Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero: Guide for Visiting Fans

Your nearest major airport is Alicante–Elche Airport (ALC). The distance between Alicante Airport and Elche is about 9 miles, and it takes approximately 17 minutes to drive. Avanza Grupo operates a bus from Aeropuerto 2 (the airport terminal stop) to Av Alacant–Policia Local in Elche every 20 minutes, with tickets costing $1–3 and the journey taking around 19 minutes. A taxi from the airport runs roughly €35–45 and gets you there in under 20 minutes.

Once in Elche, the stadium sits on the eastern edge of the city. Bus lines F and R9 stop at Avinguda Manuel Martínez Valero — a bus stop just 3 minutes' walk from the stadium. The nearest train station is Elche-Carrús on the Renfe C1 Cercanías line, about a 12-minute walk away. You can reach Elche from Alicante city using the Cercanías C1 train line, which also operates between Alicante and Murcia. Renfe Cercanías runs roughly hourly from Alicante/Alacant-Terminal to Elche/Elx-Parc, with tickets costing €2–6 and the journey taking about 30 minutes.

If you're driving, the simplest route by road is to exit the A7 at exit 31 and follow signs towards Elche, with the stadium located about 3 kilometres outside the city centre. For rideshare, Uber/Cabify both operate in the Alicante region — book from the stadium address on Avenida Manuel Martínez Valero, 3.

The stadium is on the eastern edge of Elche, on a mostly empty plain area with many parking lots. That's genuinely good news. The stadium provides parking spaces within the ground itself, though these are limited. In addition, there are many parking spaces outside the football ground, as the area is surrounded by open spaces that offer more parking, and streets with signs for free parking. In practical terms, you can usually find a free space on the streets nearby if you arrive 90 minutes before kickoff. There is space for an estimated 1,800 cars within the official on-site car parks. The lots closest to the main entrance fill up first; if those are full, push a little further east on Avenida de l'Altet and you'll find street parking that's free and walkable. Parking areas can become congested on matchdays, so avoid arriving within 45 minutes of kickoff for a high-profile fixture. Paid lots near the stadium typically charge around €5–10 on matchdays, though free alternatives exist if you're willing to walk 10 minutes.

The stadium sits on the eastern edge of Elche on a mostly empty plain, so staying directly adjacent to it serves no real purpose. Instead, book in the city centre (the area around Plaça de Baix and the Vinalopó riverfront) — you'll be within a 15-minute taxi or bus ride and have actual restaurants and bars on your doorstep. The Ibis Alicante Elche is one option closer to the stadium, while Hotel Huerto del Cura and Tryp Ciudad De Elche are two suggestions that congregate towards the west of the city. Hotel Huerto del Cura is the prestige pick — it sits within the UNESCO-listed Palmeral gardens and is genuinely one of the nicer hotel settings in the province. Budget travellers will do fine with the Ibis or a hostel near the bus station, especially if you're treating Elche as a day trip from Alicante, which is also entirely reasonable.

The immediate surroundings of the stadium are sparse, but you have options — you just need to know where to look.

Restaurante Franja Estadio — Right next to the stadium, this Spanish restaurant is perfect for tapas or a more extensive meal. It features an affordable Menú del Día at approximately €12 for three courses. On Sundays, patrons can enjoy a special menu for the same price, featuring two starters, a salad, a main course such as paella, and a dessert with a drink. It is noted for its rice dishes. Arrive early — this fills up with locals pre-match.

Winner's Bar — The self-styled new definition of a bar, located right next to the Elche CF stadium. It does breakfast, tapas, lunch and evening drinks, and stays open late on weekends. Perfect for a pre-match beer if you don't want to head into the city centre.

Mesón El Granaino — A city-centre institution that has conserved its essence since Ramón opened the bar in 1964, offering a broad selection of tapas, traditional rice dishes, and locally sourced products. It has been recognised repeatedly by the Michelin Guide and has been awarded a Sol Repsol. Worth the 10-minute taxi ride into town pre-match.

Restaurante Els Capellans — Located by the Huerto del Cura Gardens, this restaurant is a lovely setting for post-match dining. Mediterranean-Valencian cuisine, rice dishes, and quality seafood. A step up in formality and price from the stadium-area options — ideal for a proper post-match dinner.

Gates open at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero two hours before kick-off. There's no official clear-bag mandate in the way LaLiga or UK grounds enforce it, but security is taken seriously. For an acceptable bag, opt for small hand-held clutches (around 4.5"×6.5") rather than large purses; clear bags are better than opaque backpacks. Leave the rucksack at the hotel.

Matchdays at Martínez Valero carry a relaxed but passionate atmosphere shaped by the character of Elche itself. Supporters gather along Avenida de Manuel Martínez Valero and the surrounding neighbourhoods before filtering toward the stadium's wide entrance ramps. Away fans are typically allocated a section in the upper tier behind one of the goals — check your ticket for gate designation. Arrive at least 45 minutes early to clear security without rushing. Keep in mind that some upper sections might be closed if the club is in a lower division. Note that the stadium is in the middle of an ongoing renovation: Elche CF began the first visible steps in the renovation of Estadio Martínez Valero in early 2026, expected to be completed before the start of the 2026/27 season, so some areas or entrances may be affected — check the club's official channels before match day.

