Buy Atletico Madrid vs RCD Espanyol tickets for the 2026/27 Season, with the match scheduled for Sunday 31 January 2027 and provisionally listed for 18:00 local time (17:00 UK time) at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. It is matchday 22 of La Liga, the third round of the season's second half. Atletico finished fourth in 2025/26 and are back in the Champions League, while Espanyol ended 11th in their second season since promotion. For buyers, it is a chance to see the Fondo Sur in full voice on a Sunday evening in Madrid at a price well below the ground's headline fixtures.
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Atletico have the better record here. They have won four of the seven La Liga meetings at the Metropolitano since the stadium opened in 2017. Espanyol have won once. Supporters who want to compare every home date this season can see seat options on our Atletico Madrid tickets listings.
LaLiga confirms exact kick-off times a few weeks before each round, so the slot could still move within the weekend. Whatever the final time, expect a large crowd and a loud home end from the first whistle.
The last meeting here was one of the livelier ones. Atletico won 4-2 on 21 February 2026, the highest-scoring league game between the clubs at the Metropolitano. Espanyol have scored in five of their seven visits, which gives the visitors some reason for belief.
The Riyadh Air Metropolitano holds just over 70,000 people. Atletico's season ticket base fills much of it every week. Recorded attendances for this fixture have run between roughly 50,000 and 58,000 since 2017, so the general sale matters more here than it does for the derby or the visit of Barcelona.
That makes this one of the more accessible Atletico home games of the season. It also means buyers get choice. Central seats, lower-tier views and hospitality that sell out months ahead for the bigger fixtures often remain available for a visit from Espanyol until the final fortnight.
The visitors bring a travelling following of their own. Espanyol are Barcelona's second club, based at Cornella-El Prat. Their supporters are used to living in the shadow of a larger neighbour. A trip to Madrid on a Sunday is one of the away days they circle each season.
The away allocation is sold through Espanyol to their members. Those seats rarely reach the open market. Everything else is split between Atletico season ticket holders, members' sales and a general sale.
Atletico's European schedule can also shape the week. The club are in the Champions League league phase this season, with home fixtures that include a visit from Manchester United; buyers interested in that side of the campaign can view Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United seats. A European fixture in the days around this date can bring squad rotation, but it has little effect on demand from supporters who want a Sunday evening in Madrid.
The first meeting of the season comes in Barcelona on 18 October 2026. Buyers who want both games can view RCD Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid seats at Cornella-El Prat.
Yes. Atletico sell home tickets in stages. Season ticket holders occupy a large share of the ground, including most of the Fondo Sur. Club members then receive priority access before any general sale opens.
For a fixture like this, a general sale usually does take place. The better central areas still go quickly. Overseas buyers can find the club's timed sales hard to follow from abroad.
A verified marketplace offers a simpler route. Seats on 1BoxOffice come from sellers who already hold tickets, including members and season ticket holders who cannot attend. You pick the exact area, see the full price before paying and avoid the pressure of a timed club sale. Every listing shows its section and ticket type, so you know exactly where you will be before you commit.
Season ticket holders who cannot make a particular match often release their seats through resale. Those listings tend to appear in the fortnight before the game, once holders know their plans. Availability can improve slightly as the date approaches even when the general sale has gone.
Overseas buyers benefit most from that certainty. Because LaLiga confirms kick-off times only a few weeks ahead, securing seats first and building travel around them removes most of the guesswork.
Five factors drive what seats cost for this match. Seat location comes first, with central seats on the main stand commanding a clear premium over the ends and upper corners. Demand follows; a visit from Espanyol draws steady interest but less than the fixtures against the league's leading clubs.
Fixture timing matters as well. A Sunday evening in late January suits weekend travellers who can fly home on Monday. Competition context adds pressure if Atletico are chasing a top-four place at the time. Hospitality tier sets the ceiling at the top end.
For perspective, prices here sit well below those for the Madrid derby against Real Madrid, which sets the upper limit of the Metropolitano market each season. Listings for this match currently start from around £43.
| Ticket Type | Resale Price Range | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper tier, ends and corners | £43 – £75 | Budget buyers and first-time visitors | Steep rake keeps the whole pitch in view |
| Upper tier, side stands | £60 – £100 | Couples and small groups | High full-length view under the roof |
| Lower tier, side stands | £90 – £150 | Buyers wanting to be close to the play | Near the halfway line; good atmosphere |
| Premium central seating | £140 – £220+ | Buyers wanting comfort and a prime view | Main stand near the business areas |
| Hospitality and VIP | £170 – £400+ | Corporate guests and special occasions | Lounge access, catering and prime seats |
Prices reflect typical resale ranges and may change as demand and availability shift closer to the match.
Resale prices in Spain remain moderate compared with England for fixtures of this kind. The sharpest rises usually come once LaLiga confirms the kick-off slot and weekend travellers commit to their plans.
Upper-tier seats hold their value best, since they are the areas local supporters prefer for price. Central lower-tier seats move more with overall demand. Buyers who want a premium view should aim to secure them early rather than wait for a late drop.
