Training Ground

Valencia acquired land in Paterna under Francisco Ros Casares' presidency in 1974. This was undoubtedly the greatest legacy left behind by the president, who tried to apply his business vision to the club and modernise it.

Purchasing the plots of land in Paterna was an excellent decision. Up until the creation of the training pitches there, Valencia CF players undertook their preparation sessions in conditions that were unfavourable for a team of their standing. Sessions took place on land behind a stand, which was not regulation size, and occasionally on the pitch at Mestalla. Players would also train at the Benimar facilities at times.

Despite the inadequate circumstances, Ros Casares and his board encountered opposition to the project. The team were going through a tough time in terms of their results, meaning the fans were more worried about this than the board's future plans.

The members meeting, after endless discussions, gave the green light to the purchase of the land for a price of 70 million pesetas. Ros Casares would not be able to sign the purchase contract, as he had left the presidential position before the deal was finalised. The final price came to 85 million pesetas, after neighbouring land was also acquired.

Ros Casares and his team showed great foresight in this operation, as they imposed the condition that the new Ciudad Deportiva training ground should be close to the future bypass. For this reason, they chose Paterna.

The current, remodelled Ciudad Deportiva was opened on February 19th, 1992. As time went by, the land came to be used as the first team training pitch and the football school.

The Ciudad Deportiva covers 180,000m2. Besides the design to hold its school for future players and halls of residence, it also features a modern rehabilitation centre with various rooms, for players to recover from injuries.

There are specialised areas such as the physio room, whirlpool, sauna and swimming pool.

The spacious gym, containing a wide variety of the most modern equipment, is an ideal complement for players' fitness training. The central building has ten rooms to house players on the first floor, as well as a common room and dining room. The audiovisual room allows the coach to work with video editors to analyse his team's play and study the opposition. The first team and VCF Mestalla changing rooms are located on the ground floor.

Behind the central building is a pitch with a grandstand that can hold around 2,250 spectators, where VCF Mestalla play their home games. The Valencia CF first team use several grass pitchs for their regular training, in addition to areas exclusively reserved for them.

Valencia CF's sports facilities continue to grow, providing the best conditions for the hundreds of athletes who use them everyday. The most recent additions have come in the firm of training ramps and a 'footvolley' court.

The Ciutat Esportiva is considered to be amongst the best in Europe, at the same level as other legendary football facilities.