Navalcarnero-Betis cup tie to be played in Alcorcón

The Copa del Rey first-round match between CDA Navalcarnero and Betis will be played at the Santo stadium in Alcorcón on Wednesday, 28 October, at 21:00. The Madrid club sought a venue change to increase capacity: the Mariano González in Navalcarnero can admit only around 1,500 people, compared with 5,100 at Santo Domingo, also in Alcorcón.

Navalcarnero contacted the RFEF and received approval to move the tie to Santo Domingo. The club said the change was intended to allow more of its supporters to attend a fixture it regards as an exceptional occasion in its history.

“A historic match deserves to be experienced by all our supporters,” Navalcarnero said in a statement. The club noted that the Copa del Rey draw had given it the opportunity to face Real Betis Balompié. It also pointed out that its ground, with room for around 1,500 spectators, could not adequately accommodate its 2,100 members and season-ticket holders, as well as other supporters and local residents.

The club said it had worked to stage the game at Santo Domingo, which it puts at a capacity of around 5,000, and that the necessary federation authorisations were in place. “We want to make clear that this decision is not based solely on economic reasons,” it added.

The RFEF email cited by the club also set out safety and television-production requirements: spectators cannot stand, every attendee must have an assigned seat, and some seats must be blocked off for camera equipment. If the original ground cannot meet those minimum requirements, an alternative venue must be found. Navalcarnero will therefore play the tie in Alcorcón.