Villarreal making four major stadium upgrades after La Liga approve key fixture request

Villarreal are continuing work on La Cerámica this summer as part of another phase of modernisation, with the club using the start of the new season to improve safety, upgrade entrances and circulation routes, and increase the stadium's capacity.

The work has also prompted Villarreal to request a change to their opening fixtures, with La Liga approving a schedule that will see the team begin the campaign with three consecutive away matches.

What is changing at Estadio de la Ceramica?

One of the main focuses of the project is improving safety, with six new access points being built that will also serve as emergency exits, while two new entrances will be added in the northern part of the stadium.

Selected service areas are also being enlarged and circulation routes redesigned to improve the movement of fans and make entry and exit easier to manage.

Villarreal are also carrying out further infrastructure work to ensure Estadio de la Ceramica meets modern domestic and European football requirements.

The redevelopment will increase the stadium's capacity beyond 22,000 for the first time, with the previous capacity limited to 21,332 seats for safety reasons.

Around 700 additional seats are expected to become available, although the final capacity will only be confirmed once the work is completed.

Those extra seats should allow Villarreal to increase their allocation for away supporters, while also providing additional capacity for European matches and organisational requirements.

The club currently has around 19,500 season-ticket holders, a figure expected to remain at a similar level.

Another key element of the project is a new building in the corner between Fondo Norte and the main stand, which will provide additional sporting and service facilities.

To allow the work to continue without matches being staged at a partially renovated stadium, Villarreal asked La Liga to begin the campaign with three consecutive away fixtures.

The request was approved, meaning the club will not return to Estadio de la Ceramica until matchday four on September 5, when Deportivo La Coruna will be the first visitors.

FGG Says: Villarreal's Estadio de la Ceramica upgrades should transform the matchday experience

Villarreal have taken a sensible approach by using the opening weeks of the season to allow work at Estadio de la Ceramica to continue without the pressure of hosting competitive fixtures.

The combination of improved safety measures, better circulation, new entrances and increased capacity should make a meaningful difference for supporters, while the additional seats will give the club greater flexibility for European matches and away allocations.

With Deportivo La Coruna set to be the first visitors in September, attention will turn to whether the completed project delivers the modern and improved matchday experience Villarreal are aiming for.