Before I start, I have to admit there is a flaw in a club that claims to have the oldest stadium. It’s a bit like Trigger’s Broom (or Theseus’ Paradox if you’re that way inclined). Can something which has had all of its component parts replaced over the course of time remain fundamentally the same? Well, for the sake of this article, the answer is a resounding “Yes”.
So here are the 12 oldest stadiums in Spain. Just a couple of criteria apply: the current stadium must be on the site of the original ground, and it must have hosted a season in any of Spain’s top three tiers. So, in reverse order, in at number 12 is…
12) Estadio Mendizorrotza – Vitoria
Opened on 27 April 1924, Mendizorroza is home to Deportivo Alavés. Extensively redeveloped at the turn of the century, you can read more about Mendizorrotza here.
11) Las Llanas – Sestao
Originally home to Sestao Sport Club, Las Llanas staged its first match on 9 September 1923. Sestao Sport Club folded in 1996, and Las Llanas is now home to Sestao River Club. More on Las Llanas here.
10) El Madrigal – Villarreal
Opened on 17 June 1923, El Madrigal has served as Villarreal Club de Fútbol’s home for all but the first few months of its existence. It remained relatively basic until the club started its rise through the divisions in the 1980s. The history of El Madrigal/La Cerámica here.
9) Mestalla – Valencia
Valencia CF’s second home opened on 20 May 1923. Still defiantly old school, Mestalla is La Primera’s most atmospheric stadium, but for how much longer? Work has recommenced on the Nou Mestalla, so Mestalla’s days are numbered! You can read about Mestalla here.
8) Estadio Guadalquivir – Coria del Río
The Estadio Guadalquivir is the only home of Coria Club de Fútbol. Opened on 21 March 1923, the stadium hosted Segunda B football for three seasons from 1999. Read more here.
7) La Murta – Xátiva
The grandiosely named Club Deportivo Olímpic de Xàtiva play at the relatively simple Campo de La Murta. No precise date has been given for the date of inauguration, but municipal and club records say that football was first staged in 1922. More about the club and La Murta here.
6) El Malecón – Torrelavega
El Malecón first hosted a match on 2 October 1921, although it had to wait a further 10 months for its official opening when the Reina Victoria attended in August 1922. The stadium was rebuilt in 2010 whilst the home club Gimnástica ground-shared with local rivals Tropezon. Re-opened in January 2012, you can read more about El Malecón here.
5) Estadio El Collao – Alcoy
The Estadio El Collao was originally the home of Real Alcodiam Deportivo, and staged its first match on 28 August 1921. Several clubs used the stadium until Club Deportivo Alcoyano was formed in 1929, and played its first match at El Collao on 17 February. You can read more about El Collao here.
4) Campo de Les Caleyes – Villaviciosa
Founded in 1918, Club Deportivo Lealtad de Villaviciosa moved to Les Caleyes in 1919. The ground remained relatively undeveloped until the club reached the Tercera in 1990. Ahead of CD Lealtad’s first season in Segunda B in 1998, the current stand and clubhouse were constructed. Read more about Les Caleyes here.
3) Camp d’Esports – Lleida
Built as a gift to the city by the local Republican Movement, the Camp d’Esports opened on 1 January 1919 and has remained at the centre of all things football in Catalunya’s most northern region. The story of the Camp d’Esports can be read here.
2) El Rubial – Águilas
Inaugurated on 19 January 1913, El Rubial is the second-oldest football stadium in Spain. It has hosted football at a regional level for all but seven seasons, a period at the turn of the century when Águilas Club de Fútbol reached Segunda B. More on El Rubial here.
1) El Molinón – Gijón
It’s official! Sporting Gijón’s El Molinón is Spain’s oldest stadium. Official club records say that the ground was opened in 1908, although El Molinón can only claim to have occupied the same area of Parque de Isabel la Católicat since August 1917. You can read more about the granddaddy of all Spanish stadia here.
Estadios de España 