Rayo Vallecano to play Espanyol fixture away from home as Vallecas audit is delayed

Rayo Vallecano will have to wait at least one more week before playing at home. Mariano de Paco, regional minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, confirmed on Monday that the audit report required to verify the safety of Vallecas will not be ready before Tuesday, so the LaLiga match against Espanyol will take place at another stadium.

• Rayo cannot host Espanyol at Vallecas because the required audit has not been completed in time.
• The match will be the sixth home fixture of the season played away from their own stadium.
• Regional authorities insist they will not rush a process that must guarantee the safety of the venue.
• Vallecas is also set for a major renovation to modernise facilities and increase capacity.

Vallecas stadium audit delayed ahead of Espanyol match

Speaking on Radio Intereconomía, De Paco admitted that the technical documentation needed to confirm the stadium is safe for sporting events has not yet been received. Regional officials hoped the review would be finished in time for Tuesday's game, but the minister was clear when asked directly whether that deadline would be met: it will not arrive in time.

The delay forces Rayo to find an alternative venue for the visit of the Barcelona-based side. The most likely option is another trip to Butarque, in Leganés, a ground the club has already used during previous rounds while Vallecas remains closed.

Rayo Vallecano set for sixth home game away from Vallecas

With the Espanyol fixture, the Madrid club will have played six home matches this season away from their own neighbourhood. It is a situation that affects the team on a daily basis, and one that regional authorities are determined to resolve with full guarantees.

De Paco stressed that the regional government is working to shorten the timeline as much as possible, but without compromising the thoroughness of the review. The aim, he said, is to prove that the stadium is a safe and healthy environment for fans and visitors alike.

What Vallecas must clear before Rayo can play there again

The ongoing audit is central to the reopening of the ground. Structural, evacuation and health-related conditions must be verified before matches can be authorised again with supporters in the stands. Until that process is concluded, Rayo cannot act as hosts at their traditional home.

The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, recently addressed the future of the stadium during the State of the Region debate. She announced that the regional government has put forward a comprehensive renovation proposal that will modernise the facilities, increase capacity and turn the ground into a renewed sporting icon for the city.

The full renovation planned for Vallecas by Madrid authorities

De Paco also linked the reopening to a broader project. In his view, the stadium not only needs to open its gates again, but must undergo a deep renovation worthy of a top-flight club that also plays in European competition.

That stadium, beyond opening its doors, must undergo a comprehensive renovation that brings it up to the level of the team we have: a magnificent First Division side that also plays in Europe.

The regional president's remarks during the parliamentary debate underlined institutional backing for the project. The proposal includes a complete modernisation of the ground, with improvements to capacity and matchday services for supporters.

When will Rayo Vallecano return to their own stadium?

There is no confirmed date for the return to Vallecas. De Paco said he expects the audit report to be delivered very soon, possibly within days. In the meantime, the club continues with its travel routine and waits for the green light from the authorities.

Rayo's supporters are eager to fill the stands of their ground again. Until then, the team must keep dealing with an unusual situation that has already marked the start of its season.