Valencia Basketball and Roig Arena Guide 2026: The Honest Visitor's Manual
Roig Arena opened on 6 September 2025 — a 15,600-seat basketball venue (rising to 20,000 for 360° concerts) built for €400 million by Mercadona founder Juan Roig and now home to Valencia Basket, one of Spain's most decorated basketball clubs. The 2026 Copa del Rey was held here in February, EuroLeague nights are the main draw, and tourist-accessible tickets start around €25. The honest guide to a basketball night in Valencia in 2026.
Basketball weekend trips
Big EuroLeague nights — Real Madrid, Barcelona, Olympiakos, Panathinaikos — draw international fans across Europe. Saturday-evening matches require Saturday-morning arrivals, which commercial schedules from London, Geneva or Milan rarely accommodate well. Valencia Airport (VLC) handles light and mid-size jets directly with FBO transfer to the arena in 15 minutes. JetLuxe quotes the common European city pairs in 90 seconds.
Search Charter Flights →Roig Arena — the new home
Roig Arena is one of the most ambitious sports infrastructure projects completed in Spain in the 2020s. The €400 million venue, located on Avenida Hermanos Maristas 16 in the southern part of Valencia city, opened to the public on 6 September 2025 after five years of construction. The arena was financed entirely by Juan Roig — the founder and majority shareholder of supermarket chain Mercadona, and the owner of Valencia Basket Club since 2002. Juan Roig's daughter Amparo Roig is a partner at ERRE architecture studio, which collaborated with HOK on the building's design.
The building itself
The arena has three different capacity configurations depending on the event format:
- Basketball — 15,600 seated spectators in the standard basketball setup.
- 180° concerts — 18,600 spectators with the stage at one end.
- 360° concerts — 20,000 spectators with the stage in the centre.
The arena's structural design combines steel framing with prefabricated concrete elements, with the venue's bowl shape allowing flexible reconfiguration between event types. Around 1,300 parking spaces are integrated into the venue, with additional parking available at nearby City of Arts and Sciences car parks.
What it replaced
Roig Arena replaces La Fonteta (officially Pavelló Municipal Font de Sant Lluís) as Valencia Basket's main home. La Fonteta had served the club since 1983 and hosted the team's first Spanish league title in 2016-17, but with a capacity of just 8,400 it had become inadequate for EuroLeague-era basketball demands. La Fonteta will continue to host certain Valencia Basket B-team games, women's team fixtures (some), and smaller events; it is not being demolished.
Beyond basketball
Roig Arena was designed as a multi-purpose entertainment venue, not just a basketball court. The 2025-2026 season included:
- Major international concerts — typically 20-30 per year by international touring acts.
- Major sporting events — including the 2026 Copa del Rey de Baloncesto (Feb 19-22) and various other tournaments.
- Corporate events and conferences — making use of the configurable space.
- Family entertainment — circus events, ice shows, and similar productions.
Valencia Basket — the Taronja
Valencia Basket Club ('Taronja' or 'Taronges' — the Oranges, after Valencia's signature fruit) was founded on 15 July 1986. The club has evolved through several sponsorship names over the years: Valencia-Hoja del Lunes (1986-87), Pamesa Valencia (1987-2009, the era of the club's first European trophies), Power Electronics Valencia (2009-2011), and Valencia Basket Club (2012-present).
The men's team
The men's team plays in the Liga Endesa (Spanish top flight) and EuroLeague (top European competition). Major titles:
- 4 EuroCup championships — the most successful club ever in this competition (the second-tier European tournament).
- 1 Liga ACB title — 2016-17 season.
- 1 Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey).
- 2 Spanish Supercup titles.
The team is coached in 2026 by Pedro Martínez, and the club president is Vicent J. Solà. The team's traditional colours are orange and black; retired numbers include 9, 11, 15 and 17 honouring legendary club players.
