Guide to Spanish stadiums undergoing works this season

One constant theme at the start of the Primera and Segunda divisions in Spain is the amount of stadiums that are undergoing works and, in some cases, are causing games to be postponed or changed. 

The situation grabbing most of the attention are the works ongoing at the Estadio de Vallecas. They still aren't sure when the gates will reopen at Rayo Vallecano's stadium. After the first game against Sevilla but the second home game, against Athletic Bilbao, was postponed. Works are ongoing in the Grada Lateral Alta of the stadium where the away fans are located during games. The president of the Community of Madrid said that "until there is a guarantee of safety, Vallecas will not open". Rayo play on the 22nd against Alavés at home but they still don't know if they can play the game in their home stadium. The club's fans have protested against the poor care the stadium was shown and have called for the resignation of the president.

Another stadium that is undergoing works is the Anoeta. Real Sociedad's stadium has been worked on for a year, although the most important phases of the work have were finished this summer. In the first phase of works, they built a new South End and roof enclosures. in the second phase, they lowered the playing field and removed the athletics track. LaLiga have given La Real the go-ahead to play in the stadium but works will continue into 2019. They will build a new North End and they will improve access in the west stand. The biggest development along with the removal of the running track is that the stands will be completely covered.

El Alcorz in Huesca has also reieved a makeover this season. The stadium was renovated in order to increace the capacity to meet the league's requirements after the first ever promotion to the top flight. They have added a supplementary stand in the Grada Gol, which includes boxes although these haven't been finished yet. They have practically reformed the Central building along with the Tribuna. The number of VIP boxes, business suites and press boxes has increased dramatically. In the Gol Norte they have also increased the capacity and the parking area and lighting have undergone changes too. In total, the capacity will rise from 5,500 to 7,900. LaLiga have given them the go ahead to play games too despite the fact that all of the work is not fully completed.

Deportivo La Coruña's, Riazor, has been affected by works too. Depor played their first home game of the season against Sporting Gijón this past Sunday and many of the fans were affected by the works. In the Pabellón and Marathon stands, more than eight thousand fans had to be relocated because of the areas being fixed up. Access to the stadium was complicated given the number of construction equipment in the area. 

A curious case is that of Rayo Majadahonda. Their stadium, Cerro del Espino, didn't meet the requirements of LaLiga after they were promoted to the Segunda division for the first time in their history. The club are playing at the Wanda Metropolitano, loaned to them by Atlético Madrid, who they also share Cerro del Espino with. It is believed that the Cerro del Espino will be open in January.

Finally, the Nuevo José Zorrilla in Valladolid suffered many problems with their field during the game against Barcelona. The president, Carlos Suárez, recognised that it was their fault and that they thought the new turf put down would be given enough time to take root. It didn't, much to the embarrassment of the league and Valladolid. LaLiga have opened a case to investigate the pitch.