Spain’s La Liga is one of the most popular professional soccer leagues in the world. It is made up of 20 teams, all of which are based in Spain.
In this article, we will take a look at each of the teams represented in La Liga and learn a little bit about their history!
1. Alavés
One of Spain’s oldest football clubs, Alavés was formed on July 1, 1920, in the Basque Country area of the northeastern country. They wear blue and white stripes on their shirt and shorts, as well as white socks at home. Mendizorrotza Stadium, where they play at home, can hold up to 19,840 people.
In recent years, Alavés have established themselves as a solid mid-table team in La Liga with a few close calls at qualifying for European competitions. With a rich history and passionate fan base, Deportivo Alavés are one of the most unique and interesting clubs in Spanish football.
Click here to know more about Spanish La Liga
2. Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao is a professional football team based in the Spanish city of Bilbao. They are one of three founder members of La Liga that have never been demoted since the league’s creation in 1929. The team’s home colors are striped red and white jerseys with black shorts, and their home venue is San Mamés Stadium.
The club has a rich history dating back over 115 years and is one of the most popular teams in Spain. Their fans are renowned for their passion and loyalty, creating an electric atmosphere at home games. If you’re ever in Bilbao, make sure to check out a game at San Mamés – it’s an experience you won’t forget!
3. Atlético Madrid
Atletico Madrid is one of the most successful Spanish football clubs. They have won the league title eleven times, and also have ten Copa Del Rey trophies. In addition, they have two UEFA Champions League runner-up titles. The club plays its home games at Wanda Metropolitano, which has a 68,456 capacity.
The club has a rich history and tradition and is one of the most popular teams in Spain. Supporters of Atletico Madrid are passionate about their team, and the club enjoys a large following both inside and outside of Spain.
They’ve won the Europa League, as well as the UEFA Super Cup in 2010, 2012, and 2018.
4. Barcelona
Barcelona is more than just a football club–it’s a symbol of Catalan culture and nationalism.
Footballers from Switzerland, Spain, Germany, and England formed the club in 1899 under the leadership of Joan Gamper, and it has gone on to become one of the world’s most successful and well-known football teams ever.
Barcelona is known for its unique style of play, which combines speed, technique, and power. The team colors are dark shades of blue and red stripes, which has led to the team’s nickname Blaugrana.
Fans sing the official Barcelona hymn, “Cant del Barça,” before every game. Més que un club? Definitely.
5. Cádiz
Cádiz Club de Fútbol, more commonly known as just Cádiz, is a historic Spanish football club based in the beautiful Andalusian city of Cádiz. The club was founded in 1910, making it one of the oldest football clubs in Spain with a rich history.
Over the years, the club has produced some of the best players in Spain, including Salvadoran legend Mágico González. The club has a strong connection to its local community and is well-supported by its fans. Cádiz CF is a proud club with a long and successful history.
6. Celta Vigo
Founded in 1923, Celta de Vigo is a professional football club based in the Galician city of Vigo. They never won the league or Copa del Rey. However, Celta reached the semi-finals of the Europa League for the first time in 2017, losing to Manchester United.
The name of the club is taken from the Celts, who historically inhabited the region. Celta plays their home games at BalaÃdos, a 29,000-seat stadium on the Atlantic coast.
7. Elche
Elche Club de Fútbol, commonly known as Elche, is a Spanish football club with a long and illustrious history. They are based in the Valencian Community’s province of Alicante and were founded in 1923. Today, they compete at Estadio Manuel MartÃnez Valero, which has a capacity of 33,732 seats.
8. Espanyol
Espanyol is a professional sports club that has been around since 1900. The club is based in Barcelona, Spain, and is known for playing in La Liga- which happens to be the highest division of Spanish football.
Out of all the Copa del Rey tournaments, Espanyol has won four times with the most recent being in 2006. Not to mention, the club has also reached UEFA Cup final in 1988 and 2007.
