Rayo Vallecano chief doubles down on stadium exit message

Rayo Vallecano president Raul Martin Presa remains on a collision course with La Liga ahead of tonight’s clash with Barcelona.

Rayo have enjoyed a strong start to the 2025/26 season with a spot sealed in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League – and a return to Europe for the first time in over two decades.

However, Presa remains locked in a tense battle with La Liga and the Rayo fans, following years of mismanagement and poor investment at their Estadio de Vallecas home.

An ongoing dispute involving multiple actors including Presa, local authorities and La Liga, means vital stadium repairs have been missed for years.

The Rayo Vallecano fans are ready to stage a silent protest during tonight’s match with the defending Spanish champions due a poor pitch, stand closures and an inability to facilitate Barcelona fans at the stadium.

Rayo Vallecano president demands stadium move in 2025

Security concerns and a lack of investment from Presa are blamed for the current situation but the Rayo chief has hit back.

Criticism over the playing surface continues, despite meeting La Liga protocol, has been played down by Presa who insists a move to a new home is the only realistic option.

“Rayo Vallecano has the obligation to move to a new stadium, with all of current resources, it’s the right thing to do,” as per Marca.

That viewed is not shared by a huge part of the Rayo fanbase, who want to remain at their iconic home, and insist improvements can be made to bring them up to code in 2025.

Alongside issues over ticketing and infrastructure, the stadium capacity is also a concern, with their current home the second smallest in La Liga.

An estimated capacity of 14,708 is only narrowly above Girona but the reopening of a closed stand could bring them closer to around 18,000.