The women's team
Founded in 2014, Valencia Basket's women's team has become one of the most successful in Spanish women's basketball. The team has won the Spanish Women's League three consecutive times (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25), making Valencia the only Spanish club to have won the top basketball category in Spain in both men's and women's sections. The women's team plays in the Liga Femenina Endesa and the EuroLeague Women, with most home games at Roig Arena alongside the men's fixtures. Head coach in 2026: Rubén Burgos.
Tickets — prices and where to buy
Ticket pricing varies significantly by opposition, match importance, and seat location.
ACB (Spanish league) regular season matches
- Upper tier (Tribuna Alta) — €15-€50.
- Lower tier (Tribuna Baja) — €40-€120.
- Premium areas (Pista) — €120-€250.
- Courtside — €250-€500+.
EuroLeague matches
- Upper tier — €25-€80.
- Lower tier — €60-€180.
- Premium areas — €180-€350.
- Courtside — €350-€700+.
Premium matches (Real Madrid, Barcelona, EuroLeague playoff)
The most-demanded matches — particularly Real Madrid and Barcelona visits — see significantly higher prices and tighter availability. Expect ticket prices 40-80% above the standard EuroLeague match, with some sections sold out 2-3 weeks ahead.
Buying tickets
Three main routes:
- Through valenciabasket.com — the club's official ticket platform. Account registration required, accepts most international cards.
- Through roigarena.com — the arena's website, primarily for non-basketball events but also handles basketball tickets.
- Resale platforms — Viagogo, Stubhub and similar offer resale tickets but typically at 30-100% above face value. Use with caution and verify authenticity.
The match calendar in 2026
Valencia Basket plays in two main competitions during the regular season:
Liga ACB (Spanish League)
Regular season runs September to May, with around 34 regular-season games (17 home, 17 away). Home matches at Roig Arena typically on weekends — Saturday evenings 19:30-21:00 or Sunday afternoons 17:00-18:30. Around 4-6 home matches per month during the season.
EuroLeague
Regular season runs October to April, with 34 games per team (17 home, 17 away). Home matches at Roig Arena typically on Tuesday or Thursday evenings 20:30-21:00. Around 2-3 EuroLeague home matches per month. Playoff matches in April-May for qualifying teams.
Cup competitions
The Copa del Rey (Spanish basketball cup) is typically held in mid-February at a single host city. The 2026 Copa del Rey was held at Roig Arena from 19-22 February 2026, with Baskonia winning their 7th title by defeating Real Madrid in the final. The 2027 Copa del Rey location will be determined by ACB; Valencia's bidding chances are stronger after the successful 2026 hosting.
Concerts and other events
Beyond basketball, Roig Arena hosts major concerts and entertainment events. The 2025-2026 launch season included tours by international artists, the 2026 Copa del Rey, and various other large-format events. The arena's calendar is published at roigarena.com.
EuroLeague Final Four and major tournament travel
EuroLeague Final Four weekends — and other major basketball tournaments — bring international fan travel that exceeds normal commercial flight capacity. For groups travelling specifically for a basketball event, the commercial pricing on Friday-Sunday returns into Valencia regularly exceeds €450-€700 per person from major European cities. Valencia Airport (VLC) handles light and mid-size jets directly with FBO transfer to the arena in 15 minutes. JetLuxe quotes the common European city pairs in 90 seconds — useful when the event timing constrains commercial flight pricing significantly.
Search Charter Flights →Getting to the arena
By metro
Metro line 10 (the newer line opened May 2022) stops at Ciutat Arts i Ciències station, approximately 600 metres walk from Roig Arena. Journey time from central Valencia stations: 8-12 minutes. Tickets €1.50 single or included on day passes and the Valencia Tourist Card. Line 10 is the easiest public transport option for arena visits.
By bus
EMT bus lines 6, 13, 18 and 99 all serve the arena area. Single ticket €1.50. The bus is slightly less direct than the metro but useful for visitors from neighbourhoods not on line 10.