When it comes to home games, they’re playing at RCDE Stadium which can seat up to 40,000 people. All in all, Espanyol is a historic sports club that fighting tooth and nail to maintain their success.
9. Getafe
This professional football team originated from the city of Getafe, located just outside of Madrid. When it began in 1946, it only lasted just a few years later. It wasn’t until 1983 that a group of local businessmen decided to breathe new life into the team and it’s been competing at a professional level ever since.
One of its most notable achievements was qualifying for La Liga, Spain’s top football division, in 2004 and remaining there for 12 consecutive seasons until 2016.
Despite a one-year absence, the club was able to return to La Liga for the 2017-2018 season. Coliseum Alfonso Pérez has a capacity of more than 17,000 people and hosts the club’s home games.
So if you’re ever in Madrid and looking for a good football match to watch, be sure to check out Getafe!
10. Granada
The Spanish football club, Granada Club de Futbol, is based in the lovely city of Granada. The club was founded in 1931 and over the years has made a name for itself, not only in Spain but in the world of competitive football.
La Liga has been home to the club since they were promoted in 2011, however, they have recently been relegated for the 2021-22 season.
Though this is disappointing news for fans, the team placed a respectable seventh in the 2019-20 season and secured a place in the UEFA Europa League for the first time. This is a huge accomplishment and fans are hopeful that Granada will make an impact in European competition.
11. Levante
Levante Union Deportiva football club is based in the city of Valencia, which lies on the country’s southeastern coast, and their home stadium is at Ciutat de València.
The club was founded in 1909 as Levante Football Club, which references the Levante wind that blows in from the east. It was in 1939 when Levante FC united with Gimnástico FC to become the “Levante Unión Deportiva.”
Levante has a passionate fan base and due to their underdog status (relatively speaking), they are considered one of La Liga’s most likable clubs.
In recent years, Levante has established themselves as a solid mid-table club in La Liga, and they will look to continue climbing the standings in the coming seasons.
12. Mallorca
Mallorca was formed in March 1916 and has seen success in the past, finishing third in La Liga in 1999 and 2001 and winning the Copa del Rey in 2003. Mallorca also won the Supercopa de Espaa in 1998 and advanced to the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final in 1999.
Currently, Mallorca plays its home games at the Visit Mallorca Stadium, which has a capacity of 23,142 seats. The team colors are red shirts with black shorts and socks. Football fans worldwide follow the team’s progress eagerly, hoping for more success in future seasons.
13. Osasuna
Osasuna is a Spanish football club founded in 1920 and situated in Pamplona, Navarre. The club’s nickname is “Los Rojillos” (The Little Reds), while “osasuna” is a Basque term that signifies “health” in the sense of “strength” or “vigour.”
The home outfit of Osasuna consists of a red shirt and navy blue shorts. The club has never won a national championship, although in 2005 it reached the final of the Copa del Rey. Its best finishes in the league were fourth in 1990–1991 and 2005.
Despite not having won any major trophies, Osasuna remains a beloved club by its fans who appreciate its tenacity on the pitch. The team plays with grit and determination, always giving their all for the fans.
This passion is what makes Osasuna so special and why the club has such a devoted following.
14. Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid is a Spanish professional football team that has been around since 1924. The team is based in Madrid, specifically in the neighbourhood of Vallecas. Right now, Rayo competes in La Liga after a promotion from the 2020-2021 Segunda División.
When playing at home, Rayo does so at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas stadium which can seat up to 14,708 people.
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid is a well-known Spanish football team that has a rich history dating back almost a century and is known for their competitive spirit and has a large fan following.
The team has seen success in recent years and looks to continue their winning ways in the future. If you are ever in Madrid, be sure to catch a Rayo Vallecano de Madrid match! You won’t be disappointed.
15. Real Betis
Real Betis is a Seville-based professional football team. They were established on 12 September 1907 and played in La Liga. The club has won the league title once, in 1935, and the Copa del Rey three times, in 1977, 2005, and 2022. The Estadio Benito Villamarin, which has a capacity of nearly 60,000, is where they play their home games.
