The sunny Canary Islands are not only a fantastic holiday destination for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life but also for those who love football. UD Las Palmas is the islands’ biggest club and plays in the Estadio de Gran Canaria, but its old home ground is particularly worth a visit.
The people of Gran Canaria are incredibly proud of UD Las Palmas, the local professional side founded in 1949 to keep the islands’ most talented players home. Unfortunately, this goal has not been achieved, but the club has significantly contributed to Spanish football. UD Las Palmas has developed some incredible talents over the years. Recently, FC Barcelona’s star man Pedri, Villarreal’s wonderkid Yeremy Pino and winger Vitolo, who has made 12 caps for the Spanish national team, played in Pio-Pio’s academy.
The Estadio de Gran Canaria (capacity: 32,400) is the largest stadium in the Canary Islands. The Arena in Las Palmas was opened in 2003. Back then, the ground still had a running track around the pitch, but in the meantime, this has been replaced with stands. The stadium appears small from the outside because the pitch has been dug into the ground. The stadium's blue and yellow industrial gates, which you can also see from inside, are a lovely ode to the harbour.
It is a beautiful open arena with canary yellow and bright blue seats. You also get a view of the surrounding apartments from the top rows. The only disadvantage is that you are sitting quite far from the pitch.
The fans were upset when they moved to the Estadio de Gran Canaria, especially when there was still a running track. They left their old ground in the city centre with an aching heart. The old Estadio Insular was UD Las Palmas’ home from 1949 and 2003. This is where the club had its biggest successes, including a second-place finish in the first division in 1969.
The new Estadio de Gran Canaria is far outside the city centre, next to a cemetery and a large shopping mall, so this is far from ideal. The old Estadio Insular was abandoned for eleven years, but nowadays, it is a beautiful park. Some of the stands still exist and have been decorated with colourful flowers. You can find murals of former players. The old facade now acts as a fence. It is hard to think of a better second life for a stadium.
You will find a rather special statue of former Manchester City player David Silva at the Estadio de Gran Canaria. The midfielder, born in Gran Canaria, never played for UD Las Palmas. Not even in their youth academy. But David Silva still is a local hero to the Canarios. The statue is not as beautiful as the one in Manchester. It looks like he has got a bad back and a long neck. You could easily call it one of the world’s ugliest statues. However, it still is a lovely tribute to El Mago, who hopefully will shine in the kit of Pio-Pio someday soon.
In one of the streets surrounding the old stadium, you will find Bar Restaurante Tatono, owned by the former Spanish footballer Tatono. It almost feels like a museum because the walls are filled with historical team photos and pictures of the footballer himself. Today, Tatono’s son runs the bar whilst his 83-year-old dad is enjoying his retirement.
Around the stadium, you will find many bars and restaurants where fans get together on match days, like Restaurante El Rincón de Willy, Cervecería Caña Aquí or Bar-Pizzeria La Vita Nova 7 Palmas. We, however, would spend our day differently. First, we would enjoy a lovely little breakfast at one of the restaurants near Playa de Las Canteras. Then we would explore the old home ground and kick a ball ourselves on Playa de Las Alcaravaneras. At last, we would have a quick pint at Tatono before heading to the stadium before kick-off.
Do you want to visit David Silva’s hometown, luxury beach club or vineyard on Gran Canaria? Read our SANTOS guide to the Canary Islands with many tips on where to go in Gran Canaria and Tenerife, the neighbouring island where Pedri was born and raised.
Tickets for UD Las Palmas can easily be purchased on the club’s official website. Please note that, like many other Spanish clubs, ticket sale usually starts quite late.
The stadium is far outside the city centre and therefore more difficult to reach. The fastest way to get there is by ordering a taxi or taking the bus to Pintor Felo Monzón. Bus 26, 44, 45, 91 and L3 stop at this station.
