Rayo Vallecano, the Spanish football club featuring Romanian international Andrei Rațiu, has devised a contingency plan to relocate to a temporary home if it does not receive permission from the Madrid Community to use the Estadio de Vallecas for the upcoming La Liga season.
The selected venue is El Plantio, the home ground of Burgos CF, a team competing in Spain’s second division, as reported by Marca.
El Plantio: A Temporary Solution for Rayo Vallecano
This decision serves as a precaution amid ongoing negotiations with authorities that might prevent the use of Estadio Vallecas.
The club sought alternatives to comply with regulations, reaching out to several clubs in La Liga and La Liga 2, ultimately considering the Burgos option.
El Plantio has a seating capacity of 12,642 and was opened on September 13, 1964. The first official match there ended in a 2-0 victory for Burgos CF against SD Indauchu.
Situated by the Arlanzon River, the stadium features a unique setting for football matches. Its design draws inspiration from English stadiums, with stands located close to the pitch, fostering an intense atmosphere for fans.
Located 250 kilometers from Vallecas, the club is also engaging with local authorities about projects aimed at expanding El Plantio’s capacity to over 19,000 seats and modernizing the venue, although the final design remains under discussion.
Other considered venues included stadiums from Leganes, Valladolid, and Albacete, all of which were informed of the final decision. The option at Leganes was deemed the most logical due to its proximity and logistics, yet an agreement could not be reached. Valladolid was ruled out due to ongoing renovations at the Nuevo Jose Zorrilla Stadium, while Albacete’s response was less favorable.
Rayo Vallecano’s priority is to play at home. The club has been working diligently to ensure that the Vallecas stadium meets La Liga’s approval standards.
If the Madrid Community grants permission for the use of Estadio Vallecas, the team will continue their home games in their local area. Otherwise, they will shift their matches to Burgos, 250 kilometers away.
The team’s home opener is scheduled for August 20 against Deportivo Alaves.
Reasons Behind the Stadium Relocation
The Madrid Community government has temporarily revoked the concession for Estadio de Vallecas, initiating urgent repair work due to findings from a technical audit that revealed the facility’s poor condition, lack of safety documentation, and deficient electrical and fire safety systems. These repairs are expected to take up to six months.
