Guadalajara's 2026 Diving World Cup Canceled: Economic Impact Explained

Just days after Jalisco once again drew international attention due to an unprecedented wave of violence, global sports are also making headlines. The 2026 Diving World Cup, scheduled to take place in Zapopan, has been officially canceled. World Aquatics announced this decision on Thursday, February 26, following an “exhaustive risk assessment” stemming from the security context in Jalisco, particularly after the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, an event that triggered a surge of violence in the state. This leg of the international circuit was scheduled from March 5 to 8, 2026, in Zapopan, a key municipality within the Metropolitan Area of

and represented one of the most significant aquatic events on the calendar leading up to the circuit’s Super Final.

Public Safety: The Decisive Factor Behind the Cancellation

In its official statement, World Aquatics emphasized that the safety of athletes, coaches, delegations, and technical staff is a non-negotiable priority. The decision was made after consulting with Aquatics Mexico, the Mexican Diving and High Diving Federation, and CODE Jalisco, all entities already involved in organizing the event. While the international body acknowledged the efforts of Mexican authorities and prior collaboration, the analysis of the current public safety situation tipped the balance towards cancellation.

Implications for Athletes and the Competitive Calendar

From a sporting perspective, the cancellation has immediate effects. Divers, both Mexican and international, lose a key opportunity to accumulate points towards the World Cup Super Final. World Aquatics reported that:

Qualification for the Super Final, scheduled from May 1 to 3 in Beijing, China, will be determined exclusively based on results obtained at the Montreal leg.
The Mexican leg will no longer be considered within the scoring system. For national athletes, this entails a forced adjustment to their competitive planning and, in some cases, higher logistical costs to seek points at international venues.

Economic Impact of the 2026 Diving World Cup Cancellation in GDLA

While the Diving World Cup may not have the media magnitude of a FIFA World Cup, its cancellation nonetheless generates tangible and symbolic economic effects for Jalisco. Key areas impacted include:

Loss of Tourism Revenue: The cancellation halts the arrival of international athletes, technical teams, judges, and fans. This directly impacts:
- Hotel occupancy
- Restaurant consumption
- Transportation services
- Local commerce in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area
Investment without Immediate Return: Previous reports indicated that CONADE had already made significant payments for the rights to organize World Aquatics events in the region. With the cancellation, these resources lose their expected economic and social return.
Impact on Local Suppliers: Logistics, setup, private security, food, communication, and audiovisual services companies also face losses from contracts that will not be executed.