La Liga officials are preparing to conduct a thorough inspection of the pitch at Estadio de Balaidos, home to Celta Vigo, following reports of a suspected fungus outbreak. Celta Vigo is scheduled to host Osasuna on Sunday night in their opening match of the 2026-27 season, commencing at 20:30 BST. The investigation follows reports from Spain of the fungal infection affecting the pitch surface, prompting the league to visit the stadium within the next 24 hours to determine if the match can proceed as planned.
Sources within La Liga have indicated that the pitch has been impacted by a fungus, resulting in significant damage to the playing surface. Celta Vigo has reportedly requested a postponement of the match, a request that has been met with openness from Osasuna, who are reportedly willing to play the fixture as scheduled. The stadium, a 24,870-capacity facility, has been undergoing extensive renovation for over a decade, with plans to expand it to accommodate up to 40,000 and 44,000 spectators, including potential hosting for the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Morocco.
The stadium’s renovation project, initiated in 2013, has progressed significantly, with the current plan to increase capacity to 40,000 to 44,000, representing a substantial investment in stadium infrastructure. The original capacity of the stadium was 11, and it’s planned to be among the 11 Spanish stadiums used to co-host the 2030 World Cup.
Prior to the current situation, La Liga’s national team played a friendly against Iraq at the Esadio de Balaidos in June. The stadium’s condition has been a persistent concern for La Liga, with the investment in upgrades underway to enhance the stadium’s functionality. The stadium’s renovation has been a lengthy process, initially starting in 2013, and has been continuously expanded to accommodate a larger audience.
La Liga’s decision-making process has been influenced by the fact that several matches scheduled for the opening weekend – Valencia v Real Betis, Real Madrid v Real Sociedad, and Barcelona v Athletic Club – have been rescheduled due to players involved in the final stages of the World Cup. The league is currently analyzing the impact of these rescheduling decisions, with a focus on ensuring the integrity of the competition.
Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast for further insights on this developing situation and its potential implications for La Liga’s 2026 season.
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Source: BBC Football
