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Madrid is a massive footballing city, with four clubs spaced around the city that currently play in the top flight.
The city is home to two of La Liga’s top three sides in Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, as well as two underdogs in Rayo Vallecano and Getafe, meaning that there is something for every football fan to enjoy.
Rayo Vallecano – Meet the pride of a working class neighbourhood
If you’re looking for a break from big crowds, booming noise or an almost guaranteed win, Rayo Vallecano might be the club for you. Since returning to the top flight in 2010/11, Vallecano have cemented their place as a solid mid-table side.
The club currently play at the tiny 14,700-seater Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas, which provides a completely different atmosphere to some of the bigger clubs’ grounds. Opened in 1976, entering the stadium feels like taking a step back into the past, but forgetting its small size and aged appearance, the local, passionate fans make it an unforgettable experience.
Rayo Vallecano – The Pride of a Working Class Neighbourhood.
In a city dominated by Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano make for a refreshing change. Hailing from the district of Vallecas, an underprivileged barrio of Madrid, the essence of the club is still very much more that of a working class district team.
Getafe CF – Meet the young ones
Madrid is also home to Getafe CF, the city’s youngest club. Founded just 69 years ago, Getafe currently play in the 17,300-seater Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. However, despite the small capacity of the ground, the club have struggled to find the fan-base to fill it in recent seasons, with attendance figures falling as low as 3,500 last season.
While you might not be treated to the same level of entertainment that you would receive elsewhere in the city, both on and off the pitch, you would be offering a helping hand to a club in desperate need of just that.
Atletico Madrid – Meet semibig one
Although, Real Madrid aren’t your only option if you’re in the area, as Atletico Madrid so valiantly showed with their 2013/14 La Liga victory.
Founded in 1903 by three Basque students, it wasn’t long before a fierce rivalry kicked-off between the two clubs after a number of Real Madrid’s members defected to the newly formed side. While Atletico have always remained the underdogs against their city rivals, that isn’t to say that they haven’t had their fair share of success over the years, picking up a massive 10 La Liga titles.
Atletico Madrid currently play in the Vicente Calderón Stadium, located in a quiet part of the Arganzuela district. Although, the area is anything but quiet on most Saturday evenings, with 55,000 football fans present to cheer on their team.
With the club currently in the process of constructing a new 70,000-seater home, you should seriously consider experiencing what is a big part of Madrid’s history before it’s too late.
Real Madrid – Meet the big one
Although, most football fans will be most interested in a trip to the famed Santiago Bernabéu. Valued at a massive £2.07 billion, Real Madrid are the richest football club in the world for the 10th straight year, and with the club securing the highest amount of revenue last year too, in the region of £489 million, it looks unlikely that they will lose their crown any time soon.
These ever-increasing funds means that the club can continue to bolster their ranks year in, year out, and witnessing the brilliance of club legend Cristiano Ronaldo, backed up by Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema, should be at the top of any football fan’s bucket list.
With a starting line-up valued at upwards of £500 million, a ticket costing approximately £18.80 for access to a glorious 85,000-seater stadium is certainly excellent value for money. If you don’t agree, consider this – that price is on par with lowly Premier League side Leicester City, while only two English sides offered cheaper tickets throughout 2014.
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