Portugal concluded the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games with 32 medals, including 16 golds, achieving its best-ever result in the competition.
Team Portugal finished its participation with 32 podium finishes: 16 gold, 7 silver and 9 bronze medals. The result surpasses Portugal’s previous record at the Mediterranean Games.
The sporting performance comes against a backdrop of the sector’s growing economic importance. In 2025, Portuguese exports of sports goods reached €728.8 million.
Bicycles accounted for €427.9 million in exports, equivalent to 58.7% of the total, while boats and water sports equipment represented €109.7 million, or 15.0%. Together, these two segments accounted for 73.7% of sports goods exports.
The sector’s business base has also been growing. In 2024, Portugal had 19,959 companies operating in the sports sector, up 10.4% from the previous year. These companies generated €2.953 billion in turnover and €1.181 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA), representing increases of 6.6% and 10.3%, respectively.
The results achieved in Taranto enhance Portugal’s international profile in sport, at a time when the Portuguese sports-related offering also has a significant business and export dimension.
The growth in sports goods exports highlights the international presence of Portuguese companies in areas such as bicycles, boats and water sports equipment, helping to raise the profile of Portuguese products in international markets.
The internationalisation of Portuguese goods and services is one of AICEP’s areas of activity, with the agency providing information on markets and business opportunities.
