Although its fortunes in recent years have been less successful than close rivals RCF Barcelona, the Espanyol team is well supported and an equally important part of the city’s history.

One of the oldest clubs in La Liga and the first to be formed by a Spaniard rather than foreigner, Espanyol was originally founded in 1900 and then given ´royal´ status by King Alfonso XIII in 1912. The players have worn blue and white shirts since 1910 in homage to the shield of the great Catalan admiral Roger de Lluria. Espanyol´s current home is the Olympic Stadium at the top of Montjuic until the club’s new home stadium is completed in Cornellà.

Visits to see the Olympic Stadium are free. Metro: Plaça Espanya, then walking up Montjuic