Elche FC is set for its third straight participation and the 24th in its long history. The league returns on Monday, and Benito Villamarín will host Betis on Monday, August 15, with kickoff scheduled for 21:30. The schedule includes weekdays and holidays alike, marking a blend of public celebrations and sporting commitments within the city of Elche as the Assumption of Mary, the Virgin Patron Saint, is observed.
The opening day, and the first Monday, is a moment many coaches and supporters dread. The repetition of a long training week robs players of rest during holidays, while the Monday spectacle often makes it difficult to travel to the stadium, as match days tend to stretch late into the evening and then the following workday looms. The first training cycle of the season thus feels heavier because it sits between holidays and late-night games, creating a rhythm that can dampen recovery and momentum.
The second Monday looms as well. Elche is scheduled to face Almería on Monday, August 22 at 20:00. So far, only two matches have been played, both on Mondays. The silver lining is that these Monday fixtures fall in August, and the very first one happens on a holiday, helping to soften the perceived impact of that Monday effect across the fan base.
In short, fans bear the brunt of these scheduling decisions in the pursuit of broader visibility for La Liga in other football markets. The organizers note that last season Elche faced Monday matches on eight separate occasions. The campaign began with a Monday kickoff on August 16 against Athletic Bilbao at their home ground, a fixture that set the pace for the rest of the season and a quick return to competition for the Elche squad.
Last season’s opener ended in a goalless draw that carried significant weight for Fran Escribá, the manager at the time, who would later depart in November after the club slid into relegation trouble. The temporary vacancy that followed saw Francisco take the reins and lead the team through a challenging period as the franjiverdes navigated the midseason turmoil.
heat against real
Saturday, August 27, brings a late-afternoon kickoff at 17:30, with temperatures forecast around 28 degrees Celsius. The Elche Coliseum is expected to become a heat chamber as La Liga Santander confirms the Elche versus Real Sociedad clash on the third matchday. It is a day that invites attention from global audiences watching on television, but the atmosphere on the ground may be tempered by the heat and the practical realities of attending a game in such conditions.
The week ahead offers only four full preparation days for the team, given the prior match is a Monday evening encounter. The upside is a couple of consecutive home fixtures, which minimizes travel stress and affords Francisco additional time to refine strategies. In any scenario, the squad arrives with a fresher perspective, particularly when local conditions provide a more comfortable recovery window before the next test, such as a previous Sunday when indoor conditions measured a comfortable 19 degrees.