Cinegética+SCI 2026 Opens Its Doors, Cementing Its Role as the Premier Gathering for the Rural and Hunting World
At 3:00 PM yesterday, Thursday, March 19, the thirteenth edition of Cinegética+SCI 2026 opened its doors to welcome, once again and right on time, all lovers of the countryside and hunting. As usual, even before the official opening, visitors and professionals were already gathering at the venue to reconnect and share impressions about their reference fair.
After the first walks and conversations along the aisles, the inaugural ceremony began at 5:00 PM. The first to speak was Mr. Ángel Asensio, President of the Chamber of Commerce and IFEMA Board Member, followed by Mr. Marcos Quintas, President of Cinegética+SCI.
Representing the Community of Madrid, Mr. Carlos Novillo, Minister of Environment, also spoke, highlighting the value of hunting and the role of the fair as a space for connection and dialogue within the sector.
Meanwhile, Mr. Francisco José Ramírez González, Minister of Forestry Management and Rural Affairs of Extremadura, emphasized his Ministry’s involvement in promoting sustainable and necessary hunting activities. He also highlighted the many projects carried out by his Directorate General in the field of conservation and management, expressing pride that the first stand visitors encounter upon entering the fair is that of the Extremadura region.
The ceremony was closed by the President of the Senate and Honorary President of the fair, Mr. Pedro Rollán, who affirmed hunting as a way of life—legal and essential for the conservation of rural areas—and an integral part of Spain’s traditions and identity. Rollán also highlighted the significant economic impact of hunting activities but emphasized their more human dimension: “respect for and conservation of the countryside and nature.” In a more personal tone, he added: “The best moments for a hunter are not the shots, but those spent with friends, enjoying the countryside and the butterflies that I still feel today, just like when I was a child the night before going hunting.”
Among the notable attendees at the inaugural ceremony were H.R.H. Archduke Jorge of Habsburg-Lorraine, Ambassador of Hungary; Mr. Daniel Martínez, Vice President of IFEMA; Mr. Antonio Luengo Zapata, Senator for Murcia; Ms. Carmen Pagador López, Senator for Badajoz; Mr. Laureano León Rodríguez, Senator for Extremadura; Mr. Pablo González Menéndez, Senator for Asturias; Mr. Jeff Meyerl, President of SCI; and Mr. Josep Escandell, President of the Royal Spanish Hunting Federation (RFEC).
Following the inauguration, the authorities toured several stands, including the Wildlife Museum, the area dedicated to hunting dogs—with packs and horn calls present—as well as the spaces of the RFEC, the Community of Madrid, and the SCI, among others.
Cinegética+SCI 2026 will remain open to the public from today, from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM, and on Sunday, March 22, from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
Cinegética+SCI 2026… much more than just a fair!