Last July, the Community of Madrid announced a 2 million euro investment plan for Estadio de Vallecas, aiming to adapt the facility to LaLiga standards.

They no longer want to cover up the problems

However, this decision contradicts the opinion of Rayo Vallecano's president, Raúl Martín Presa, who continues to insist that a new stadium is a necessity. One of the arguments is the unfavorable Informe de Inspección Técnica de Edificios (ITE) report from 2023. This document assesses the technical condition of buildings and is required to ensure safety and maintenance. As reported by El Confidencial, the report reflects deficiencies in environmental protection, some of which may impact the structural safety of the building. Additionally, the report highlights "fire safety" deficiencies, as emergency exits have been blocked and emergency exit indications are incomplete or misleading.

The stadium had certain negative elements in the ITE, and logically, the Community, due to its commitment in the agreement, must invest to address these deficiencies. There is no other option, said Raúl Martín Presa, as quoted by Unión Rayo. Having a new stadium for the next 100 years is a survival obligation. Make the transfer and where is the new facility? In the same place or as close as possible to our stadium. If possible, it would be in the Puente de Vallecas district, and if not, in neighboring districts.

© Stephan Hoogerwaard

Renovation instead of construction

In an interview in February with the newspaper As, Community of Madrid President Isabel Díaz Ayusoexplained that the club needs a stadium adapted to the current reality. Rayo tells us they have already seen several plots, and we will soon begin negotiations. It’s about handing over the plots and paying for a new stadium, she said. However, Ayuso's initial approach has changed 180 degrees. Five months after Ayuso assured that continuing to play as Rayo at Avenida de la Albufera was increasingly unsustainable, it was decided that the team would remain at Estadio de Vallecas, and the stadium renovation would not start before 2025. Rayo will not leave Vallecas, and the Community of Madrid will finance the stadium's modernization. Specifically, it will invest a total of 2 million euros in the first phase of work, which will be completed in the second half of 2025 and will not interfere with matches. After this minor facelift, a more complex renovation will follow, lasting until 2027.

The first action will focus on the most urgent aspects, improving the quality of the Puente de Vallecas pitch and not posing any risk to fans and team staff. Specifically, tasks will include rust removal, pillar and wall replacement, beam renovation, ceiling replacement, facade renovation, and toilet modernization. The club will commit to work on the renovation of the locker rooms and the VIP box.

© Stephan Hoogerwaard