Estadio Municipal de Butarque
The 14,500-capacity Estadio Municipal de Butarque, home of LaLiga side CD Leganés, opened in 1998. It is currently known for sponsorship purposes as Estadio Ontime Butarque.
The venue is known for its intimate, almost "boutique" atmosphere, quirky fan traditions - including the famous inflatable cucumber - and its strong underdog identity.
With its compact design and passionate local support, it is regarded as one of the coziest and most atmospheric community grounds in Spanish professional football.
Fans are nicknamed pepineros (cucumber growers) and famously wave inflatable cucumbers during matches owing to Leganés' agricultural history. The ground takes its name from Nuestra Señora de Butarque, the local patron saint of Leganés.
Capacity & Design
The capacity is around 14,500 following improvements carried out in 2024. The stadium was designed by the Y. León architectural practice and built by ACS. Its original construction cost was approximately 700 million Spanish pesetas, equivalent to roughly €4.2 million.
Butarque has a straightforward, functional design consisting of four main seating areas: the covered Tribuna, a lateral stand and the two ends, or fondos. The Tribuna is the most substantial and distinctive section, containing the main stand, press facilities and VIP areas and providing the stadium's only significant roof cover. The lateral and both ends are largely open.
The design has been progressively modernised rather than radically rebuilt. Improvements have included new seating, upgraded hospitality areas, a refurbished presidential box, improved press facilities, renovated toilets and an immersive experience area in the players' tunnel. In 2024 the club replaced the remaining older seats, helping to bring the stadium's capacity to around 14,500 (the official target).
The club's offices are located within the complex, while the adjacent facilities include the Estadio Anexo Jesús Polo, used by the club's reserve and youth teams.
Recent Investment and Improvements
The stadium has entered another phase of modernisation following the 50-year concession granted to CD Leganés by the municipality in 2025. The agreement involves a total concession payment of €16.85 million, with the club paying an annual amount of €337,055.92, indexed to inflation. The agreement also provides for improvements to Butarque and other facilities in the city.
In August 2026, the club announced a further investment of more than €2 million in the redevelopment of the area outside the stadium, particularly the space in front of Puerta 0. The project is intended to create a more accessible and versatile public space suitable for sporting, social and cultural activities.
Stadium Tours
The half-hour guided tour takes visitors behind the scenes, with access to restricted areas including the dressing rooms, players' tunnel, press room, pitch and hospitality areas. The tour also includes the trophy room, where visitors can see the club's LaLiga Hypermotion Championship title.
History of the Stadium
Butarque was constructed between 1997 and 1998 to replace Leganés' former home, the Estadio Municipal Luis Rodríguez de Miguel, which had served the club since 1966. The new stadium was officially opened on 14 February 1998, when Leganés drew 1-1 with Xerez in a Segunda División match. Xerez's Fernando Román scored the first goal at the stadium, while Julián Ronda became the first Leganés player to score there.
The stadium originally held 8,138 spectators, but a series of expansions followed the club's remarkable rise. After Leganés reached La Liga for the first time in 2016, the capacity was increased to 10,954, followed by further expansion in 2017. Subsequent improvements eventually brought the capacity to 12,454, before the latest refurbishment increased it to 13,089 seats in 2024 with a target of 14,500 seats.
Butarque has witnessed some of the most important moments in the club's history, including Leganés' first promotion to La Liga and its return to the top flight in 2024. The stadium has also hosted major women's football matches, including the 2021 Copa de la Reina final and the 2024 Spanish Women's Super Cup final.
CD Leganés
CD Leganés has featured several notable players and managers, particularly during its rise to La Liga. Among the best-known players are Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, who spent time at the club on loan from Real Madrid early in his career, Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, Danish forward Martin Braithwaite, long-serving captain Unai Bustinza and midfielder Javier Eraso, who was closely associated with the club's rise through the divisions.
The club's most celebrated manager is Asier Garitano, who guided Leganés from Segunda División B to La Liga for the first time in 2016. Other notable managers include Javier Aguirre, Mauricio Pellegrino and Borja Jiménez, who have all coached the club in recent history.
CD Leganés was officially founded in June 1928 by Félix Pérez de la Serna. The club's nickname is "Los Pepineros", meaning "the cucumber growers", a reference to the cucumber crops historically associated with the town of Leganés. The club's traditional colors are blue and white, which were adopted permanently in the 1950s and reflect the colors of the municipality.
Accessibility
Butarque provides designated access for spectators with reduced mobility. LaLiga's official stadium information identifies Gates 6 and 7 as the entrances for disabled spectators, with the stadium plan specifically marking routes and areas for people with reduced mobility.
Wheelchair users should check their match ticket carefully before travelling because the appropriate entrance and seating location depend on the ticket purchased. It is also sensible to contact CD Leganés in advance if assistance is required, particularly for a first visit or when attending a busy match.
The stadium's accessibility is also part of the wider modernisation programme. The club's latest external redevelopment project specifically aims to make the area around Butarque more accessible, while the stadium itself has continued to receive improvements to its seating, facilities and circulation areas.
Access - Getting There
The stadium is at Calle Arquitectura Leganés, Madrid, in the northern part of Leganés.
By Metro: The nearest MetroSur station is San Nicasio, from where the stadium can be reached on foot.
By bus: Leganés is served by several bus routes, including 1, 450, 480, 483, 484, 486, 488 and 493, with services connecting the town to Madrid and surrounding areas.
By car: There is parking in the vicinity of the stadium, although spaces can become difficult to find around match times. Visitors with reduced mobility should check the arrangements for accessible parking before travelling.
Address: Calle Arquitectura, s/n 28914 Leganés, Madrid, Spain
Nearby Hotels
Madrid has a range of hotels, guest houses and pensions to suit all budgets. Find hotel accommodation in Madrid.
The Hotel101 - Madrid is a 4-star property with a fitness center, seasonal outdoor swimming pool, and a children's playground.
The four-star Hotel Pinar Plaza features a rooftop swimming pool, sun terrace, and lush garden.
The UMusic Hotel Madrid is located in downtown Madrid, offering easy access to attractions such as Plaza Mayor (a three-minute walk), Mercado San Miguel, and Puerta del Sol.
Other places include the excellent, 4-star Catalonia Plaza España Hotel & Spa offering a rooftop swimming pool, fitness center, sun terrace, and restaurant.
Stadiums in Spain
Estadio Nuevo Ramón de Carranza Cadiz
Estadio Nuevo Colombino Huelva
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