Few countries share Spain’s level of footballing heritage. Internationally, Spain is the only team to have won three consecutive titles, twice winning the FIFA World Cup and once clinching the UEFA European Championship between 2008 and 2012. Due to their success, Spain has become a go-to destination for football fans, and those visiting the Costa Blanca can immerse themselves in the sport’s proud history.
So, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best grounds to visit during a trip to the Mediterranean coastline.
Why Visit Spanish Football Grounds?
First and foremost, when planning a football-oriented holiday, Spain ensures personal security that isn’t matched by non-European destinations. The reason for this relates to the country’s location within Europe and subsequent EU flight delay compensation rules.
For over ten years, Flightright has fought to enforce passenger rights in case of flight delay or cancellations. One of the main criteria in securing flight delay compensation concerns travel to or from a European airport via a continent-specific airline. If this is met, then prospective passengers are entitled to pursue their case, and they stand a good chance of winning based on the organization’s 99 percent in-court success rate.
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How Much Compensation for a Flight Delay?
The amount of compensation for a valid claim varies. Ultimately, this is based on the length of the delay and the distance of the pre-booked flight. Delays of less than three hours, irrespective of the journey length, don’t give rise to a valid claim.
However, if traveling less than 1,500 kilometers with at least a three-hour delay, then around $304 is claimable. The maximum amount is approximately $731, but this is only in cases where at least a four-hour delay occurred on non-internal EU flights over 3,500 kilometers.
How to Claim Compensation for Flight Delay?
If the necessary criteria are met, then checking claim validity can be done through Flightright’s online compensation calculator. Upon entering the required details, the service will check the passenger’s rights to a legitimate claim. Regarding time, various European countries have different periods of validity. For example, if traveling to or from the United Kingdom, compensation appeals last for up to six years.
Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero
Once in Spain and with the peace of mind that your flight delay rights as an air passenger are protected, you can start to explore the Costa Blanca’s local footballing heritage. The area – which is on the southeastern coast of Spain – is the home to Elche, a top-flight team. Located in Alicante, travelers are a short trip away from the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
According to the ground’s profile at the Stadium Guide, it opened in 1976 and holds 36,017 spectators.
Following its creation, the stadium replaced the city’s former sporting ground, the Campo de Altabix. The Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero is three miles outside of Elche and is easily accessible by an array of public transportation. Interestingly, Elche’s home stadium hosted the 2003 Copa del Rey final, which Mallorca won by a three-goal margin against Recreativo de Huelva.
One benefit to being close to the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero ground is the potential to see world-class players throughout the footballing calendar. As Elche are a top-flight club, they will welcome the likes of Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Madrid over the course of the season. Should you plan your trip appropriately, this opens the door to watching world-class players, such as Antoine Griezmann, Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, and many more.
Estadio Nueva Condomina
Just across the border from the Costa Blanca, travelers can enter the Region of Murcia. Murcia itself is located inland from the southeastern coastline. If visiting, football fans should consider going to the Estadio Nueva Condomina, which is the home to Real Murcia.
In terms of their level, the 101-year-old club play in the third tier of Spanish football, the Segunda Division B. Their stadium was built in 2006 and has a maximum capacity of 31,179 viewers. Interestingly, the ground has a fascinating history, as Barcelona’s Xavi scored the first goal at the arena during a friendly between Argentina and Spain back in October 2006. The fully-enclosed ground possesses a modern feel that ensures a great view of the pitch from all seating positions.
Embrace the Costa Blanca’s Footballing Scene
Ultimately, when factoring in EU flight delay compensation rules, it’s now more traveler-friendly than ever before to visit historical Spanish football stadiums. The coastline’s proximity to a wide array of football-loving cities means that prospective spectators can immerse themselves in various levels of the country’s tier system without having to travel too far.
