Estadio de la Ceramica

The Estadio de la Ceramica is a decent stadium for away fans, both domestically and for fans travelling from across Europe for UEFA fixtures. The stadium only has a capacity of 23,008 seats, which makes it one of the most compact in the Spanish top flight.

The size of the stadium has drawbacks and positives for away supporters. On one hand, it means that a typical allocation for Villarreal away is small, with the average number being around the 1,100 mark. On the other hand, fans feel close to the action and create a lot of noise due to being squeezed in.

The away section at the Estadio de la Ceramica is located in the upper tier of the Fondo Norte (North Stand) at one end of the stadium. This stand is very steep, which means you will feel on top of the action from the away end, which is another positive about the trip to the Estadio de la Ceramica.

The facilities inside the stadium are basic, but you can get yourself a drink from the concourse and the toilets are perfectly fine.

Estadio de la Ceramica to host one fewer La Liga match this season

Villarreal will play one home match away from the Estadio de la Ceramica during the 2025/26 season after it was announced that the match between Villarreal and Barcelona in December will take place in the USA.

The match was scheduled to be played at the Estadio de la Ceramica as normal, but it is now expected to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

The decision is one that has gone down like a lead balloon, both in Villarreal and across the footballing world. Many fans now fear that the decision to play a La Liga match overseas has opened up a can of worms, and other leagues could now follow suit.

The Estadio de la Ceramica has four stands, like most football stadiums, but each one varies in size. The North Stand and the Main Stand are the only two stands at the stadium to have a second tier, but the one attached to the Main Stand can barely be classed as that, due to its small size.

The best views of the action can be found in either the Main Stand on the east side of the stadium or in the Grandstand on the west side of the stadium. You are going to want to secure a seat as high up as possible in either of these stands and in one of the central blocks.

If you are more concerned about being in and amongst the club’s vocal supporters, then you should try and get tickets in the South Stand. This is the end of the stadium directly opposite the away end and is where most of the atmosphere is generated from.

Seating plan

The Estadio de la Ceramica is located in the north of Villarreal. Although the football club is one of the biggest in Spain, the town itself is tiny, so walking is the most obvious way to get to the stadium from the town centre. This should only take around ten minutes.

For fans coming from further afield, you need to get the train to Vila-real station. From here, the stadium is around a 20-minute walk. As Villarreal is only a small town, the station isn’t always the easiest to get to, but there are direct links to and from Valencia, which is around an hour away.

For European away matches, a lot of fans elect to stay in Valencia and get the train into Vila-real ahead of kick-off.

As mentioned, the Estadio de la Ceramica is located to the north of the town centre, so there are plenty of pubs and bars in the area. Three of our recommendations are:

• 1800 Cocktail Bar – Carrer Mestre Goterris, 10, bajo, 12540 Villarreal, Castellon, Spain
• Vila-Beer Irish Bar – Carrer Valencia, 56, 12540 Vila-real, Castello, Spain
• Bar el Belga – Placa Llaurador, 14, 12540 Vila-real, Castello, Spain

You will find plenty of restaurants near the stadium, a lot of which sell traditional Spanish dishes, including paella and tapas. There are also several international cuisines on offer, meaning there will be something on offer for everyone.

Three of our restaurant recommendations include:

• Asoko Vila-real – Av. Del Cedre, 7, 12540 Villarreal Spain
• Restaurante El Ceramista – Estadio de La Ceramica, Plaza El Labrador, s/n, Carrer Blasco Ibanez, 2, 12540 Villarreal, Castellón, Spain
• Restaurante Al D’Emilio – Carrer Pere Gil, 3, 12540 Vila-real, Castelló, Spain

The Estadio de la Ceramica currently has a capacity of 21,332, but it has gone through several design changes over the years.

It first opened in 1923, but the overall capacity back then was a mere fraction of what it is now. There was standing room only at this point, but over the years, the club have built on the land to erect new stands.

The first stand was built in the 1960s, while two more followed in the 1970s. By the end of the 1980s, the stadium had four stands wrapped around the pitch, at which point it became something that resembles what it is today.

The most recent significant renovation work to take place at the stadium was in the late 90s and early 2000s to mark the club’s 75th anniversary. The South Stand was demolished and replaced with a new, more modern stand with a roof and a VIP section. The new North Stand was also built at this point, while the Grandstand was expanded.

Villarreal’s biggest rivals are Valencia, as the two clubs are the biggest in the Valencian Community. Clashes between the two clubs are known as Derbi de la Comunitat, and there has been a dynamic shift over the past decade, with Villarreal consistently finishing higher than Valencia in la Liga.

The stadium itself is one of the biggest tourist hot spots in Villarreal, which isn’t a surprise when you consider the capacity of the stadium is 50% of the town’s population, illustrating just how small a place Villarreal is. Other places worth checking out while you’re in the area include:

• Ruta Botanica
• Arciprestal San Jaime
• Casa del Mundina
• Mercat Central

Villarreal tickets vary in price depending on the opposition and the location in the stadium you want to sit, so your best bet is to check the official Villarreal website for ticket prices for the match you wish to attend. As a general guide, prices range from €30 – €300.

Record attendance

24,450 – Villarreal vs Barcelona (2016) set during a 2016 match between Villarreal and Barcelona

Average attendances

• 2024-2025: 18,266 (La Liga)
• 2023-2024: 17,957 (La Liga)
• 2022-2023: 16, 403 (La Liga)
• 2021-2022:  14,293 (La Liga)