Accessibility has improved gradually over the years, with wheelchair platforms introduced in several sectors, adapted toilets, step-free entrances, and matchday assistance staff to help supporters navigate the ground. The stadium is designed to be accessible, with designated areas for visitors with disabilities. It is always a good idea to contact the club directly for specific accessibility needs or to book accessible seating.

The stadium's open-bowl design, with wide concourses and gently sloping ramps to most sections, generally works in favour of mobility-impaired visitors. Parking spaces close to the accessible entrance are available, but spaces fill quickly — arrive early and notify the club in advance via their official ticketing channels to arrange appropriate seating and assistance.

The stadium from 1976 is compact and has a good atmosphere, with two tiers in the green club colours. The bowl's design ensures good visibility from most areas, and the singing sections behind the goals bring energy to league and cup fixtures.

Away fans are typically placed in the upper tier behind one of the goals (the Fondo end). The seats are right at the back of the stand at the furthest point away from the pitch in a relatively steep seating arrangement. The steepness is actually a feature, not a bug — sightlines are good from high up, and the compact nature of the ground means you're never far from the action. Avoid requesting neutral seats in the Tribuna (main stand) unless you're willing to keep very quiet — the Elche faithful sit close and they will notice colours.

The single most important caveat: even the main stand doesn't have a roof, but in this part of Spain that's usually no problem — if it's a summer evening kick-off, bring sunglasses for the first half.

The Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero is known for its friendly and safe atmosphere. Getting to your seats is generally easy with tremendous visibility from most areas. Elche supporters are passionate but not intimidating — this is a city that has spent more time outside LaLiga than inside it, and there's a certain magnanimity that comes with that. The atmosphere is better than you'd expect for a mid-table club in a city of this size; the Fondo Sur ultras group keeps the noise levels up throughout. The thing that genuinely surprises first-time visitors is the pitch: the Martínez Valero has the widest pitch dimensions in Europe, measuring 108 × 70 metres, which makes games feel visually different — passes travel further, attacks have more width, and the open Spanish sunshine makes it feel more like a Sunday kickabout in a very grand park than a typical LaLiga ground.

By bus/train: Try to arrange a taxi for after the game in advance — bus services back into the city centre are infrequent on matchday evenings, and the last R12 service runs around midnight. Lines F and R9 serve the stop directly outside the stadium, but frequency drops post-match. If you take the train, the walk to Elche-Carrús (12 minutes) is manageable; trains back towards Alicante on the C1 run roughly every hour. Wait 20–25 minutes after the final whistle before making the walk — the first exit rush clears quickly on foot.

By car: The stadium lies right next to the EL-20 provincial road. The surrounding flat area means the car park exits don't bottleneck in the way city-centre grounds do. Give it 15 minutes after the final whistle and you'll be rolling. The A7 on-ramp is a 5-minute drive once you're out.

By rideshare/taxi: The best move is to pre-book a taxi for 15 minutes after the expected final whistle and set a pickup point on Avenida de l'Altet, one block east — slightly away from the main exit crush and where cars can actually stop. Expect a 5–10 minute wait if booking on the app; surge pricing in Elche post-match is moderate, not the nightmare you'd see outside a Bernabéu fixture.

One tip to beat everyone: Head to the Restaurante Franja Estadio for a post-match drink immediately after the final whistle instead of fighting the exit. By the time you've had one beer and settled the bill, 80% of the cars are gone.

How do I get to Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero from Alicante Airport?

Avanza Grupo operates a bus from Aeropuerto 2 to Av Alacant–Policia Local every 20 minutes, with tickets costing €1–3 and the journey taking 19 minutes. From there you're a short bus or taxi ride from the stadium. A taxi direct from ALC to the stadium costs approximately €35–45.

What is the bag policy at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero?

Opt for small hand-held clutches (around 4.5"×6.5") rather than large purses; clear bags are better than opaque backpacks. Large backpacks and oversized bags will be turned away at security.

Is there parking at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero?

The stadium provides on-site parking, though spaces are limited. The surrounding area features open spaces and streets with free parking. Arrive 90 minutes early for the best free options.

What time do gates open?

Gates open approximately two hours before kick-off. Allow extra time during the current renovation period, as some entrances may be affected.

Where do away fans sit at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero? Away supporters are allocated in the upper tier behind one of the goals. Seats are at the back of the stand at the furthest point from the pitch, in a relatively steep arrangement — sightlines are good despite the distance.

Is the stadium open-air or covered?

Even the main stand doesn't have a roof. The entire ground is open-air. Bring sunscreen for afternoon kick-offs.

Can I buy tickets on the day?

Tickets can be bought on the club's official website. The chances of a sell-out are almost zero, so you can usually try your luck at the ticket windows on match day too. For high-profile fixtures (Real Madrid, Barça), buy in advance.

Is the stadium cashless? Not entirely. Some vendors inside the stadium may be cash-only for drinks and food, so bring some euros even if you plan to pay by card elsewhere.