Estadio Lluís Sitjar

Estadio Lluís Sitjar is the former stadium of Real Mallorca which first opened in 1945. With a capacity of 18,000 the stadium was used up until 1999 when the club moved into Son Moix (now Iberostar Estadi). It has around 300 shareholders, but the club hold the majority 30% share.

Real Mallorca B continued to use the stadium up until 2007 when the gates were closed. The club stated maintenance costs of the stadium were far too high considering it was only used by their reserve side. The stadium has not been used since and now lies under metres of overgrowth. The only attention the stadium has received is raising fences to keep out drug addicts after plans to build a theme park were scrapped.

Fresh concerns over the stadiums quick deterioration were raised again in September 2010 after a fire spread through the stadiums overgrowth. Although this was brought under control, the club’s new owners placed the stadium on their agenda of problems to solve. Talks have begun with the Palma town council and they hope to have a solution by November 2010.

Squatters Paradise

In February 2008, El Mundo accessed the ground through one of the two holes which allow people to get into the grounds. They commented on how it was ‘a breeze’ to gain entry, and that many knew those secrets too. During the few hours in which the reports were inside the ground, they came across five people. Two on the pitch playing football and three in the locker room. They admitted that people go there ‘to sleep’ as that part of the stadium remains in total darkness due to the power cut.

The first impressions are overwhelming. The playing field is completely destroyed. Wind and rain has destroyed the grass which in turn has grown thick, brown grass. Vegetation has invaded the bench area.

On the grass is a diversity of objects. A TV, skateboard, condoms, jeans and about two dozen Spanish flags. Vegetation has also invaded the stands, but you can still sit there. You just need to clean away the powdered dirt.

As you approach the tunnel, the sense of danger increases. Due to the lack of natural light, torches have to be used. The ground is littered with broken glass, rusty iron and cables and it is imperative that you know where you are stepping. And inside the stadium, towards the locker rooms, where was once graced by the likes of Maradona, Schuster, Di Stéfano and Raúl, is in ruins.The only door that remains on it’s hinges is the doorway to the home side dressing room.