Morocco will host a major international e-foiling competition in Nador next month, bringing top riders to the Mediterranean coast for the sport’s first World Cup event in Africa. The Marchica E-Foil Trophy will take place from 8 to 10 May at the Marchica Lagoon Resort. It is part of the SFT Surf Foil World Tour 2026 and comes after earlier stages in Düsseldorf and Leucate. It is the third stop on the global tour.
Riders from several countries will compete for a prize pool of 100,000 MAD.
E-foiling is a watersport where riders use a board with an electric motor and a hydrofoil underneath. The foil lifts the board above the water, allowing smooth movement without relying on wind or waves. The sport is expanding fast, with the global market expected to pass $558m in 2026. New equipment is increasingly built with lighter carbon materials and modular batteries for both racing and leisure use.
The event will take place in the Marchica Lagoon, a protected wetland that has been restored in recent years by the Marchica Agency. The lagoon now covers about 115 km² and is classified as a RAMSAR site. Its calm waters make it suitable for high-speed foil racing.
The competition is being organised by Marchica Lagoon Resort and E-Foil Maroc. Partners include the Moroccan National Tourist Office, Marchica Med and the Oriental Regional Tourism Council. Gold partners include Red Bull, Petrom and Lynk & Co.
Tarik Kerdoudi, Commercial and Marketing Director at Marchica Lagoon Resort, said: “Hosting an event of this scale reflects our ambition to firmly position Marchica on the international map of leading tourism and sports destinations.”
The event also links to wider economic plans in Nador, where major infrastructure work is underway around the Nador West Med development. Officials hope sports tourism like this will help diversify the local economy.
The programme will include qualifying time trials, knockout races and cultural performances at the Atalayoun site. Weather conditions are expected to be mild, with temperatures between 22°C and 26°C.
