Elche CF Matchday Guide: Martínez Valero, the Palm City and the Franjiverdes

Sunshine and a friendly, family atmosphere. The Martínez Valero is a compact two-tier bowl in the club’s green-and-white colours, with excellent sightlines and a warm, welcoming feel that’s won it awards as one of La Liga’s best-liked grounds. It’s not a cauldron of hostility — this is easy-going Mediterranean football, more often played under a beating sun than under rain, which is why the main stand went so long without a roof. Elche are a small club punching above their weight to stay in the top flight, and the crowd backs them with pride rather than fury. The visits of Real Madrid and Barcelona are the big draws. Expect a relaxed, sun-soaked matchday rather than an intimidating one.

This is the one thing to plan carefully. The Martínez Valero sits on the eastern edge of Elche, around 3km from the historic centre on a fairly open plain, and public transport right to the ground is thin — the best options are driving (there’s ample parking on the surrounding lots) or a taxi, and it’s worth booking a taxi in advance for after the game. To reach Elche itself, the Cercanías C1 line runs between Alicante and Murcia, and there are regular trains and intercity buses from Valencia and Alicante. Many visitors base themselves in nearby Alicante and travel over. Our getting around Elche guide has the train and taxi details.

Be warned: there’s not much right around the stadium. The ground sits on an open plain ringed by car parks, so the immediate options are limited to a handful of spots — the Restaurante Franja Estadio right next door is the pick for tapas or a full meal, with the small cafés La Trobada and La Fábrica de Hielo tucked beneath the stands. The real pre-match happens in Elche’s centre, near the palm groves, or over in Alicante if that’s your base. Plans for a shopping and leisure complex beside the stadium may change this in future. Our Elche sports bars guide points you to the best spots in the centre and near the ground.

Payment is mostly card and phone, though it’s worth knowing some kiosks can still be cash-only, so carry a little just in case. The ground is a proper two-tier football stadium in Elche green, with one of the largest pitches in Europe and clean views from just about everywhere. The ongoing €40m renovation is adding a roof to the main stand, a new exterior façade, upgraded hospitality and replaced seating, so expect some works in progress and check your section before you travel. Don’t be surprised by the crunch of pipas — salted sunflower seeds — underfoot, a beloved Spanish matchday tradition. For the best experience, the covered main stand; for value, the ends.

Good news for visitors: Elche almost never sell out, so tickets for standard La Liga games are easy to come by. You can buy through the official site, elchecf.es, or at the stadium ticket windows from two hours before kickoff, with prices ranging from around €10 for an uncovered end seat to €35 for a covered main-stand seat — among the most affordable in the division. The exceptions are the visits of Real Madrid and Barcelona, which draw far bigger demand. The club participates in La Liga’s regulated away-ticket scheme. Entry is by digital ticket. Our Elche tickets guide walks through the official sale and pricing.

With a crowd that rarely fills the ground and a location built around car parks, getting away is easy for drivers but trickier without a car — which is why booking a taxi in advance pays off. Most visitors head back into Elche’s centre, lovely for an evening stroll among the palms, or return to Alicante, a short trip away, for a wider choice of nightlife and dining by the sea. The area’s warm climate makes a post-match evening outdoors a pleasure. If you’re staying over, Alicante makes a strong base with more options; our Elche and Alicante hotels guide covers the best-placed choices.

Sort your transport — public transport to the ground is limited, so drive or book a taxi, ideally arranging the return in advance.

Base yourself in Alicante — the nearby coastal city has far more to offer and easy links to Elche.

Eat before you arrive — options by the stadium are sparse, so eat in the centre or try the Restaurante Franja Estadio next door.

Grab a covered seat — the main stand offers shade from the strong Alicante sun (and the new roof).

Buy on the day if you like — Elche rarely sell out, so tickets are easy except against Madrid and Barcelona.

See the palm groves — Elche’s UNESCO palmeral is the largest in Europe and worth building the day around.

Facts verified July 2026. With the Martínez Valero undergoing a phased renovation, capacity, open stands and facilities are subject to change — confirm the latest details on the official Elche CF website before you travel.