Castilla-La Mancha approves the new public spectacles and leisure law

The Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha publishes this October 8, 2026, Law 6/2026, of October 1, on Public Spectacles and Recreational Activities of Castilla-La Mancha, which replaces the regulations in force since 2011 and establishes the regime of authorizations, schedules, accessibility, and sanctions for leisure and spectacle venues throughout the region. The regulation was approved by the Cortes of Castilla-La Mancha and promulgated by President Emiliano García-Page Sánchez in Toledo on October 1, and will enter into force three months after its publication in the bulletin.

The law consists of a preliminary title and six titles, 74 articles, one additional provision, four transitional provisions, one repealing provision, six final provisions, and two annexes, and expressly repeals Law 7/2011, of March 21, and the Order of January 4, 1996, which regulated the general schedule. The text expands its scope to spectacles held in open spaces and creates two new instruments: the Regional Commission for Public Spectacles and Recreational Activities of Castilla-La Mancha, a consultative body attached to the competent department, and the Regional Registry of Public Spectacles and Recreational Activities, with a section for final sanctions and another for personnel authorized for access control.

Prior authorization and distribution of competencies

Public spectacles and recreational activities are generally subject to a prior responsible declaration, but will require express authorization, among other cases, when:

• Temporary, portable, or dismantlable facilities or structures are used.
• The planned capacity exceeds 150 people.
• The event takes place in an open space or affects more than one municipality.
• Wild animals are exhibited in open spaces or pyrotechnic devices are launched.
• Sessions for minors or bullfighting spectacles and festivals are held.

City councils receive and verify the responsible declarations, authorize special schedules, and sanction minor and serious infractions; the regional Administration assumes very serious infractions and bullfighting matters. Local entities must adapt their municipal ordinances within one year, and the regulatory development of the law must be approved within the same period.

Schedules, accessibility, and mandatory insurance

Annex II establishes the general opening and closing schedule by type of activity, with a winter season (October 1 to May 31) and a summer season (June 1 to September 30). Opening may not be before 06:00 hours—10:00 if sound amplification equipment or live performances are used—and spectacles in open spaces may not exceed a closing time of 02:00 hours. On patron saint festivals or official local holidays, the schedule may be extended by up to two hours, and there will be no closing limit on December 24 and 31, and January 5.

The law guarantees universal accessibility in establishments and open spaces, with specific measures for people with physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities. Additionally, it mandates the subscription of civil liability insurance with minimum capital based on capacity:

• Up to 50 people: 150,000 euros.
• From 51 to 100: 300,000 euros.
• From 101 to 300: 600,000 euros.
• From 301 to 1,000: 900,000 euros.
• From 1,001 to 1,500: 1,200,000 euros.
• From 1,501 to 5,000: 2,000,000 euros.
• More than 5,000: up to 6,000,000 euros.

The minimum sub-limit per victim is set at 150,000 euros, and venues with a capacity exceeding 300 people must have qualified access control personnel.

Sanctions from 150 to 300,000 euros

The sanctioning regime classifies minor, serious, and very serious infractions, with the following amounts:

• Minor: from 150 to 2,000 euros.
• Serious: from 2,001 to 20,000 euros.
• Very serious: from 20,001 to 300,000 euros.

Very serious infractions include exceeding capacity with grave risk, holding shows without a qualifying license, or failing to comply with soundproofing conditions with grave risk to environmental health. Accessory sanctions include the disqualification of the qualifying license, suspension of activity for up to two years, and the seizure of assets, a measure through which the law seeks to neutralize the profit from so-called “rave parties.” Infractions expire after six months (minor), two years (serious), and three years (very serious), and the sanctioning procedure must be resolved within nine months.

The new law requires the hospitality sector, event promoters, concert halls, and city councils to review their qualifying licenses, schedules, and insurance policies before January 2027, when the regulation becomes fully applicable. The text also reinforces the protection of minors—sessions authorized for them must end before 10:00 PM—and recognizes the right of neighborhood associations to file noise complaints, with a response within a maximum period of one month.

Source: Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha, no. 194, October 8, 2026, section I (General Provisions), page 34560 (official reference: 2026/7267).