Mestalla
The steepest stadium in Europe, home of Valencia CF and a historic venue for Spain's national team.
Mestalla Stadium (Spanish: Estadio de Mestalla, Valencian: Estadi de Mestalla) is a football stadium in Valencia, Spain. It is the home of Valencia CF and has a capacity of 49,430 seats, making it the 8th-largest stadium in Spain and the largest in the Valencian Community. Opened on 20 May 1923, the stadium's name originates from the historic irrigation canal of Mestalla, developed during the Moorish dynasty between the 10th and 11th centuries. Since January 2020, it has been the oldest stadium in La Liga. Mestalla is considered one of the steepest stadiums in the world and is commonly recognized as the steepest in Europe. The highest tier reaches an incline of approximately 34–35 degrees, very close to the legal safety limit established by FIFA and UEFA (37°). The Mestalla is a UEFA category four stadium.
- First National Match
- April 19, 1931 (vs Italy)
Lore & Background
The Estadio Mestalla was inaugurated with a friendly match on 20 May 1923 between Valencia and Levante. During the Civil War, the Mestalla was used as a concentration camp and storage warehouse. It was severely damaged by the flood of October 1957 when the Turia River broke its banks. In 1969, the stadium's name was changed to Estadio Luis Casanova, to honour club president Luis Casanova Giner; the change lasted until 1994, when Casanova requested the name be returned to Mestalla. In 1982, it hosted matches of the final stage of the FIFA World Cup in Spain. It hosted five matches of the Spanish Olympic Team during the 1992 Olympic Games. In 2025, it hosted the second leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. It has been the venue for ten Copa del Rey finals.
In Their Own Story
The Mediterranean sun beats down on the terracotta tiles as the air inside Mestalla grows thick with anticipation. The crowd, a sea of red and yellow interspersed with Valencia's white and black, rises as a single entity when the national anthem begins to play. There is no noise before this moment; only the rustle of flags and the collective holding of breath. As the first whistle blows, the stadium erupts, the sound bouncing off the curved stands, creating a wall of sound that seems to push the players forward. Every tackle, every pass, echoes in the hallowed ground where legends have walked before them.
Reader's Guide
The Mestalla held the Spain national football team for the first time in 1925. It was chosen the national team's group venue when Spain staged the 1982 World Cup, and at the 1992 Summer Olympics held in Barcelona, all of Spain's matches up to the final were held at the Mestalla. The stadium has also been a temporary home for Levante, home of the Spain national football team and exile for Castellón and Real Madrid in the European Cup. Transport: Metro – Aragó station (Lines 5 and 7) and Facultats-Manuel Broseta station (Lines 3 and 9) Metrovalencia; bus lines on Amadeo of Savoia street (line 32), Reyes Prosper street (line 71), Avenida de Aragón (lines 10, 12, 80, 41, 79), and Avenida Blasco Ibáñez (lines 10, 29, 30, 31, 71, 79, 81, 89, 90).
Did You Know?
- Mestalla is considered the steepest stadium in Europe, with the highest tier reaching an incline of approximately 34–35 degrees.
- The stadium's name comes from the historic irrigation canal of Mestalla, developed during the Moorish dynasty between the 10th and 11th centuries.
- During the Civil War, Mestalla was used as a concentration camp and storage warehouse.
- The stadium hosted the Spain national team for the first time in 1925.
- Mestalla has hosted ten Copa del Rey finals, with the first one played in 1926.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mestalla?
Mestalla is a historic football stadium located in Valencia that serves as the home ground for Valencia CF. While not the official headquarters of La Roja, it frequently hosts Spain National Team matches due to its iconic status and capacity.
Has the Spain National Team ever played there?
Yes, the national team first played at Mestalla in 1935 against Italy and has returned often for crucial qualifiers and friendlies. It notably hosted matches during Euro 2008, contributing to Spain's golden era celebrations.
Why is Mestalla considered important to Spanish football identity?
This sun-drenched fortress represents the passionate heart of Spanish culture beyond Madrid and Barcelona. Its atmosphere provides a unique neutral ground where legends have tested their mettle against fierce rivals throughout history.
Is Mestalla the main home for La Roja?
No, the team's primary base is often associated with venues like the Santiago Bernabéu or the Metropolitano. Mestalla functions instead as a prestigious neutral venue for major tournaments and pivotal qualifiers.
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