El Sardinero

El Sardinero is an excellent destination for football fans, particularly for those who want to combine a game with a trip to one of northern Spain’s most attractive coastal cities.

The stadium is situated close to the Segunda Playa and El Sardinero beaches and around 30-minutes walk from Santander city centre, so there is plenty to do before and after the game.

Away fans sit in the southern end of the stadium, occupying parts of Preferencia Sur and, occasionally, Tribuna Sur. The away area is segregated from the home fans by metal fencing.

Away fans should also take time to experience Santander itself. The beaches of El Sardinero are a short walk from the stadium, while the city centre and waterfront offer plenty of options for food and drink.

Racing’s atmosphere is led by La Gradona de los Malditos, the club’s leading fan group. They sit in Fondo Preferencia Norte and encourage supporters to stand and sing throughout the game.

Some of the chants regularly heard at the ground include:

• Racing Santander Ale Ale
• En La Curva Yo Te Animare
• Hoy Te He Venido A Ver
• Como No Te Voy A Querer
• La Curva

For the best overall view, the central sections of Tribuna Oeste are recommended.

For the best atmosphere, Fondo Preferencia Norte is where you will find La Gradona de los Malditos.

Away supporters sit in the southern end, with Preferencia Sur and Tribuna Sur used for visiting fans.

There are several bars near El Sardinero, although supporters looking for a wider choice may prefer to drink in the city centre before making their way towards the stadium.

Bar Sardinero is one of the options closest to the ground, while La Tasca Stadium is located on Calle Real Racing Club. La Casa de Revert is also close to the stadium.

Santander is an excellent city for food, particularly if you enjoy seafood. Away supporters are encouraged to try local Cantabrian specialities such as rabas (fried squid), anchovies from Santona, sobaos pasiegos, quesada pasiega and traditional dishes such as cocido montanes.

Options close to the stadium are  Restaurante La Cania on Calle Joaquin Costa and De Morro Fino on Avenida de los Castros.

There are also plenty of restaurants along the seafront and around El Sardinero itself.

Getting to El Sardinero is relatively straightforward. The stadium is in the north-east of Santander, beside the Palacio de Deportes and Parque de Las Llamas, and is well served by public transport.

By bus

Numerous bus services run towards El Sardinero from central Santander. Routes serving the wider stadium and beach area include the 1, 2, 3, 6, 13, 15 and 20, with stops such as Los Agustinos and Campo de Futbol close to the ground.

Santander is relatively compact, however, so supporters staying in the centre may find walking to the stadium an enjoyable alternative.

By train

Santander’s main railway station is in the city centre. El Sardinero is several kilometres away, so the walk to the stadium takes around 30 minutes.

By car

Drivers approaching Santander from outside the city can use the A-67 and then the S-20, which provides direct access towards El Sardinero.

There is parking around the stadium and the surrounding sports complex, although matchdays can be busy.

El Sardinero is accessible for disabled supporters, although the stadium does have some limitations due to its age and design.

There are designated wheelchair spaces within the stadium, with an accessible entrance located at Gate 7. Accessible toilets are also available for supporters with reduced mobility.

It is recommended that disabled fans contact the club before purchasing tickets to discuss their requirements.

The club has acknowledged the need for improvements to accessibility and plans have been made.

Ticket prices for Racing games can vary depending on the opponent, stand and match category.

During the 2025-26 season, adult tickets were available from around €21. However, prices are set to increase for the 2026-27 season following Racing’s promotion to La Liga.

Supporters can expect tickets to generally range from around €25 -€75, although prices may be higher for fixtures against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

El Sardinero currently has a capacity of 22,308 spectators.

El Sardinero by stand:

Tribuna Oeste – Main stand
Tribuna Este – Opposite the main stand
Tribuna Norte – Behind the northern goal
Tribuna Sur – Behind the southern goal
Preferencia Oeste – Lower-level seating on the main-stand side
Preferencia Este – Lower-level seating opposite
Preferencia Norte – Home of La Gradona de los Malditos
Preferencia Sur – Includes the designated away-supporter areas

Guided tours of El Sardinero are available and offer access to areas such as the changing rooms, press conference room, pitchside and the club museum.

The tour costs £14 per person and is available in English and Spanish. Availability can vary, so supporters are encouraged to check the current schedule.

The current El Sardinero has been Racing Santander’s home since 1988 and shares a name with the club’s previous stadium, which stood nearby.

The original El Sardinero was opened in 1913, making it an important part of Racing’s history, before being demolished to make way for the new ground. The stadium was officially inaugurated on 20 August 1988, when Racing faced Real Oviedo.

The stadium has hosted some significant matches during its history, including Copa del Rey semi-finals and finals, Spain internationals and Racing’s UEFA Cup campaign in the 2008-09 season. It has also been used for concerts, with the likes of English rock band Muse and Enrique Iglesias playing shows at El Sardinero.

Due to its age, the stadium has undergone a number of improvements. The stadium has remained an all-seater venue, while the changing rooms, offices and hospitality areas have been modernised. In 2017, two large video screens were installed and the exterior was given a major facelift in Racing’s green and white colours.

Work has continued in recent years, including improvements to the seating and other facilities. The current capacity is 22,308, but the club are exploring plans for a more ambitious redevelopment that would significantly increase capacity.

Record attendance:

Average attendances:

Racing do not have a major local rival in the same way that many Spanish clubs do as they are by far the biggest team from Cantabria, but they are involved in several smaller rivalries and important historical fixtures.

Athletic Club

Athletic Club are generally regarded as Racing’s principal historical rival. The clubs are geographically close and their meetings have sometimes been described as the “duel of the North”. The rivalry has been relatively quiet in recent years because Racing spent 14 seasons outside the top flight, but Racing’s recent promotion brings the fixture back onto the LaLiga calendar.

Real Oviedo

Real Oviedo are another regional rival and the clubs have met regularly over the years. In fact, the current El Sardinero was inaugurated with a match between Racing and Oviedo in 1988.

In their most recent meeting in May 2025 Racing drew 1-1 with Oviedo at El Sardinero, while Racing won 3-1 in Oviedo the previous season.