Which La Liga club is based in Vallecas, a district of Madrid?

Rayo Vallecano is the La Liga club based in Vallecas, a district of Madrid.

Founded on 29 May 1924, Rayo Vallecano represents Vallecas, a historically working-class area in southeastern Madrid. The club’s home matches are played at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas, where the team has played since 1976. Its red sash across a white shirt is one of Spanish football’s most recognizable designs.

Vallecas was once a separate municipality, but it was annexed to Madrid in 1950. Today, the area is broadly associated with the city’s Puente de Vallecas and Villa de Vallecas districts. That local history helps explain why Rayo’s identity is unusually tied to a particular neighbourhood rather than simply to Madrid as a whole.

Rayo is often confused with Getafe, Leganés or Atlético Madrid because all are connected with the Madrid region. However, Rayo is the club specifically associated with Vallecas. It has also competed in European football, including the UEFA Cup in 2000–01.