Information
The Estadio de la Cerámica is one of the oldest fields in the highest category of Spanish football. It was inaugurated on June 17, 1923 under the name of ‘Campo del Villarreal’, to change its name to ‘El Madrigal’ two years later. Since January 8, 2017 it has been called Estadio de la Cerámica.
The renovated yellow stadium has a capacity of 23,500 spectators and dimensions of 105×68 meters. It is located on Blasco Ibáñez street, next to Plaza del Labrador. Opposite the South Fund façade there is an open space where events and activities related to Villarreal CF are held.
Main info
Opening:
Location:
Capacity:
Dimensions:
June 17, 1923.
Calle Blasco Ibáñez, 2. ZIP: 12540, Vila-real (Castellón).
23,500 spectators.
105 x 68 meters.
Name throughout history
(1923-1925) – Villarreal field
(1925-2017) – The Madrigal
(2017-) – Ceramic Stadium
Main sponsors: PAMESA, PORCELANOSA, ARGENTA CERÁMICA, TORRECID and FERRO.
Official sponsors: TAU CERÁMICA, BESTILE, ESMALGLASS-ITACA and COLOROBBIA.
Official partners: INCOGAS, ICA, VIDRES, GIZEMFRIT, KERAKOLL and AZULIBER.
History
The ‘Estadio de la Cerámica’ is the football field where Villarreal plays its home games. It has a capacity of 23,500 spectators and the dimensions of the pitch are 105 x 68 metres. The yellow fief is located next to the Plaza del Labrador in Vila-real and, curiously, since its inauguration in 1923 it has occupied the same location. Parallel to the Mediterranean, which is five kilometers away, the Estadio de la Cerámica is at a height of 50 meters above sea level.
Inauguration
The field was inaugurated on June 17, 1923 under the name ‘Campo del Villarreal’, although only two years later it began to be called ‘El Madrigal’, a name that lasted until January 8, 2017. The name referred to the land of the rural game on which the sports facility was built, which were also called in the same way. The field was inaugurated with the dispute of a match between CD Castellón and SD Cervantes FC, two of the teams from the capital of the province.
Remodeling
The yellow stadium experienced its first extension during the summer of 1952, taking advantage of the end of the competition. That remodeling also served so that the playing field reached the same measures as the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, which that same year hosted the Games, and which was the reference for the clubs. Thus, the game rectangle of the field became 104 x 65 m and left behind the 95 x 50 m before.
In the 1960s, Villarreal built a small covered grandstand and in the 71/72 season the original South Goal stand was built. The stands began to be demolished on July 19, 1988 to make way for the construction of a new grandstand, which was inaugurated on March 8, 1989 with a friendly match against Atlético de Madrid.
The club took advantage of the entity’s 75th anniversary celebration to carry out the remodeling that has configured the structure of the stadium. The South Goal was demolished on May 22, 1998 and it was also the beginning of the construction of the new covered Grandstand, the amphitheater, the Preference stand and the North Fund. The works finished for the 99/00 season.
First electrical installation
The yellow stadium saw its first electrical installation in 1973 to be able to play football matches late in the afternoon. The city council placed four metallic towers in each corner of the field, with nine halogen spotlights each. Electric lighting premiered on September 16, 1973 with a Third Division match that pitted Villarreal against Sociedad Deportiva Ibiza and ended with a 0-1 scoreline.
The location of the changing rooms
It is curious, but the changing rooms of our field have had up to four different locations since the yellow feudo was inaugurated. Until the 35/36 season, that is, for twelve years, the changing rooms occupied the area of the southeast corner of the pitch. From that date and until the 1960s, they were located in the northeast part of the field. With the inauguration of the new grandstand in 1989, they occupied the southwestern part to finish, with the last remodeling, in its current location, just below the central area of the grandstand. After undergoing various renovations, in the summer of 2008 the construction of the visiting area was carried out, just above the North Fund and which allows the rival fans to enjoy the game in complete peace of mind. With capacity for nearly 2,300 spectators, it was an exemplary remodeling.
The 'Casals Grocs'
The yellow stadium has all the comfort for those fans who want extra services when it comes to following the matches that Villarreal plays at home. For them, the Submarine has 19 Casals Grocs. Two of 21 places, nine of 20, seven of 18 and one of 38 locations. All the boxes are tiled with ceramics from the sponsors of the stadium and have a very contemporary and modern look. In addition, after the last remodeling in 2017, they have been expanded and equipped with more furniture for greater user comfort.
In addition, and after the last remodeling in 2008, fans also have the Casals Blaus (Blue), located in a privileged place in the North Fund and with endless amenities for fans who do not want to give up any comfort.
