Calling all adrenaline junkies and families. You are in for a treat as Estepona’s Plaza de Toros brings back one of Spain’s premier Freestyle Motocross spectacles on Saturday, July 18.

World-class riders confirmed for Estepona

VertiGO FMX wows visitors with six exceptional riders in this impressive open-air show. Abraham Parra headlines the line-up, having claimed victory at the 2024 Night of the Jump World Nations Championship in Munich, plus a third-place finish in the Spanish Championship and runner-up honours in the Spanish Cup.

Finnish rider Sebastian Westberg, formerly of the Red Bull X-Fighters roster, joins the bill with French veteran Brice Izzo, whose credentials include two World Championship podium finishes, third place in 2013, and a bronze medal at X Games Best Tricks.

Rounding out the roster are Nacho Crespo, an accomplished professional rider despite being just a young 16 years old, plus rising talent Di Dio and crowd favourite Kevin Sanchez, both known for pushing the discipline’s technical boundaries to their limits.

Tickets and full evening schedule announced

Gates open for VIP ticket holders at 7pm, meaning extra enthusiastic fans can get the opportunity to watch the riders warm up during a training session running until 8pm. A VIP meet-and-greet follows between 8pm and 8.30pm, giving fans the chance to have photos and autographs with competitors before the main show kicks off at 9pm.

General admission costs €20, with tickets available in advance through vertigofmx.com or at the bullring’s box office on the day itself. VIP packages add trackside seating, training-session access and the meet-and-greet experience described above. Organisers note that outside food and drink aren’t permitted inside the venue, though refreshments will be sold throughout the evening.

City council backs family-friendly event

Councillor Macarena Dianez, who oversees Culture and Festivals, formally presented the event this week together with riders Parra and Sanchez. Organisers have designed the evening as suitable entertainment for spectators of every age, promising jumps, stunts and freestyle tricks performed on motorcycles beneath the gorgeous warm summer night sky.

More information can be found via the Estepona Town Hall website

Crowded Estepona feria. Credit: Ayuntamiento de Estepona

Marbella is looking for new appeal further than its long-established draw for global millionaires. Decades of success in the Costa del Sol city rest on year-round fine weather, strong privacy measures and upscale living options. City leaders now want to push further with ambitions to make the area Europe’s own Silicon Valley equivalent.

It seems that startups favour the Costa del Sol location over most others. Luxury property developments sit near growing coworking facilities and office spaces. Property agents report a clear move away from mainly retired wealthy arrivals. Talent from many countries and age groups is now investing more in the destination.

Business centre head reflects on talent attraction

“In place of drawing those nearing retirement, young talent is arriving instead,” says Christian Rasmussen, chief executive of the business centre The Pool. Few places worldwide have such high talent levels. This represents a goldmine opportunity.” He remarked in a recent interview for Bloomberg. “Marbella’s future will differ greatly from its present form,” he explained. “Efforts now focus on altering views of Marbella, moving it from a leisure destination to a key base for contemporary professionals,” he told Bloomberg.

Property developers are currently aiming to create a lasting European base for international founders and investors. The location combines all the sunshine you could want with accessible luxury features similar to those in the United Arab Emirates.

International property investors getting younger

Pandemic years brought noticeable buyer changes. Pure Living Properties’ The Marbella 2025 market report identifies younger purchasers are now keen on full-year living and working arrangements. British, Scandinavian, German and Dutch buyers remain prominent, yet demand is growing from the United States, Canada, Poland and Gulf nations.

Artur Loginov, chief executive at estate agency Drumelia, observed clear progress. “New residents, investors and hotels reached Marbella after the pandemic and raised area standards. Once simply an attractive town, the place now operates as a full city,” he said. “Recent years delivered new gyms, restaurants, hotels and global brand outlets matching New York or Monaco levels.”

Marbella council on board

Local government initiatives are supporting this new direction. Cooperation between Marbella Council and centres such as The Pool is going out of their way to promote foreign business investment. Visits to China and the US with the mayor are being used to promote Marbella as an entry point to Europe. Infrastructure gains include expanded international schools and modern amenities that suit professional families.