Estadio de Vallecas

By La Liga standards, the Estadio de Vallecas is rather modest, with a capacity of just 14,708. The small nature of the stadium makes it a welcome change for most Spanish supporters, particularly those who are used to watching matches at the Santiago Bernabeu and Camp Nou.

The stadium’s location is brilliant for away fans as it is located in the southeast area of Madrid, meaning there is plenty to see and do before and after kick-off. The transport links around Madrid are also excellent, as you would expect in a European capital city.

In terms of the stadium itself, what a setting! Situated in the heart of the Vallecas neighbourhood, the stadium is a throwback to old British football stadiums, with blocks of flats and houses surrounding the ground.

The design is certainly unique, too, with one end completely boxed off, meaning there are only three areas for supporters to sit.

Visiting fans are located in the upper section of the Upper Lateral Stand, which is located on one side of the pitch. This area is segregated from home supporters, and the view of the pitch from here is excellent.

The Ray Vallecano supporters do their best to create an intimidating atmosphere at the Estadio de Vallecas. Some of their most popular chants include:

• Vamos Rayo Que Somos los Mejores
• Vamos Rayo, te venimos a ver
• Todos Unidos
• Rayo, Rayo, Rayo
• La Vida Pirata

Rayo Vallecano’s ultra group are known as ‘Los Bukaneros’ and over the years, they have created several memorable tifos at the Estadio de Vallecas. Some of the most notable can be seen below.

We are IT

20 anos al abordaje

As mentioned, the stadium has a rather unusual design, particularly as it has been hosting La Liga matches for several years now. There are stands on three of the four sides, with one end completely shut off to all supporters.

The best place to sit inside the Estadio de Vallecas is in the Tribuna Preferencia, which is considered the stadium’s main stand. The stand is made up of two small tiers, but as long as you are close to the halfway line, you will have an excellent view of the action regardless of how high up you are.

The noisiest stand is often the South Stand at one end of the stadium, so if you want to sit in and amongst the atmosphere, try to get tickets here.

Seating plan

The best bars within walking distance of the Estadio de Vallecas are as follows:

• Meson Moreno – Av. de la Albufera, 141, Puente de Vallecas, 28038 Madrid, Spain
• Cafeteria Disan – Av. de la Albufera, Puente de Vallecas, Madrid Spain
• Cafeteria Lider – Av. de la Albufera, 145 Puente de Vallecas, Madrid Spain

Hot food is not sold inside the Estadio de Vallecas, so if you want to get a bite to eat, either find a restaurant nearby (more on that shortly) or grab some classic football food from the local vendors outside.

In terms of drinks, fans can purchase alcohol, hot and soft drinks from the kiosks inside. Alcohol cannot be consumed in view of the pitch.

Some of the best places to get something to eat before kick-off include:

• Taberna Bulgara – Av. de Pena Prieta, 82, Puente de Vallecas, 28038 Madrid, Spain
• Las 3 RRR – C. de Benjamín Palencia, 43, Puente de Vallecas, 28038 Madrid, Spain
• Restaurante Los Mariscos – Calle Ntra. Sra. de las Mercedes, 5, Puente de Vallecas, 28038 Madrid, Spain

The stadium is accessible from the centre of Madrid, making a pre-match session in the centre of Madrid (notably Plaza Mayor) viable. The easiest way to get to the Estadio de Vallecas is to board a metro from Madrid Atocha station to Portazgo on the M1 line. The stadium is less than a ten-minute walk away from this station.

If it’s a nice day, then you may even consider walking to the stadium from the centre of Madrid. It is around 5km away from Plaza Mayor in the city centre, and the walk takes around one hour and 15 minutes. If it’s a nice day, which it invariably is in the Spanish capital, then why not take a stroll to the stadium, stopping at different bars en route?

If you are driving, head southeast from central Madrid and follow signs for Avenida de la Ciudad de Barcelona. Once on this road, remain on it until you pass through the residential area of Puente de Vallecas. The stadium will then appear on your right.

The Estadio de Vallecas currently has a capacity of 14,708, but it has previously been bigger than this.

When the stadium first opened, it could hold around 20,000 fans due to the presence of large standing areas, which were common in football stadiums at the time. In 1996, following updated safety regulations in Spanish and European football, these standing sections were converted into all-seated areas. As a result, the capacity dropped to 15,500.

A further reduction occurred in 2011, when structural and safety changes were made to modernise the ground. The removal of perimeter fencing in front of the stands at the stadium required additional space between the stands and the field.

Proposals have recently been made to boost the capacity to 20,000, but work is yet to begin.

Despite its modern size, the Estadio de Vallecas has hosted several major concerts over the years, most notably Queen in 1986. That performance turned out to be one of the final-ever Queen concerts with the original members.

Some of the other standout names to have performed here include:

• Miguel Rios
• Luz Casal
• Barricada
• Metallica
• Bob Dylan

As a community club, Rayo Vallecano have a relatively modest ground history. After being founded in 1924, they spent their first 30 years playing at both the Campo de la Calle de la Erillas and the Camp del El Rodival. Neither of these grounds were much to write home about, and in 1954, the decision was made to move on to bigger and better things.

The club’s first more established home came with the original Campo de Futbol de Vallecas, which they used from 1957 to 1972. This was then completely rebuilt in the 1970s and became known as the Estadio de Vallecas.

• 2024/25: 12,879 (La Liga)
• 2023/24: 12,758 (La Liga)
• 2022/23: 12,525 (La Liga)

• Getafe
• Real Madrid
• Atletico Madrid