The ground began life as the La Peineta athletics stadium and reopened as Atletico's home in September 2017 after a full rebuild. It is an enclosed two-tier bowl with steep stands and an undulating roof that covers most of the seating. The Fondo Sur behind the south goal is the home end, carrying on the culture of the old Vicente Calderon.
The main stand holds the premium seating, the hospitality areas and the tunnel. The stand opposite gives a full-length view at lower prices. Our Riyadh Air Metropolitano seating plan shows how the sections fit together.
| Area | What It Suits | Pricing Bracket | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main stand, central lower tier | Buyers wanting the classic television angle | Mid to premium | Close to the business areas; the pick for a tactical view |
| Opposite side stand | Balanced views at slightly lower prices | Mid | Full-length perspective with the Fondo Sur to one side |
| Fondo Sur | Supporters wanting the full atmosphere | Lower to mid | The home end; expect to stand, sing and wear red and white |
| Fondo Norte | Budget buyers happy behind the goal | Lower | Calmer mood with a view of the Fondo Sur choreography |
| Upper tier, all sides | Buyers wanting a complete view of the pitch | Lower to mid | High and steep, but close by the standards of a 70,000-seat ground |
| Away section, upper tier | Espanyol supporters only | Sold through Espanyol | High in the stand and set apart from home fans; blue and white belong here and nowhere else |
Neutral buyers and anyone still undecided should choose the side stands and avoid Espanyol colours outside the away section. For transport, bag rules and the wider matchday picture, see our Riyadh Air Metropolitano tickets guide. Groups who want noise without the full intensity of the Fondo Sur usually settle on the side sections nearest to it.
The steep bowl keeps even the upper tier close to the play. If you are choosing between a lower-tier seat behind the goal and an upper-tier seat on the halfway line, the upper side stand usually gives the better read of the game.
Row choice matters on the lower tier. The front rows put you level with the players but can make it harder to follow shape and movement. Seats in the middle and back rows of the lower tier give a clearer picture of the whole pitch while keeping you close to the noise.
Families tend to prefer the side stands, where the mood is lively without the constant standing of the Fondo Sur. The roof covers most seats, but the front rows are more exposed. Madrid can be cold on a January evening, so bring a warm layer.
Atletico offer business seats, lounges and private boxes in the main stand, with catering and lounge access included in the top packages. For the bigger fixtures these sell out early. For a visit from Espanyol there is usually more choice, even close to the date.
| Hospitality Option | Typical Buyer | Main Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Business seat | Couples and solo travellers marking a special trip | Padded central seat with lounge access and catering |
| Lounge package | Small corporate groups | Shared lounge, dining and prime seats |
| Private box | Larger corporate parties | Exclusive space, catering and a private view of the pitch |
| Premium seat without lounge | Buyers wanting the view without the dining | Central position at a lower price than full hospitality |
Hospitality suits buyers who want certainty and comfort on a winter evening. Most packages include indoor space before kick-off and at half-time. They also give one of the most balanced views in the stadium.
Always read the listing notes. Some resale hospitality listings cover the seat and lounge only, while others include dining, so compare like with like before choosing.
Because demand for this fixture is lower than for the derby, hospitality here is one of the better-value ways to try the premium side of the Metropolitano. Corporate groups often use fixtures like this one for that reason.
Tickets for the Metropolitano come in several formats. Atletico issue most tickets digitally. The delivery method for each listing is shown before you pay.
| Delivery Type | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Mobile ticket transfer | The name and email the tickets will be sent to, plus any club app you need to receive them |
| E-ticket (PDF or QR code) | That every guest has a separate ticket and that the file opens on your phone before matchday |
| Paper tickets by courier | A delivery address where someone can sign plus the expected dispatch date |
| Collection in Madrid | The collection point, the time window and the identification required |
Read the listing notes before buying so you know exactly how and when your tickets will arrive. Bring photo ID, since stewards can ask to see it against the ticket for some fixtures. If your entry is on a phone, charge it fully before you leave.
Metro line 7 stops at Estadio Metropolitano station, a short walk from the turnstiles. The station was built with an extra-long platform to handle matchday crowds. Las Rosas on line 2 and Canillejas on line 5 are useful alternatives.
Allow extra time at the gates. Bag searches slow the queues in the final half hour. Large bags and rucksacks are refused. Arriving an hour early also gives you time to watch the Fondo Sur fill before the teams come out.
Buying through 1BoxOffice, a verified marketplace trading since 2006 with a 150% money-back guarantee, takes a few minutes from start to finish.
Step1
Find the fixture
Open the match listing for Sunday 31 January 2027 and confirm the date suits your travel plans.
Step2
Set up your account
If you are new to the site, create an account so your order details and delivery updates are saved in one place.
Step3
Choose your area
Use the stadium map to compare tiers, stands and prices. Home supporters and neutrals should stay clear of the away section.
Step4
Pick the number of seats
Select how many tickets you need. Filter for listings that confirm seats together if you are travelling as a group.
Step5
Read the listing notes
Review the delivery method, the section and whether hospitality extras are included.
Step6
Enter guest details
Add the names of everyone attending exactly as they appear on their ID, since mobile transfers may need to match.
