Valencia - Autumn Sport Events

Valencia's beaches and striking buildings, from the historic old town to the modernistic City of Arts and Sciences, have provided a dramatic backdrop to some of the most important events in the sporting calendar.

City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia

Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray are among the tennis stars who have taken part in the Valencia Open 500 Tennis; F1 drivers have raced around the city streets in previous years; the oldest sporting trophy in the world, the prestigious America's Cup sailing race, has been held in Valencia twice; and Valencia FC is one of the top football club's in Spain.

Throughout the year, there are fabulous sporting events for you to watch or join in, so you can book your holiday in Valencia to coincide with your favourite sport.

Mestalla, home to Valencia FC

The Mestalla is an impressive, old football stadium where thousands cheer on Valencia FC in LaLiga against football giants such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

You can take a guided tour of the stadium throughout the year to find out more about the club's lengthy history, former Valencia players such as David Villa, David Silva, Juan Mata and Santi Canizares and ex-coaches including Rafa Benitez, Unai Emery and Quique Sanchez Flores.


Valencia FC

Their form has dipped in the past couple of seasons but they are still top of the league when it comes to their loyal fans who whistle and sing throughout the games.

Try to avoid the tickets right at the top of the 55,000-seater stadium, especially if you don't like heights, because it is pretty steep. For that reason, you may want to avoid the big games such as Real and Barca as the stadium is packed so you might end up in the Gods if you do manage to get your hands on a ticket.

After the game, you can enjoy a drink in one of the bars opposite the stadium to watch the players come out.

Some will even go for a meal in one of the local restaurants after the match so you might get the chance of a selfie with the players.

Valencia FC,Mestalla stadium, Avenida de Suecia, Valencia

 About four kilometres from the Mestalla are Valencia's rivals, Levante UD, although they have now been relegated to the second division.

This is a smaller ground with a capacity of about 26,000 so you'll always get a decent view from your seat.

Levante UD,Ciutat de Valencia, Valencia

Marathon efforts in Valencia

Each autumn Valencia hosts the Trinidad Alfonso run attracting thousands of runners with this year's event taking place on November 20.

The 42-kilometre marathon route is cleverly designed to pass the most iconic landmarks in the city including the City of Arts and Sciences, the bullring, Mestalla football stadium, Valencia cathedral, town hall and the Quart Towers.

Valencia Marathon

The route covers practically every corner of the beach city with an incredible finale involving a run through the City of Arts and Sciences complex.

The city also hosts a 10k race taking place parallel to the marathon and finishing on the City of Arts and Sciences walkway.

Events running alongside the race usually include live music, children's activities and a paella party. About 16,000 athletes compete in the marathon with a further 13,000 for the half marathon of 21 kilometres on October 23, going past Valencia's historic buildings with the finish line by a beautiful, sandy beach.

In 2018, Valencia has also been honoured to host the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships to further its aim to become a city of road runners with IAAF President Sebastian Coe congratulating the city for its impressive presentation.

Whether you love to run or just to watch the champions pass by, you can find a lovely apartment in Valencia city and enjoy the atmosphere of the event.

Cheste - Valencia MotoGP

Valencia Moto Gp

Fans of fast bikes and cars will be wanting to join in the action at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, where some of the most important bike and car competitions have been staged.

The motor sport race track is named in honour of the world champion motorcyclist Richard Tormo, who died in 1998 and was born in the Valencia province.

There's room for 120.000 spectators including a 65,000-seater grandstand designed so that you do not miss any of the action as well as VIP areas.

During the year you can see the MotoGP World Championships plus other events as the circuit has been chosen for pre-season testing for F1, F3 and GT racing teams as well as the World Touring Car Championship and the German Touring Car Championship.

The circuit is located in Cheste, 30km west of Valencia - easy reach even from your Valencia beach apartment.

Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Salida 334, A-3, 46380 Cheste.

Follow Valencia basketball team

Valencia's professional basketball team plays in the ACB league and the Eurocup.

Valencia Basket Club

They have had a lot of success in the league, Copa del Rey cup and the Eurocup with some key players in the past including Matt Nielsen of Australia and Justin Doellman of America.

Many present team members play for their country, so you'll get to see some quality sportsmen during the game.

It's a fast-paced game as the players try to shoot the ball through the hoop and it's easy to appreciate why many Americans and Canadians prefer the sport to football.

Valencia Basket Club,Pavello Font de Sant Lluís, Avenida de los Hermanos Maristas, 16, Valencia

Atp Valencia - Great tennis in an unique setting

Valencia Open Tennis

Some of the world's highest-ranking tennis players have flown in to Valencia in the autumn for the Valencia Open 500 held in the City of Arts and Sciences.

Andy Murray won the tournament in 2014, Javea-born David Ferrer has won the tournament three times, while Fernando Verdasco and Rafa Nadal have played here too.

It's an incredible atmosphere as the centre court holds up to 3,500 spectators so it feels pretty intimate.

The tickets are a bargain too but they do sell out quickly for the singles, doubles and wheelchair tournaments.

Unfortunately, the open isn't being held in 2016 but hopefully will be back next year.

As well as the tennis, the competition is a great event for everyone as it has a fun park with shopping, entertainment and restaurants - you don't even need a ticket for this complex.

About 200,000 visitors each year enjoy the unique atmosphere with the chance of glimpsing some of the top players taking part in promotion events or making special appearances to sign autographs.

Valencia Open Tennis, City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia