Verano Xul-Há 2026 Brings Sports, Music and Community Together in Chetumal

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Hundreds of people gathered in Xul-Há over the weekend for the Verano Xul-Há 2026 festival, a multi-day event combining sports, music, and community activities. Organized by the Othón P. Blanco municipal government, the program includes tournaments, live performances, and family-oriented events aimed at promoting social bonding and boosting local tourism.

Participating teams wrapped up their training at the venues set for the seven scheduled disciplines ahead of the event, while organizers put the finishing touches on the courts, sports areas, and main stage for the opening ceremony, performances, and awards.

The festival kicked off Friday with team registration and an opening ceremony led by Mayor Yensunni Martínez Hernández. She thanked the young participants and stressed that the gathering encourages teamwork, healthy coexistence, and youth development through sports and culture.

The first contest was a dance competition, with teams performing routines that combined coordination, creativity, costumes, and stage production. Lobos took first place, followed by B de Bellakos in second and Rockets GS in third.

The opening day closed with a performance by guest artist Dixson Waz, known as the “Rey del Shipeo,” who drew dozens of spectators to the main stage.

Saturday brought an intense lineup that included soccer, an obstacle relay race, tug-of-war, and a knowledge challenge.

In the soccer tournament, a mixed format had men play the first half and women the second, with women proving decisive in several matches. Lobos again claimed the top spot.

The obstacle relay was one of the toughest events, demanding strength, coordination, and stamina from every team member. Any runner who failed to complete the course eliminated the team, and B de Bellakos won the race.

Tug-of-war featured 12-member teams, with six men and six women per side. Bakab Balam emerged victorious thanks to its coordination and strength.

The day’s sports program concluded with a knowledge quiz, in which Lobos again finished first, showing the fastest and most accurate responses.

In the evening, the festivities continued with performances by Dixson Waz and DJ Diego, recognized as the official DJ for Malilla, drawing families, young people, and visitors.

The event concludes Sunday with a volleyball tournament and a kayak race on the Xul-Há lagoon, with those results determining the final overall standings for the participating teams.