agenda, visit elMonCasteller.cat.
Elsewhere in Catalonia on Catalan.News: Castellers return for La Mercè 2026 in Barcelona and Castellers de Sants and Gràcia shine at La Mercè.
Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat, barcelona.cat, mataro.cat, capitaleconomiasocial.mataro.cat, visit.santcugat.cat. Reported by elmoncasteller.cat, revistacastells.cat, eng.concursdecastells.cat, Torredembarra event, beteve.cat, minyons.cat, diaricatalunya.cat, Torredembarra acogerá el domingo 27 la primera jornada del Concurs de Castells, diarideterrassa.com.
