‘La Petanca del Año’ Takes Over Spanish Television with Star-Studded Showdown
On April 23, 2026, David Broncano’s popular late-night show La Revuelta transformed into a national spectacle as it aired “La Petanca del Año,” a highly anticipated petanca tournament featuring celebrities and professional players.
The event, which had been promoted for weeks on the program, pitted two celebrity-led teams against each other in a format designed to mimic major sporting spectacles. Team Anacondas, captained by Jorge Ponce, included folk singer María del Monte, actress Clara Galle, rapper and boccia champion El Langui, national open champion Rosa Barranquero and world, European, and Spanish petanca champion Jesús Cacho. They faced off against the Pumas de San Rafael, led by Broncano himself, with actor Miguel Ángel Muñoz, writer Juan José Millás, Lalachus, European and world champion Sara Díaz, and president of the Spanish Petanca Federation Antonio Pérez Arcas.
After a competitive match, the Anacondas secured victory thanks to a remarkable play by Jorge Ponce, overcoming an early deficit in what Broncano described as a fulfillment of a viewer’s request to “return petanca to the place it belongs.”
The special aired in prime time on La 1, marking a strategic shift for RTVE after recently reducing La Revuelta’s Thursday night presence. Just one week after scaling back the show’s late-night slot, the network restored its full prime-time presence with this entertainment-driven sports parody, drawing comparisons to events like the Super Bowl and Ibai Llanos’ “Velada del Año.”
Beyond the competition, the night featured the debut of an official anthem for the event, released on YouTube ahead of the broadcast, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Industry observers noted the ratings impact, with La Revuelta rebounding in key time slots while other programs, including Supervivientes, struggled to maintain viewership during their respective galas.
The broadcast highlighted the growing trend of traditional Spanish game shows being reimagined as high-production entertainment events, blending humor, celebrity appeal, and competitive spirit.