By taxi or rideshare
Taxi from central Valencia: €8-€12, 8-12 minutes journey. Cabify and Uber both operate in Valencia at similar pricing. Most useful for late-night returns after evening matches when the metro frequency drops.
By car
Around 1,300 parking spaces on site at Roig Arena. Cost: typically €5-€10 per match for the integrated parking. Additional parking available at the City of Arts and Sciences car parks (€8-€15) within walking distance. The arena is reachable directly from the V-21 ring road and most central Valencia approaches.
On foot
From central Valencia stations (Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Xàtiva): approximately 3.5-4 km, 40-50 minutes walk. Not the standard approach but workable for visitors based in Russafa or south-eastern Eixample, particularly via the Turia Gardens route.
Inside the arena — what to expect
Facilities
Roig Arena has been built to international standards, with facilities including:
- Multiple food and drink outlets — Mercadona-branded concessions across the concourses (one of the small ways the venue's ownership shows in operations).
- VIP and corporate hospitality — multiple lounges and corporate boxes available for premium ticketing.
- The Valencia Basket museum — accessible during arena tours and on match days, telling the history of the club from 1986 to present.
- Accessibility — full step-free access throughout, dedicated wheelchair sections in multiple tiers.
- Family facilities — baby-changing facilities, family seating areas, kids' activities at family-friendly matches.
Atmosphere
The new arena has been deliberately designed to retain the 'taronja' (orange) atmosphere of La Fonteta despite the larger capacity. The supporters' sections are concentrated in specific tiers; the rest of the arena is mixed. Major EuroLeague matches against rivals (Real Madrid, Barcelona) generate genuine atmosphere; smaller ACB matches against lower opposition can feel quieter, with around 60-80% capacity attendance.
Pre-match and post-match
The arena typically opens 90 minutes before tip-off. Pre-match activities include team warm-ups (visible from inside the arena), the standard team announcement ceremony, and various promotional activities. Post-match, the players often acknowledge the home crowd; the post-game press conferences happen in dedicated facilities. Most spectators clear the arena within 30 minutes of the final whistle.
Planning a basketball night
Three working patterns for a basketball-focused Valencia visit:
The single-match weekend
Friday arrival, Saturday afternoon city sightseeing, Saturday evening match, Sunday recovery and departure. The standard format for visitors flying in specifically for a match. Total cost: €25-€180 per ticket plus accommodation and travel.
The double-header weekend
Some weekends feature both a women's match and a men's match — typically Saturday evening women's, Sunday afternoon men's, or vice versa. Suited to dedicated fans wanting maximum basketball content. Check the calendar at valenciabasket.com for double-header opportunities.
The EuroLeague Tuesday-Thursday trip
For visitors who can travel midweek, EuroLeague nights (typically Tuesday or Thursday) offer the best basketball — top European clubs visiting — with slightly easier ticket availability than weekend matches. The mid-week pattern: arrive Monday evening, Tuesday city day, Tuesday or Thursday evening match, recovery day, departure Friday morning.
What to skip
Five common Roig Arena visitor mistakes worth knowing about:
- Buying from resale platforms at 80%+ markup. Most matches have official availability close to the date. Check valenciabasket.com first.
- Arriving for an ACB regular-season match expecting EuroLeague-Final-Four atmosphere. Regular ACB matches against lower opposition are quieter and shorter-feeling than EuroLeague matches.
- Trying to walk back to the historic centre after a late EuroLeague match. 40+ minutes is too long for a 22:30 walk in winter; take a taxi or metro.
- Skipping the Roig Arena tour because you have match tickets. The tour gives behind-the-scenes access (locker rooms, the basketball museum) that match attendance does not.
- Underestimating parking demand for premium matches. The integrated parking sells out 1-2 weeks ahead for Real Madrid and Barcelona matches; book ahead or plan public transport.
