Campo de Fútbol de Mendizorrotza

The Campo de Futbol de Mendizorrotza is a traditional European football stadium that was first built all the way back in 1924. It is the third-oldest football stadium still in use in Spanish football after El Molinon and the Mestalla.

That alone makes it a place worth visiting, as it’s uncommon to find a stadium as traditional-looking as this in the country.

What makes it extra special is the fact that it has only undergone major renovation work once. This work took place in the 1990s when the corners were filled in. This not only made the stadium bigger in terms of capacity but also helped to improve the acoustics and atmosphere.

It is in one of these corners that away fans are situated at the Campo de Fútbol de Mendizorrotza. Specifically, the away end is in the upper section of the corner between the Cervantes and Preferente stands. The view from here is perfectly fine, but the facilities leave a lot to be desired, as you might expect from a stadium this old.

Alaves fans aren’t known for being the loudest or most impressive in Spain, but that doesn’t mean to say they aren’t passionate about their team. Some of the chants you can expect to hear on a trip to the Campo de Futbol de Mendizorrotza include:

• Himno Alaves
• Esta Noche Tenemos Que Ganar
• Deportivo lolololo
• Hoy Te He Venido A Ver

Alaves fans have created their fair share of tifos over the year, something that isn’t all that common in Spanish football. Some of their best efforts can be seen below.

Vitoria, ready for war

Ultras culture

1921

Since the corners were filled in at the Campo de Fútbol de Mendizorrotza in the late 1990s, fans have been able to sit all the way around the pitch. The compact and small nature of each stand means that wherever you sit, you are going to feel close to the action, but there are still certain sections which are considered the ‘best’.

In terms of the view of the action on the pitch, fans should try to secure tickets in either the Preferente Stand or the Principal Stand. Both of these are located along the sides of the pitch on either side and are almost identical in size and structure.

Both stands are split into two small tiers, and the best views can be found either at the top of the lower tier or at the bottom of the upper tier. In the Preferente Stand, look for blocks 304-306 and 314-316. In the Principal Stand, aim for blocks 104-106 and 114-116.

If you would rather sit among the loudest Alaves fans, look to get tickets in the Polideportivo Stand behind one of the goals. This is where you will find the tifos and the ultras.

Seating plan

Some of the best bars and pubs near the Campo de Futbol de Mendizorrotza for football fans are as follows:

• O’Connors – C. El Prado, 11, 01005 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Spain
• Level Up – San Frantzisko K., 26, 01001 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Araba, Spain
• Carlingford – Zerkabarren Kalea, 22, 01001 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Araba, Spain

Although not inside the stadium exactly, the Bar Deportivo Alaves right outside the stadium is perfect for grabbing a pre-match drink and bite to eat. It serves tapas and cold beer right up until kick-off.

Inside the stadium itself, the options aren’t quite as nice. There are snacks and drinks, but if you want something substantial, you are going to want to eat outside the stadium.

In addition to the Bar Deportivo Alaves, there are plenty of other places to grab something to eat nearby. For the best foot options, though, you will want to head to Vitoria-Gasteiz. Our restaurant recommendations here include:

• Zaldiaran – Av. Gasteiz, 21, 01008 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Spain
• El Portalan – Hedegile Kalea, 151, 01001 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Araba, Spain
• Restaurant Arkupe – Mateo Benigno de Moraza Kalea, 13, 01001 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Araba, Spain

By car

Head southwest on Calle de San Prudencio towards Calle Eduardo Dato and then turn left onto Calle General Alava. Follow the signs for Avenida Gasteiz, and after about 1km, turn right on Calle Portal de Lasarte. The stadium will then appear on your right.

By public transport

The closest railway station to the stadium is Vitoria/Gasteiz, which is only a 15-minute walk away. If you don’t fancy the walk, then the best option is to just jump in a taxi from the station to the stadium. Bus routes 63, L2, L4 and L6 also drop fans close to the stadium.

The Campo de Futbol de Mendizorrotza currently has a capacity of 19,840, but it hasn’t always been this way. When it first opened in 1924, the official capacity was somewhere around the 8,000 mark, with large open terraces and a small main stand.

The stadium developed rapidly, and by the 1950s it had expanded to four stands around the pitch, with a capacity of approximately 15,000.

From 1997-1999, the corners were filled in, raising the overall capacity to 19,840. There have been discussions over expanding the stadium further in recent years, but nothing concrete has been agreed.

Alaves were formed in 1921, and for the three years before they moved into the Mendizorrotza, they played in a small ground on Camino de Lasarte.

Construction of the Mendizorrotza began in 1923 on land that had previously been farmland on the edge of the city. The stadium officially opened on 27 April 1924 with a match between Alaves and SD Deusto.

As mentioned earlier, the stadium was developed in the 1950s and then again in the 1990s, but the traditions have largely remained the same.

Record attendance

• 19,840 vs Real Madrid (2017)

Average attendances

• 2024/25: 17,318 (La Liga)
• 2023/24: 17,391 (La Liga)
• 2022/23: 14,028 (Segunda)

• Athletic Club
• Real Sociedad