A dispute is escalating in Seville over the organization of one of the city’s largest music events — the Icónica festival. A group of sixteen promotion companies claims that city authorities committed serious violations when selecting the operating company to host the event in the iconic Plaza de España.
According to the complainants, the city administration granted the rights to use this historic site to the private firm Green CowMusic S.L. without holding an open tender or adequate public notice. The contract was signed for five years and later extended for another six, even though other market players had repeatedly expressed interest in holding similar events at the same venue.
The promoters argue that such practices violate principles of transparency and may involve administrative offenses, including abuse of power, misuse of city assets, and potential collusion in awarding contracts. They point out that, over the years, the city may have lost out on up to five million euros in revenue, as the rental fee, they say, is several times lower than the market rate for comparable venues in other cities.
One example cited is an offer from a company willing to pay a rental fee for space in 2026 that was significantly higher than current terms; however, the city administration left this request unanswered. According to promoters, this points to a clear preference for a single contractor and a lack of genuine competition.
Questions about city policy and new regulations
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Seville authorities are currently drafting a new municipal regulation to govern temporary cultural events on Plaza de España. However, representatives of the music industry believe this initiative fails to address the problem and is merely an attempt to retroactively justify decisions already made. They insist that when it comes to commercial use of public space, the law requires competitive tenders and full transparency in all procedures.
Promoters are concerned that the adoption of this new rule will continue to allow competitive procedures to be bypassed, potentially perpetuating favoritism and limiting opportunities for other market players. They are calling for a thorough investigation into how the festival organization rights were granted and demand that those responsible for any possible violations be held accountable.
Economic impact and expectations for the investigation
In recent years, the Icónica Festival has become one of the most prominent events in Seville’s cultural scene, surpassed in economic impact only by the city’s traditional festivities. According to promoters, the event’s total turnover has already reached 50 million euros, and with the contract extension, it could exceed 150 million. However, they believe that not everyone who could contribute to the development of the city’s cultural industry is benefiting from this.
The companies that filed the complaint hope the anti-corruption prosecutor will thoroughly investigate the situation and help restore justice. They believe that only openness and fair competition can foster the growth of cultural initiatives in Seville and prevent similar scandals in the future.
