According to AS, pitch conditions at several La Liga stadiums have become a concern at the start of this season, with Vallecas and Castalia standing out as particularly problematic.

This summer, Spain experienced sustained high temperatures and severe wildfires, prompting professional clubs to take measures to mitigate weather damage to their pitches. However, as the new season began, several stadiums still showed serious problems, with some pitches afflicted by aggressive fungal disease that damaged the grass.

Particularly in Andalusia, where temperatures peaked, Valladolid was hardest hit by fungal disease, causing their opening match against Celta Vigo to be postponed. The stadium underwent urgent renovation and was still recovering when the match eventually took place last Thursday, though the pitch had already improved significantly.

Osasuna was also directly impacted by pitch problems. During their opening league match against Levante, the pitch condition was poor, affecting passes and the flow of play. The surface drew considerable attention afterward—observers had rarely seen it in such poor condition, with sand visible across the pitch and an uneven playing surface.

Osasuna coach Luis Miguel Ramis was visibly frustrated. When asked after the match, he initially deflected: "I'm not a groundskeeper. You also saw that preseason friendly at Ain, where the pitch was also very poor with lots of sand. I don't understand these things either." He continued: "A pitch needs three things: sunshine, water, and maintenance. There's sunshine, and I believe there's water, so perhaps more effort is needed in maintenance to improve the situation. The fact is, right now it's not good. I can't say more than that; it's a groundskeeping issue."

Since 2021, El Sadar Stadium has used hybrid grass—mostly natural grass reinforced with synthetic fibers for stability. This summer, Pamplona experienced unusually high temperatures that clearly affected the pitch. The club explained: "Grass can be laid in rolls or reseeded. We chose reseeding because theoretically the grass should have grown by August. We were told the weather was too hot and seed germination was poor. We've maintained and fertilized it, but recovery has been very slow and the condition is not good." The club added: "Typically, clubs have their own groundskeepers and also outsource to companies. In Spain, almost all La Liga pitches are managed by one of two companies: La Sixturli or Royal Verd. We've worked with Royal Verd for years."

Solutions are now being prioritized. The situation at Estadio de Vallecas is not new—poor pitch condition is just one symptom of overall deterioration and lack of maintenance at the venue. Since the team moved to Butarque as their home stadium, attention to these issues was diverted. Before their opening match, media captured images of sparse grass and uneven surfaces. The club stated the pitch underwent routine maintenance work during the summer to compensate for long-term wear. The problem was compounded by criticism in early 2026 over poor drainage and pitch condition, which forced the club to replace the entire pitch in February.

Yet Rayo Vallecano now faces another equally unsatisfactory pitch. In fact, Leganés was forced to hold the Villa de Leganés tournament at Butarque's training facilities in Ciudad Deportiva days ago, rather than at their home stadium. Though the pitch initially received technical approval, coaches and players objected, believing the surface remained unstable and unsuitable for training.

It's unusual for Butarque to be unavailable for matches, which underscores the pitch problems. Over the past three seasons, especially since the change in ownership, the pitch has performed poorly at the start of the season—linked to the club's commercial desire to increase revenue by renting out the stadium. Last season, this tension peaked. The pitch condition was so poor during the team's second match against Cádiz that even extensive green dye couldn't hide the problems adequately. The club even demanded compensation from the maintenance company over the pitch's condition. At least this year the issue was addressed more quickly, and by the time Rayo Vallecano played, the pitch had improved. Leganés will also play only one match at Butarque before September this season, specifically to protect the pitch.

Villarreal, meanwhile, continues advancing its expansion and upgrade project at its main facility, Estadio de la Cerámica and José Manuel Llaneza Sports City. Both venues are undergoing improvements and adjustments to remain modern and at the forefront of infrastructure. The latest development is that Villarreal recently began installing new grass at Estadio de la Cerámica in preparation for their home debut in the fourth round of the league. Many clubs take advantage of this summer window, before the league begins, to complete such work.

In Segunda División, SkyFi Castalia Castellón had an unsatisfactory pitch during their recent match against Sabadell due to delays in seeding and growth. The club reinforced several areas with grass rolls, and La Liga even sent an expert. The club stated the pitch should return to normal for their next home match. This assessment came from both the company responsible for pitch maintenance and the La Liga expert, who observed the pitch over three consecutive days and monitored its progress. The club requested a postponement of their first home match.

Coach Pablo Hernández said: "We communicated with La Liga midweek because three or four days ago, this pitch was completely unplayable, and the match should have been called off then." He added: "It's unfortunate that we have to play at home in pitch conditions like this." The club's groundskeeper has worked hard to improve it, but immediate results are difficult in such circumstances. Hernández believes Castellón needs a quality pitch to play their style of football. "We need to understand what went wrong and the actual situation. In any case, when we play at home, we need a pitch that allows us to play as we want. Everyone needs to work together to find solutions and the best path forward, so that for the match against Albacete, the stadium can be in optimal condition. If we want to play our football, we must maintain the pitch in good condition." As time progresses, this issue appears to be resolving.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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