Rayo cleared to return to Vallecas stadium after urgent safety repairs

Agence France-Presse ·
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 30: General view inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Europa Conference League match between Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace at Estadio Vallecas on April 30, 2026 in Madrid, Spain.
Denis Doyle - UEFA / UEFA / Getty

La Liga team Rayo Vallecano were cleared to return to their stadium by Madrid's regional government on Monday after urgent repairs were undertaken.

In July Madrid's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sport said that an audit had detected "serious deficiencies" regarding safety at Vallecas and were suspending Rayo's lease of the ground, which has been notoriously poorly maintained.

The audit found problems with hygiene, health and sanitation conditions in addition to safety issues in other areas.

Rayo have played two league matches at Leganes's Butarque stadium so far this season, and are also set to host Espanyol there on Tuesday.

Last season's Conference League runners-up are expected to return to their Vallecas home on October 10 against Athletic Bilbao.

Madrid's regional government said in a statement that a new audit had confirmed Vallecas is "operational and in suitable condition for ordinary use".

Meanwhile they are continuing a process to terminate Rayo's use of the stadium over alleged serious breaches of its obligations, despite lifting the suspension that had prevented the club from playing there.

Last season Rayo played one league match at Butarque because the Vallecas pitch was not in a state to play on.

Rayo players also protested against the way the club is being run by president and owner Raul Martin Presa, as well as the state of the stadium and their training facilities.

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