The wider context of sports tourism in Valencia sits alongside the Mestalla football guide (for the city's other major sport) and the 3-day Valencia itinerary (for slotting a basketball match into a standard trip). For visitors building a full sports-focused trip, the luxury stays guide covers the hotels close to the arena.
Roig Arena and Valencia Basket in 2026 represent one of the strongest single-investment basketball stories in European sport — a billionaire-funded €400 million arena, a club with genuine European pedigree, the right city for the experience. For visitors with an interest in basketball, EuroLeague nights at Roig Arena are one of the most rewarding sports experiences in Spain.
Common questions
Roig Arena is at Avenida Hermanos Maristas 16, in the southern part of Valencia city, close to the City of Arts and Sciences. The arena opened on 6 September 2025 after a five-year construction period (2020-2025) costing €400 million, funded primarily by Juan Roig (the Mercadona founder and Valencia Basket owner). It replaces La Fonteta (Pavelló Municipal Font de Sant Lluís) as the main home of Valencia Basket Club. The arena is reachable by metro line 10 (Ciutat Arts i Ciències station) or buses 6, 13, 18 and 99. There are around 1,300 parking spaces on site for visitors arriving by car.
Roig Arena has three different capacity configurations depending on the event. For basketball games (Valencia Basket Endesa League and EuroLeague matches): 15,600 seated spectators. For 180° concerts (with the stage at one end): 18,600 spectators. For 360° concerts (with the stage in the centre): 20,000 spectators. The arena was designed by ERRE architects (with HOK) and constructed using a combination of steel structures and prefabricated concrete elements. Around 1,300 parking spaces are integrated into the venue.
Match ticket prices vary by opposition and match importance. Standard ACB (Spanish league) matches: €15-€50 per ticket for upper-tier seats, €40-€120 for lower-tier. EuroLeague matches: €25-€80 per ticket for upper-tier, €60-€180 for lower-tier. Premium matches (Real Madrid, Barcelona, EuroLeague playoff games): €40-€250 across all tiers. The very best courtside seats for major matches can run €300-€600+. Family-friendly Sunday matinee games often have discounted tickets. Buy through valenciabasket.com or roigarena.com directly, or via third-party platforms.
Valencia Basket Club is one of Spain's most successful basketball clubs, founded on 15 July 1986. Nickname: 'Taronja' or 'Taronges' (the Oranges, after Valencia's signature fruit). The club plays in the Liga ACB (Spanish top flight) and EuroLeague (the top European competition). Major titles: 4 EuroCup championships (the second-tier European competition, more than any other club), 1 Spanish League title (2016-17), 1 Spanish Cup. The women's team has won the Spanish Women's League in 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 (three consecutive titles). Owner: Juan Roig (the same person who built Roig Arena). Head coach in 2026: Pedro Martínez.
Yes — Roig Arena runs guided tours that include the basketball court area (when no events are scheduled), the team locker rooms, the Valencia Basket museum, and several behind-the-scenes areas. Tours run multiple times daily Monday-Friday and on Saturdays without events. Cost is around €15-€25 per person depending on the package. Bookable through the arena website. The tour takes 60-90 minutes and is available in Spanish and English. For visitors who can't get a match ticket, the tour is a strong alternative — particularly for visitors with children or specific architecture interest.
Yes — the 2026 Copa del Rey de Baloncesto (90th edition of the Spanish basketball cup) was held at Roig Arena from 19-22 February 2026. Eight teams competed including Valencia Basket, Real Madrid, Barcelona and the eventual winners Kosner Baskonia (their 7th Copa del Rey title). Total attendance was 101,399 across 7 matches (averaging 14,486 per match). The MVP was Trent Forrest of Baskonia. The event was the first major basketball tournament held at the new arena and demonstrated its capability to host top-tier international basketball events. Future Copa del Rey hosting is likely to rotate around Spanish cities but Valencia is now a major candidate venue.
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