Playa del Carmen Prepares Third Xaman-Ha 2026 Shore Fishing Tournament

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The municipal government here is organizing the third edition of the Xaman-Ha 2026 Shore Fishing Tournament, set for Sunday, Nov. 22 at Playa Paraíso, with anglers, families and visitors expected to take part.

Officials billed the event as part of an effort to diversify the resort city’s tourism offerings, strengthen sports and recreational activities and promote the conservation of marine resources.

At the official presentation, Estefanía Hernández, secretary of Economic Development and Investment Attraction, said the tournament also fosters family bonding, boosts the local economy and adds a new tourism draw for the destination. She was accompanied by Alejandro López, director of Agricultural and Fisheries Development.

Hernández said recreational fishing is a strategic activity for Mexico, generating more than $2 billion a year in economic activity, while in Quintana Roo and the Mexican Caribbean it is growing at an annual rate of 20 percent.

She credited organizers, sponsors and collaborators for keeping the tournament going and reiterated that the municipal government, led by Mayor Estefanía Mercado, remains committed to initiatives that support sport, community identity and economic development.

Schedule and prizes

Yeremías Ayca, a member of the organizing committee, said the competition will run from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and described the third edition as the consolidation of a project born from anglers’ desire to share the activity with more families.

Joako Walfish, a local influencer and tournament organizer, said a central goal is to promote catch-and-release fishing, species conservation, reef care and protection of the marine ecosystem, while drawing younger generations into the sport.

The contest carries a prize purse of 20,500 pesos, split among the top four places:

• First place: 10,000 pesos
• Second place: 6,000 pesos
• Third place: 3,000 pesos
• Fourth place: 1,500 pesos

Organizers will also hold a free children’s tournament for boys and girls aged 6 to 12, who must take part accompanied by a parent or guardian. Special recognition will go to women participants, and prizes will be awarded to teams that stand out in waste-collection activities.

Pre-registration will take place the day before the competition. Organizers said they will announce the location and registration procedure in advance.