<\/p>\n

Key facts<\/h3>\n

Club: Real Sporting de Gij\u00f3n | Opening: 1908 | Capacity: 30,000 seats<\/p>\n

History and description<\/h3>\n

The first reference to Estadio El Molin\u00f3n was made in May 1908, though it is likely that football had been played at the site before. The reference by newspaper El Comercio reported on a match played at the ground between La Bella Sportiva and El Bal\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Real Sporting moved into El Molin\u00f3n in 1916, and one year later the stadium received its first redevelopment when a new grand stand was built. In 1926, the stadium could hold about 6,000 spectators.<\/p>\n

In 1931, a fire broke out that destroyed the grand stand. It brought the club in serious financial troubles, and it took until 1942 for the stand to be rebuilt.<\/p>\n

In 1969, Estadio El Molin\u00f3n became the first stadium in Spain to have full cover, and one year later a new main stand opened.<\/p>\n

The stadium underwent a major redevelopment before the 1982 World Cup, raising capacity to 45,000, of which 16,600 seats. During the World Cup, El Molin\u00f3n hosted three group matches, all involving West Germany.<\/p>\n

The stadium got converted into an all-seater in 1997, reducing capacity to just under 26,000\u00a0seats.<\/p>\n

A decade later, El Molin\u00f3n got again renovated, which involved the construction of a new north stand, the refurbishment of the other stands and the interior of the stadium, and a new exterior. It also slightly increasing capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n \t\t\n\t\t\t\t

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(photos of the present Estadio El Molin\u00f3n below)<\/p>\n

How to get to El Molinon<\/h3>\n

Estadio El Molinon is located about 2 kilometres east of Gij\u00f3n\u2019s historic city centre, and about 3.5 kilometres from the city’s main train station.<\/p>\n

The stadium lies only 500 metres away from Gij\u00f3n most popular beach, San Lorenzo beach, with only the city\u2019s main park, Parque Isabel La Cat\u00f3lica, separating the two.<\/p>\n

From the historic city centre one can take bus<\/a> 1 or 10 to the stadium. From stop FEVE or Gota de Leche (in the centre) one can take bus 1 in the direction of Hospital de Cabue\u00f1es. Get off at stop Las Mestes. The journey takes about 11 minutes.<\/p>\n

From Plaza de Carmen take bus 10 to Pumar\u00edn-Candenal. Again get off at stop Las Mestes. The journey takes about 20 minutes.<\/p>\n

From the main train station one can either walk 10 minutes to stop Gota de Leche, or take bus 18 to Hospital de Cabue\u00f1es and get off at stop Plaza de Toros. From there it is a 10-minute walk to the stadium.<\/p>\n

All buses go at least every 20 minutes.<\/p>\n

Address: Paseo Isabel La Cat\u00f3lica s\/n, 33203 Gij\u00f3n<\/p>\n