Estadi Mallorca Son Moix

The history of the stadium begins in the late 1990s, when RCD Mallorca decided to replace the ageing Luis Sitjar with a modern purpose-built arena meeting the standards of top-flight La Liga football.

Construction and opening

Designed by Spanish architect Antonio Lamela, the ground opened in 1999. Construction was deliberately scaled and accelerated to align with Palma's hosting of the 1999 Summer Universiade — the stadium was expanded to meet the requirements of the international multi-sport event. The original name was simply Son Moix, after the neighbourhood where it sits.

Major renovations

Since opening, the stadium has undergone ongoing maintenance and minor upgrades, but no wholesale reconstruction comparable to other Spanish top-flight grounds. Its identity has shifted primarily through a succession of naming rights agreements: from 2006 to 2010 it was Ono Estadi (after telecoms company Ono), from 2010 to 2017 it became Iberostar Estadi (hotel chain), then reverted to plain Son Moix between 2017 and 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the stadium was renamed Visit Mallorca Estadi as part of a tourism-promotion partnership with the Consell de Mallorca. Since 2022 it has been known as Mallorca Son Moix.

Notable moments

In the year of its opening, the stadium immediately made history by hosting athletics and football at the 1999 Summer Universiade. That same year, RCD Mallorca reached the 1999 UEFA Cup Final, losing 2-1 to Lazio Roma in one of the club's greatest European achievements. The stadium has since been the setting for La Liga encounters against Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, as well as the club's periodic campaigns in European competition.

The atmosphere at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix carries the character of a Mediterranean island city, where football passion blends with a relaxed coastal energy. RCD Mallorca supporters are fewer in number than those of Spain's major clubs, but fill the stadium with noisy commitment for key La Liga fixtures.

Fan culture

RCD Mallorca — nicknamed Los Bermellones (The Carmines) after the club's vivid red kit — draws its core support from the island's local population. Supporters take pride in a club whose historical achievements in La Liga and European competition far exceeded what might be expected from a city of Palma's size. Matches against Valencia, Sevilla or the Catalan clubs also attract visiting supporters who combine football with a holiday, giving the stadium a uniquely cosmopolitan matchday crowd compared with most Spanish provincial grounds.

Big matches

The most celebrated chapter in the club's history coincided with the stadium's opening: RCD Mallorca's run to the 1999 UEFA Cup Final, where they faced Lazio Roma. Though the club lost, the occasion crystallised the island's footballing ambition and brought European-level nights to the newly completed arena. La Liga fixtures against Real Madrid and FC Barcelona reliably sell out the ground and draw substantial media attention, serving as reference points for the club's status in the Spanish top flight.

Getting to the stadium in Palma de Mallorca is straightforward, particularly for visitors combining football with a holiday on the island.

How to get there

• Bus: Palma's EMT urban bus network serves the Son Moix district; the journey from the city centre takes approximately 15-20 minutes
• Car: From central Palma via the Ma-20 ring road (Vía de Cintura); parking is available around the stadium, though arriving early on matchdays is advisable
• Taxi / rideshare: Around 10-15 minutes from Palma city centre; Palma Airport (Son Sant Joan) is approximately 20 minutes by taxi

Tickets and tours

Match tickets for RCD Mallorca are sold through the official club website and at the stadium box office. High-profile La Liga fixtures sell out quickly — online purchase in advance is strongly recommended. The club periodically offers behind-the-scenes stadium tours; current details are available on the club's official website.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: At least 45-60 minutes before kick-off
• Holiday planning: Palma is a popular tourist destination — secure tickets before travelling to avoid disappointment
• Weather: The stadium has partial roof coverage — bring sun cream for spring and summer evening fixtures
• Food: Restaurants and cafes are available near the stadium; traditional Mallorcan cuisine is best sampled in Palma's city centre before or after the match