Mestalla Stadium, Football stadium in Valencia, Spain
Mestalla is a football ground in Valencia, Spain, with eight tiers and a total of 49,430 seats arranged in a compact rectangular layout around the pitch. The stands rise steeply, creating an enclosed environment where spectators can view the grass from close range.
The ground opened in 1923 and served different purposes during the Spanish Civil War, including as a detention camp and warehouse. After the conflict it returned to sporting use and underwent several rebuilds and expansions over the decades.
Home matches bring tens of thousands of supporters wearing orange and black to watch Valencia CF, with fans chanting during goals and key moments throughout the game. The curvas fill about an hour before kickoff when fan groups unfurl flags and drummers set the rhythm.
Guided tours take visitors through areas such as the changing rooms, player tunnel, trophy hall and a small museum that documents the club's story. Tours run several times daily and last around 90 minutes, allowing access to both indoor spaces and sections of the stands.
The north stand features an exceptionally steep angle of 45 degrees, making it one of the steepest viewing sections in European football arenas. This design emerged during an expansion when architects had to make the most of limited space between the pitch and surrounding streets.
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