idea avant-garde, innovative, detailed, attentive. It may spark debate, yet the priority is clear: elevate the club’s image through every nuance big and small. Elche aims to demonstrate its standing by renovating the dressing rooms at the Martínez Valero stadium, addressing needs from the ground up.
Plagued by dampness and an aging setup, the franciverde gallery decided to banish lingering moisture. A full refurbishment of players’ rooms occurred before, at halftime, and after matches. The overhaul serves not only the home squad but also the visitors, ensuring a complete, modern experience.
Elche’s largest shareholder, Christian Bragarnik, told this newspaper that the club should be proud to showcase a distinctive style of dressing. It seems prudent not to invest differently in the visitor’s locker room merely because the opponent arrives for competition, but rather to bring parity where it matters. The aim is not to privilege one side over the other, but to set a standard for all.
On the pitch, the objective is to win with the best resources; off the pitch, visitors deserve the same level of respect and comfort, Bragarnik noted.
Thus Elche set out to equip the visiting dressing room with the same furniture and equipment as the home room. The space now features cutting‑edge lighting and decor tailored to each match, ensuring a welcoming ambience for every opponent.
The visiting room at the Elche stadium now fosters a sense of familiarity for the guests. LED lighting recreates the right atmosphere for each event, using the colors of the visiting club. Each locker is adorned with a shield representing the opponent. The room is generous in size, with dedicated spaces to hang gear, an individual chair, and a drawer beneath the seat for shoes. A grass‑green floating floor adds a distinctive touch.
Coaches and heads of other clubs have expressed admiration for the locker room’s innovations. Bragarnik affirmed that the club intends to keep pursuing new ideas to solidify Elche as a benchmark in Spanish football.
The club’s leadership emphasizes originality and the potential to inspire other teams, suggesting that Elche could become a reference model across the league.
The initiative began with a plan to deploy against FC Barcelona. In the March 6 away match that ended 1‑2, Elche staged a dressing room set in Blaugrana colors with distinctive shields. Xavi Hernández, Barcelona’s coach, congratulated the team on the comfort and atmosphere created in the hall.
Other rivals followed, including Valencia, Real Sociedad, Mallorca, Osasuna, Atlético de Madrid, and Getafe. Bragarnik remarked with pride that LaLiga now features some of the league’s finest locker rooms, both at home and away. He credited Xavi with spotlighting design and details that empower ongoing growth for the club.
Elche’s focus extends beyond players and technical staff to rival club managers, offering a refined hospitality experience during matches. Even in pandemic times, a curated service was provided, with careful, individually prepared meals delivered in compact boxes.
Last April 1 marked a return to normalcy when beverages and food consumption in stadiums resumed. Elche reopened the VIP dining area used by directors seated in the stands of the authorities, reinforcing the club’s standing as a first‑division institution delivering premium service to members and guests.