The 'Casals Blaus'
Taking advantage of the construction of the visiting stand, Villarreal expanded the area of the private boxes, equipping the yellow stadium with 27 new ‘casals’. Located in the upper part of the North Fund, the 27 Casals Blaus are divided into three modalities with 22, 23 and 17 people. Like the Casals Grocs, they have air conditioning, television with simultaneous retransmission of the meeting, catering service, individual seats and independent access.
The new benches
In order to improve visibility, Villarreal remodeled the entire bench area in the summer of 2013, adapting a style similar to that of some Premier League stadiums. Thus, the area has been enlarged and has gained height, standing over part of the grandstand. Spacious and comfortable, the extension also entailed the extension of the Grandstand visor in order to offer greater protection to both fans and footballers.
Pioneer grass
Villarreal became a pioneer in Spain by installing, before any other national club, a mixed turf that combines artificial fiber with natural grass. The club’s commitment was absolute, as it opted to renovate the surface of its three most representative fields: the stadium, the training ground for the first team at the Ciudad Deportiva and the Mini Stadium, with capacity for more than 5,000 spectators. The surface, Desso GrassMaster, is a hybrid grass system where synthetic fibers are injected into the ground, with the aim that the roots of the natural grass coil around the artificial fibers and thus offer a more stable and durable ground.
From Madrigal to Estadio de la Cerámica
Villarreal CF announced, on Sunday, January 8, 2017, the new name of its stadium, which has since been called ‘Estadio de la Cerámica’, as a representative and identifying symbol of the province of Castellón, thus becoming proudly in ambassador of one of the best products of our land and in a great showcase of this extraordinary material. In addition, with this new initiative, the club generated a new source of income, since many tile companies in the province decided to be part of the project as ‘partners’, having a presence in the different supports of the stadium and, with it, great visibility National and international. The companies that are part of the ‘Ceramic Stadium’ are: PAMESA, PORCELANOSA, ARGENTA CERÁMICA, TORRECID and FERRO as Main Sponsors; and TAU CERÁMICA, BESTILE, ESMALGLASS-ITACA and COLOROBBIA as Official Sponsors; INCOGAS, ICA, VIDRES, GIZEMFRIT, KERAKOLL and AZULIBER as Official Partners
The South End of the ‘Estadio de la Cerámica’ sports a facade completely covered in high-gloss yellow porcelain stoneware, representative and corporate of Villarreal CF. A material of great aesthetic elegance, for which a state-of-the-art polishing process has been used. A ceramic of the highest quality with magnificent features such as thermal insulation and excellent solar and acoustic protection. 2,000 square meters of cladding were placed with the ceramic ventilated façade system. Everything, with a double fastening system for maximum security.
The front is illuminated with a modern and revolutionary LED lighting system. More than 500 points of light that achieve surprising results. A digitally controlled system that allows changes of colors and effects, to be able to alternate different designs and styles. A lighting formula with high performance and low consumption, thanks to the regulation of times and intensities that have an impact on energy savings.
The environment of the ‘Estadio de la Cerámica’ was also transformed, since a new diaphanous square was built, with a special role for ceramic material on the pavement and sidewalks, from which a great perspective of the stadium can be seen and which serves as a meeting point , meeting and space to carry out different activities for all fans who are going to enjoy football. With this work, safety issues were notably improved, since there is greater fluidity in the circulation of people in the surrounding areas and in the evacuation routes of the field. In addition, all the residents of Vila-real benefit from a new space prepared for the development of all kinds of events, since there is a warehouse and changing room area on the ground floor of the stadium.
The Super Tribune
In its constant commitment to evolution and adaptation to new times, the club created the ‘Super Tribune’ for the 2017-2018 season. The work carried out was magnificent and also in record time, since in just a few months the Estadio de la Cerámica presented a spectacular appearance, both inside and out.
It is a new area equipped with all the comforts to experience Villarreal CF matches. from a spectacular perspective. In addition to comfortable seats and television in the outdoor area, the ‘Super Tribune’ has a catering service in its interior area and a large window that allows a new vision of the football spectacle.
The ‘Super Tribune’ was the great novelty of the 17-18 season, because it is an exclusive area, fully glazed, with catering and television and the best view of the pitch. Both the spectacular façade of the new ‘Super Grandstand’ and its interior are tiled with materials from the sponsors of the Estadio de la Cerámica. Outside, the yellow shines as well as on the façade of the South Fund. In fact, this area also has LED lighting.
The ‘Super Grandstand’ gives continuity to the image of the south end inaugurated in January 2017: large yellow ceramic panels, with lighting and sound inside. Visually, the new appearance of the grandstand eliminates the external access stairs, extending the façade to the limit of the current stadium sidewalk.
The VIP Box (the interior area, doubling it with the creation of 2 new floors), the Casals Grocs and the press area were also enlarged. In short, with this ‘Super Grandstand’ the space, services and image of the stadium were won.