Step7
Pay securely
Confirm the total, including fees, then complete payment through the secure payment page.
Step8
Follow your order
Use track order to see when your tickets are dispatched and when they are ready for matchday.
A few habits separate buyers who find strong value from those who overpay in the final week.
Madrid is one of the easier La Liga trips for overseas buyers. Madrid-Barajas Airport sits in the east of the city, close to the stadium. It has direct flights from London and several other UK airports as well as from the main Gulf hubs. Metro line 8 links the airport to the city centre.
Kick-off at 18:00 local time means 17:00 in London and 21:00 in the UAE. A Saturday arrival and Monday departure gives time for the city without rushing.
Choose mobile or e-ticket listings if you are arriving close to the match. Request seats together at the point of purchase rather than hoping to swap on the day. LaLiga kick-off times are confirmed only a few weeks before each round, so a booking that allows you to shift a day either side is sensible.
Most visitors stay in the centre around Sol, the Plaza Mayor or La Latina, then take the Metro out to the ground. Our Madrid events listings show what else is on during your stay. A Sunday evening kick-off suits the Spanish habit of eating late, so there is time for tapas before and after the match.
Espanyol supporters without away tickets should sit in neutral areas and keep colours out of sight. Madrid in late January is dry but cold after dark, so pack a warm coat for the ride home.
Atletico moved into the Metropolitano in September 2017. Espanyol's first league visit came on 6 May 2018. They spoiled the occasion with a 2-0 win. It remains their only league victory at the ground.
Atletico then took control. They won 1-0 in December 2018, 3-1 in November 2019 and 2-1 in April 2022. Espanyol were relegated in 2020 and again in 2023, so the fixture has come and gone with their spells in the second tier.
The two most recent seasons in the top flight produced very different games. Espanyol held Atletico to a 0-0 draw in August 2024, weeks after their return through the play-offs. In February 2026 the sides shared six goals, with Atletico winning 4-2.
The ground itself has grown into its role quickly. It staged the 2019 Champions League final, when Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0 on 1 June 2019, less than two years after opening. Atletico won La Liga in 2020/21 during their time here, the club's second title of the Diego Simeone era after 2013/14 at the Vicente Calderon.
For Espanyol, the Metropolitano has become a measure of progress. Each visit since 2017 has come in a different phase of the club's recent history: a mid-table side in 2018, a team heading for relegation in 2019, a newly promoted squad in 2022 and 2024. The 2026/27 trip is the first in which they arrive after a full season of top-flight stability, having finished 11th in 2025/26.
Espanyol carry a history of their own into the fixture. They have won the Copa del Rey four times and reached two UEFA Cup finals, in 1988 and 2007. They remain one of Spain's longest-established clubs, founded in 1900.
What makes the fixture distinctive is the gap between the clubs and the way Espanyol have still found results here. A win, a draw and a two-goal performance in seven visits is more than most mid-table sides manage at the Metropolitano. That uncertainty keeps the seats selling.
The figures below cover all La Liga meetings at the Metropolitano with Atletico Madrid as hosts, from the stadium's first season in 2017/18 to the end of 2025/26.
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 7 |
| Atletico Madrid wins | 4 |
| RCD Espanyol wins | 1 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Atletico Madrid goals | 11 |
| RCD Espanyol goals | 7 |
| Biggest Atletico Madrid win | 3-1 and 4-2 |
| Biggest RCD Espanyol win | 0-2 |
| First La Liga meeting in scope | 6 May 2018 |
| Most recent meeting in scope | 21 February 2026 |
Figures calculated from the match-by-match results below, cross-referenced against LaLiga season results and independent results archives.
The numbers show a clear edge for Atletico without a one-sided record. No meeting here has been decided by more than two goals. Atletico have kept only two clean sheets in seven games.
There were no league meetings in 2020/21 or 2023/24, when Espanyol were in the Segunda Division.
Every La Liga meeting at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, newest first, with the home score shown first.
| Date | Score |
|---|---|
| 21 Feb 2026 | 4-2 |
| 28 Aug 2024 | 0-0 |
| 06 Nov 2022 | 1-1 |
| 17 Apr 2022 | 2-1 |
| 10 Nov 2019 | 3-1 |
| 22 Dec 2018 | 1-0 |
| 06 May 2018 | 0-2 |
Each result verified against at least two independent sources, including LaLiga season results and StatMuse.
No. Resale listings come from existing ticket holders, so no club membership is needed to buy.
Visiting supporters are placed high in the upper tier, separated from home fans, with the exact section set for each fixture.
Estadio Metropolitano on line 7 is right by the ground, with Las Rosas on line 2 as a nearby alternative.
Yes. The stadium has carried the Wanda, Civitas and Riyadh Air names since opening in 2017.
Yes. Choose listings marked as seats together and select your full group size in one order rather than buying in separate batches.
Sources: Atletico Madrid official club calendar (2026/27 fixtures), LaLiga season results, StatMuse (match results), Atletico Madrid official club information (tickets, hospitality and matchday rules), Metro de Madrid (station information).