Elche CF stadium congestion sparks fan complaints

Large crowds at the Martínez Valero stadium following the Elche CF versus Valencia CF match have triggered significant complaints from fans regarding safety and accessibility. With 28,360 spectators in attendance, thousands of people faced bottlenecks at exit points, with some reporting delays of over 15 minutes.

The congestion is attributed to a combination of reduced exit points and ongoing urban redevelopment works in the stadium surroundings. These works, a 3.2 million euro project by the Elche City Council, involve approximately 25,000 square meters and include new roads, roundabouts, and accessible sidewalks. The project is currently expected to be completed by early 2027.

In response to the issues, Elche CF stated that all legal evacuation measures are being met, but the club is working to reorganize parking to mitigate future bottlenecks. The simultaneous departure of both home and away fans also contributed to the density of the crowds at the exits.