As part of the initiative, supported by the Autonomous Community of Madrid, Estadio de Vallecas is scheduled to be upgraded, allowing the Rayo Vallecano team to continue playing at the legendary venue. This first phase is just the prelude to a comprehensive renovation of this historic stadium.

Renovation instead of relocation

In February 2024, the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, caused quite a stir with her statements regarding the future of Rayo Vallecano's stadium. Indeed, she proposed the relocation of the venue from the Vallecas district, a move that caused huge controversy among both residents and supporters of the club. It argued that it was becoming increasingly problematic for the stadium to remain in Vallecas.

The reaction from the community was immediate and decisive. Rayo fans and Vallecas residents staged numerous protests demonstrating their dissatisfaction with the relocation proposal. There were demonstrations and the formation of human chains around the stadium, even in adverse weather conditions.

Rayo Vallecano fans have criticised the state of the stadium for years, highlighting its neglect. A survey accessed by daily newspaper El Confidencial reveals fans' dissatisfaction with the conditions of the facility. Many of them believe that the real reason for the proposal to move the stadium was to avoid costly renovations. Aitor Lagunas, in the prologue of Ignacio Pato's book Not a beast to be tamed. The centenary story of Rayo and Vallecas pointed out that the problem was not an unsustainable stadium, but an “unbearable” situation in conservative Madrid.

© Stephan Hoogerwaard

Last Friday, July 19, Mariano de Paco Serrano, Madrid's regional minister for culture, tourism and sport, announced plans to upgrade the Vallecas stadium. The project aims to ensure that Rayo Vallecano can continue to play at the venue. Work is expected to begin in 2025, with €2 million from the regional budget allocated for the first phase of the renovation. Despite the announcement of these plans, it has not been specified exactly what the comprehensive renovation of the stadium will consist of.

Portal Vallecas, a local newspaper, has welcomed the news of the planned upgrade with enthusiasm, highlighting that fans, residents and shopkeepers around the stadium have won a victory against speculation of a move. The jubilation is cautious, however, as it still cannot be considered definitive. A spokesman for the club's owner, Raúl Martín Presa, in an interview with El País, expressed satisfaction with the modernisation plans, but pointed out that this does not solve the fundamental problem of needing a new stadium with a capacity of at least 30,000.

© Stephan Hoogerwaard

Vallecas redevelopment as tourism policy point

The capital’s authorities are also planning various sporting events, such as an NFL American football game in 2025 at Santiago Bernabéu and a Formula One Grand Prix to be held on the streets of Madrid from 2026. According to the data, 14.5 million tourists visited Madrid in 2023, including 7.8 million foreign tourists, generating revenues of €16.675 billion.

The tourism sector currently provides around 7% of jobs in the region, with 255,000 employees. Madrid's authorities are aiming to increase the number of visitors from America and Asia by developing a variety of tourism products, such as art gallery tours, Spanish fashion, agri-tourism and culinary offerings.