From Six Teams to Eighty-Four: How Steve Redfern Built Europe's Biggest Beach Rugby Weekend in Magaluf - Majorca Mallorca | Lyssna här

Oliver sits down with Steve Redfern, former Leicester, England and Sheffield Eagles prop, who seventeen years ago brought six teams to a beach in Mallorca and started what is now one of Europe's biggest beach rugby tournaments. This year's edition had 84 teams, six pitches, more women's teams than men's, and an estimated two million euros flowing into the Magaluf economy over one weekend. Steve talks about the pink card that stops fights, the German team that brings ham and flags, the referees who double as crowd entertainers, and why he has never introduced prize money. Plus: next year's dates are confirmed and bookings are already filling up.

Steve Redfern is a former professional rugby player (Leicester, England, Sheffield Eagles) and the founder and organiser of Mallorca Beach Rugby, one of Europe's largest full-contact beach rugby tournaments. He has been running the event on Magaluf beach for 17 years.

Steve Redfern: Leicester, England, Sheffield Eagles (late 70s/80s)
Retired from playing due to double retina detachment
Mallorca Beach Rugby: 17 years, started in Santa Ponza, moved to Magaluf year two
2026 edition: 84 teams (record), 6 pitches, 5,000-6,000 spectators
2027 dates: 1-2 May (opening party 30 April), first UK May bank holiday
Women's competition: now equal or more teams than men's
Vets tournament: 12 men's teams, 6 women's teams
Auburn: women's team from year two, still competing, won trophy this year
Bremen: German team, 12-13 years attending, tent/flags/ham tradition
Matthias: Bremen organiser
Pink card: players must kiss and hug to defuse tension
Roger Musi Memorial Trophy: named after late Mambo's DJ
Rules: 5-a-side, rolling subs, 4 mins each way, no scrums/line-outs
Sponsors: Tom Brown's, Blackbeard's, Crusoe's, Chili Lounge, the Square
Calvia Council support, Mayor (former Old Toro player) presents prizes
Pembroke: first team booked for 2027
Scottish national team once played under a fake name
Economic impact: estimated two million euros
Website: mallorcabeachrugby.com
Luna Radio: where Steve and Oliver first met

00:00 Intro / Steve's playing career (Leicester, England, Sheffield Eagles)
01:40 The retina detachment that ended his playing days
02:28 How Mallorca Beach Rugby started (Italy trip, Magaluf boys' weekend)
03:17 Year one in Santa Ponza, year two in Magaluf
04:52 From 6 teams to 84: the growth
05:18 Rules of beach rugby explained
06:13 The social side: rugby players in Magaluf
08:27 The pink card: kiss and make up
09:04 Why there is no prize money
10:19 Women's teams: from one to majority
11:50 Vets tournament and diversity of players
13:01 Bremen: the German team that defines the spirit
14:15 Roger Musi Memorial Trophy
14:46 Next year: dates, bookings, and how to enter
15:56 Economic impact: 5,000 people, two million euros
17:05 Calvia Council and the Mayor
18:25 Biggest beach rugby tournament in Europe?
19:00 Come and watch: why non-rugby fans love it

https://www.majorcabeachrugby.co.uk/

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