An overview of the 20 teams that participated in La Liga for the 2023-2024 season, including their history, stadiums, and notable performances:
1. FC Barcelona
Stadium: Spotify Camp Nou (99,354)
Founded: 1899
Major Achievements: Barcelona has won 27 La Liga titles, 31 Copa del Reys, and 5 UEFA Champions League trophies. The club has been home to legendary players like Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, and Xavi.
Interesting Fact: Barcelona is owned by its supporters, known as “socios,” and operates as a registered non-profit entity.
2. Real Madrid
Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu (81,044)
Founded: 1902
Major Achievements: Real Madrid is the most successful club in Europe, with 35 La Liga titles and 14 UEFA Champions League trophies. Their recent dominance in Europe includes winning the Champions League five times between 2014 and 2022.
Interesting Fact: The club was named the “Best Club of the 20th Century” by FIFA.
3. Atlético Madrid
Stadium: Wanda Metropolitano (68,456)
Founded: 1903
Major Achievements: Atlético has won 11 La Liga titles and 3 UEFA Europa League trophies. Known for their strong defense, Atlético thrives under manager Diego Simeone.
Interesting Fact: Atlético’s rivalry with Real Madrid, known as the Madrid Derby, is one of the fiercest in world football.
4. Real Sociedad
Stadium: Reale Arena (39,313)
Founded: 1909
Major Achievements: Sociedad has won La Liga twice (1981, 1982) and most recently the Copa del Rey in 2020.
Interesting Fact: Located in the Basque Country, Real Sociedad initially only allowed Basque players, similar to Athletic Bilbao, but this policy changed in the 1980s.
5. Villarreal CF
Stadium: Estadio de la Cerámica (23,500)
Founded: 1923
Major Achievements: Villarreal won the UEFA Europa League in 2021 and has consistently finished in the top six of La Liga in recent years.
Interesting Fact: Known as the “Yellow Submarine,” Villarreal has punched above their weight, competing against bigger clubs with their small-town roots.
6. Real Betis
Stadium: Benito Villamarín (60,720)
Founded: 1907
Major Achievements: Betis has won La Liga once (1935) and the Copa del Rey three times, most recently in 2022.
Interesting Fact: The club has a passionate fanbase and shares a heated rivalry with Sevilla FC, known as “El Gran Derbi.”
7. Sevilla FC
Stadium: Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán (43,883)
Founded: 1890
Major Achievements: Sevilla is renowned for their success in European competition, having won the UEFA Europa League a record 7 times. Domestically, they’ve won La Liga once (1946) and the Copa del Rey 5 times.
Interesting Fact: Sevilla’s success in European competitions has earned them the nickname “Kings of the Europa League.”
8. Athletic Bilbao
Stadium: San Mamés (53,289)
Founded: 1898
Major Achievements: Athletic Bilbao has won La Liga 8 times and the Copa del Rey 24 times. They are one of only three clubs never to have been relegated from La Liga, alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Interesting Fact: Bilbao famously only fields players of Basque descent or those who trained in Basque Country academies.
9. Valencia CF
Stadium: Mestalla (48,600)
Founded: 1919
Major Achievements: Valencia has won La Liga 6 times and lifted the UEFA Cup and the Copa del Rey multiple times. They were UEFA Champions League runners-up in 2000 and 2001.
Interesting Fact: Valencia’s “bat” logo originates from the medieval symbol of the city.
10. Rayo Vallecano
Stadium: Estadio de Vallecas (14,708)
Founded: 1924
Major Achievements: Known as a club with strong community ties, Rayo Vallecano reached the Copa del Rey final in 1982 and has had several La Liga campaigns despite being one of the smaller clubs.
Interesting Fact: Rayo’s fans are known for their left-wing political activism, making Vallecas a unique football environment.
11. Osasuna
Stadium: El Sadar (23,516)
Founded: 1920
Major Achievements: Osasuna’s best La Liga finish was 4th in 2006, earning them a spot in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. They also reached the Copa del Rey final in 2005 and 2023.
Interesting Fact: Based in Pamplona, famous for the Running of the Bulls, Osasuna’s name means “health” in Basque.
12. Celta Vigo
Stadium: Balaídos (29,000)
Founded: 1923
Major Achievements: Celta Vigo has reached the Copa del Rey final three times and has consistently stayed in La Liga since their promotion in 2012.
Interesting Fact: Celta Vigo is named after the Celtic tribes that inhabited the region around Vigo in ancient times.
13. Getafe CF
Stadium: Coliseum Alfonso Pérez (17,393)
Founded: 1946 (re-founded in 1983)
Major Achievements: Getafe’s best La Liga finish was 5th in 2010. They have also reached the Copa del Rey final twice (2007, 2008).
Interesting Fact: Getafe is a small club from Madrid’s suburbs but has frequently punched above its weight in La Liga.
14. Alavés
Stadium: Mendizorrotza (19,840)
Founded: 1921
Major Achievements: Alavés is best known for their thrilling run to the 2001 UEFA Cup final, where they lost to Liverpool in a 5-4 golden goal thriller.
Interesting Fact: Alavés is based in Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Basque Country and shares rivalries with other Basque clubs like Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad.
15. Granada CF
Stadium: Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes (19,336)
Founded: 1931
Major Achievements: Granada reached the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals in 2021, marking their first-ever European campaign.
Interesting Fact: Granada is known for their fluctuating fortunes, frequently moving between La Liga and the Segunda División.
16. Las Palmas
Stadium: Estadio Gran Canaria (32,400)
Founded: 1949
Major Achievements: Las Palmas’ best La Liga finish was 2nd place in 1969. They returned to La Liga in 2023 after a spell in the lower divisions.
Interesting Fact: Based in the Canary Islands, Las Palmas offers one of the most exotic locations in European football.
17. Cádiz CF
Stadium: Nuevo Mirandilla (20,724)
Founded: 1910
Major Achievements: Cádiz has become known for their resilience in avoiding relegation. Their best finish in La Liga was 12th place in 2022.
Interesting Fact: Cádiz is famous for its passionate and boisterous fans, who always bring a party atmosphere to the stadium.
18. Mallorca
Stadium: Visit Mallorca Estadi (23,142)
Founded: 1916
Major Achievements: Mallorca won the Copa del Rey in 2003 and have had multiple stints in La Liga, with their best league finish being 3rd in 1999.
Interesting Fact: Mallorca is the largest club from the Balearic Islands and is known for producing quality talents like Samuel Eto’o.
19. Girona FC
Stadium: Estadi Montilivi (13,500)
Founded: 1930
Major Achievements: Girona gained promotion to La Liga for the first time in 2017 and has been a competitive side ever since. Their highest finish was 10th place in the 2022-23 season.
Interesting Fact: Girona is partially owned by the City Football Group, which also owns Manchester City.
20. Almería
Stadium: Power Horse Stadium (15,274)
Founded: 1989
Major Achievements: Almería achieved promotion to La Liga in 2022 after several seasons in the second division. Their best finish was 8th place in La Liga in 2008.
Interesting Fact: Almería is known for its strong academy, which has produced talents who have gone on to play for top European clubs.
