Elche CF and its Club Federation celebrate a full century with two landmark gatherings that unite players, fans, and communities. On Tuesday, April 25, the federation launches two major observances. The first is the Big Respect Gala for Fans at seven in the evening at the Gran Teatro. This gala honors a century of devotion, loyalty, and shared passion from supporters whose unwavering commitment has shaped Elche s story each season.
Even as the team endures a difficult spell on the field and faces the real possibility of relegation to the Second Division, the Federation of Fan Clubs keeps this milestone focused and meaningful. Franjiverdes supporters have shown steadfast dedication to Elche for more than a hundred years, turning every season into a collective memory and a source of city pride.
Federation leadership describes the Gran Teatro as a temporary echo of Martínez Valero for the night, offering an intimate atmosphere, recollections of long remembered moments, and a few lighthearted surprises. The federation chair notes that the event will celebrate the club s enduring bond with fans and the wider community, recognizing those who have stood by Elche through thick and thin.
From the start of the year, the Peñas del Elche Federation has coordinated activities to mark the Centennial. The opening act featured a large banner unfurled at City Hall along the pedestrian promenade on January 10, marking the moment when the presence of the franjiverdes was officially acknowledged within the federation a century ago.
Images of the January banner placement captured by the press remain a symbol of the early steps in this centennial journey.
Following that, a painting and storytelling contest for schoolchildren was announced. The jury s decision will be revealed on May 4. In addition, the peñas have brought Elche s spirit to different parts of the country, visiting with first team players, signing autographs with boys and girls, and posing for photos, spreading the club s energy to new communities including Catral and other towns that will host more visits in the near future.
On May 14 another major event unfolds a Sunday gathering at Paseo de La Estación near the Atlético Madrid match which will feature the second large centennial celebration at the Martínez Valero stadium. The event starts at 6 30 in the evening and will showcase a grand coexistence day with a giant paella, fireworks, and a mascletá accompanied by musical parades and games. The night will celebrate the enduring unity between Elche and its fans with music and activities suitable for all ages.
All activities are organized by the Peñas del Elche CF Federation with support from the provincial council the city council and several private partners that help the peñas reach more fans. The initiative reflects a broad community effort to honor a hundred years of football history fan culture and the social ties that bind the club to its city and region.
The celebrations are designed to resonate beyond local borders as Elche s story connects with fans in Canada and the United States who follow the team online at international events and through diaspora exchanges. The centennial events emphasize not only the club s sporting journey but also its role as a cultural symbol that brings people together expanding the club s narrative of unity across continents. The federation s coordinated program shows how fans communities and local government can collaborate to sustain a shared heritage and to inspire future generations of supporters volunteers and young players in North America and beyond.