Despite their success, the club has also a history of several relegations, giving rise to their motto: ¡Viva el Betis manque (aunque) pierda!, meaning “Long live Betis even when they lose!”.
Nevertheless, they continue to fight on and are one of the most popular teams in Spain. Their supporters are some of the most passionate in all of football and create an electric atmosphere at their home games.
If you ever have the chance to see them play, it is an experience you will never forget.
16. Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Futbol, or simply Real Madrid, is one of the most popular and successful football clubs in the world. The Spanish giants have a long and proud history, dating back to 1902 when they were founded by a group of passionate fans.
Since 1947, the club has played its home games in the 81,044-seat Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
One of the things that set Real Madrid apart from other clubs is their iconic white shirt. The all-white look has become synonymous with Real Madrid, and it is one of the many things that make them unique.
Another thing that sets them apart is their status as one of only three teams to have never been relegated from Spain’s top football division, La Liga.
This is a testament to their consistency and success over the years, and it is something that the club and its fans are immensely proud of.
17. Real Sociedad
With roots dating back to the year 1909, Real Sociedad is a venerable Spanish professional sports club.
Since its inception, the club has seen great success, winning the Liga title in 1980–81 and 1981–82, as well as finishing second in 1979–80, 1987–88, and 2002–03. Apart from that, Real Sociedad has three Copa del Rey titles in 1909, 1987, and 2020 under its belt.
Throughout its history, Real Sociedad has been a founding member of La Liga in 1929 and spent 40 seasons in the top flight from 1967 to 2007. The team plays its home games at the Anoeta Stadium- which provides an electric atmosphere for supporters on game day.
All in all, Real Sociedad is a well-established and decorated club with a proud history.
18. Sevilla
Formed in 1890, Sevilla Fútbol Club is one of the oldest and most successful Spanish football clubs. Based in the city of Seville, the club has won the UEFA Europa League a record six times.
They also have a long-standing rivalry with their cross-city rivals Real Betis. The club’s home ground is the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, which can seat 43,883 fans.
Throughout their history, Sevilla has always been a popular and successful club, with a large and passionate fan base.
If you’re ever in Seville, make sure to check out a match at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium – it’s an experience you won’t forget!
19. Valencia
Few cities can claim as strong a connection to football as Valencia. The sport has been played in the city for over a hundred years, and Valencia CF is one of the most successful and popular clubs in Spain.
Since its foundation in 1919, the club has won 6 championships in La Liga, 8 in Copa del Rey, 1 in Supercopa de España, 1 in Copa Eva Duarte, and 7 in European competitions.
They play their home games at the 55,000-seater Mestalla since 1923. But in recent years, the club has undergone something of a renaissance, with a new 75,000-seater Nou Mestalla stadium in the works that will help accommodate the growing demand for tickets.
20. Villarreal
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, nicknamed “El Submarà Groguet” or “El Submarino Amarillo” because of their yellow home kit, is a Spanish football club founded in 1923. The Estadio de la Cerámica in Villarreal, Spain has been their home ground since 1923 and has a capacity of 23,500 seats.
On August 31, 1998, Villarreal made its La Liga debut against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, where they lost 4-1 after taking the lead just three minutes into the match. Despite this, Villarreal has enjoyed success in subsequent years, reaching the semi-finals of the 2006 and 2022 UEFA Champions League, and the 2021 UEFA Europa League.
The secret to the success of this modest club is its strong community support and engagement. The fans are passionate and create an electric atmosphere at home games, which inspires the players to perform at their best. In addition, the club has invested in its youth academy to ensure that local talent is nurtured and developed.
This commitment to its roots has paid off and Villarreal is now reaping the rewards. While other clubs may come and go, Villarreal is here to stay.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, the 20 teams that make up La Liga. Spanish football is some of the most exciting and passionate in the world, so if you haven’t already, be sure to check out a match from any of these teams!
You won’t regret it.