Getafe supporters are an ever-expanding group, which is remarkable, considering their neighbours are Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, teams with more substantial pedigrees. Yet it's not a surprise when tennis legend Rafael Nadal or Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso get sighted at the stands of Coliseum, the home ground of Getafe CF.
The team from the community of Madrid has a reputation of being a junior member of La Liga because it got re-established in 1983. However, perceptions do not bother players and fans. They take pride in a long run in the top tier of Spanish football, except for the 2016–17 season, which they spent in the Second Division after being relegated at the end of 2015–16.
The club was never a title contender, and as a matter of fact, the only real chance to win a trophy was the two Copa del Rey finals in the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons. Both times the popular Deep Blue Ones were a worthy opponent but could not overcome Sevilla FC and Valencia FC.
Lack of success is not discouraging to fans, who are happy to watch their team regularly play against football giants such as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in the La Liga. The attractive opponents drive demand for tickets, and fans interested in watching Getafe CF play the best football clubs in La Liga can buy tickets at SeatPick for home matches. The median price for a season game is £60, but it can go over face value on the secondary market.
About Getafe CF Football Tickets
Officially, the football story of Getafe starts in 1983, but the origin story runs much deeper in history. Some are willing to trace the club's roots back to 1923 and Sociedad Getafe Deportivo, a local team that competed in lower divisions. However, if it weren't for the financial difficulties experienced in the 1980s, 1945 would still have counted as the founding date.
At this time, several locals decided to form Club Getafe Deportivo. The first leap forward arrived in the 1956–57 season with promotion to the Third Division. In the 1970s, the team participated in the Second Division. But after the end of the 1981–82 season, the looming bankruptcy forced relegation and liquidation.
However, a few years previously, another club Peña Madridista Getafe emerged on the local scene. In 1983, they saw a chance to fill the vacuum left by Sociedad Getafe Deportivo and decided to merge with Club Getafe Promesas, filing for a reregistration. As a new entity, Getafe CF started claiming the regional leagues. After 21 seasons in lower tiers, the team made it to La Liga in the 2004-05 season.
It may not have had significant results in the domestic league. Still, on three occasions, it ventured out on the European stage, competing in the UEFA Cup and its rebranded format UEFA Europa League in 2007-08, 2010-11 and 2019-20 seasons. With the best foray being the quarterfinals in 2008.
Supporters can buy Getafe CF tickets at SeatPick. Fans can use the website to view tickets for football matches over face value and find affordable ticket prices for home and away games at Camp Nou, San Sebastian and other venues.
Major Rivalry
The geographic proximity is responsible for the animosity between Getafe and CD Leganés. Back in the old days, both clubs faced off regularly in the lower divisions, but as Getafe began ascending, the derby started getting sidelined. Getafe developed an interest in more prominent Spanish brands, nurturing a rivalry with Barcelona and neighbour Real Madrid. Leganés became relevant only during occasional Copa del Rey encounters.
Top Managers
For a coach, keeping your job at Getafe is mission impossible past the first season. There have been over 30 managers on the bench since 1983. Some names that stand out are José Bordalás, Luis Sánchez Duque, and Luis García.
Famous Footballers that Played for the Deep Blue Ones
There have been many A-list players that have shown interest in joining Getafe, but some players that contributed to the club's results and got fondly remembered by fans include:
- Damián Suárez
- Pedro León
- Cata Díaz
- Jorge Molina
Estadio Coliseum – Getafe, Spain
Stadium Name: Estadio Coliseum
Capacity: 17,393
Address: Avenida Teresa de Calcuta S/N, 28903, Getafe
Description: Getafe's original home Estadio Las Margaritas was outgrown in the 1990s when the team started considering moving to a newer venue. Luckily, the municipality stepped in and built the stadium, which opened in 1998 as the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. In October 2023, the club dropped Alfonso Pérez's name from the venue following inappropriate comments he made about women's football, and it has since been known simply as the Coliseum (or Estadio Coliseum). The capacity of 17,393 seats resulted from an upgrade after the promotion to La Liga in 2004. Although fans think the venue is impersonal, it's undisputed that it has been a stage for the club's biggest achievements.
Best Way to Travel
Getafe is a suburb of the Spanish capital city, and the stadium is located south of Madrid, about 7 miles from its centre. Reaching the Coliseum will not pose a problem, thanks to the public transportation network.
By Metro
Metro Line 12 stops at station Los Espartales, which is a 5-minute walk away from the venue.
By Bus
If starting your journey in southern Madrid, buses 443 and 448 are the best options for arriving on time for kick-off.
By Train
A Cercanía commuter train is accessible from stations Atocha, Sol or Chamartin and can transport fans to station Las Margaritas Universidad, which is a 15-minute walk to the stadium.