<\/p>\n

Key facts<\/h3>\n

Club: H\u00e9rcules de Alicante CF | Opening: 1974 | Capacity: 29,500 seats<\/p>\n

History and description<\/h3>\n

Estadio Jos\u00e9 Rico P\u00e9rez replaced H\u00e9rcules’ old Campo de la Vi\u00f1a. It was a project of ambitious club president Jos\u00e9 Rico P\u00e9rez, who decided that the club needed to built a new stadium to match its rising successes. Due to financial difficulties, it however took until May 1973 for building works to start.<\/p>\n

Estadio Jose Rico Perez officially opened on 4 August 1974 with a friendly between Hercules and Barcelona (0-4). The stadium had a capacity of about 30,000 at that time.<\/p>\n

A few years later, Estadio Jose Rico Perez got selected to be a playing venue of the 1982 World Cup. As a result, the stadium got further expanded with an additional 8,000 places.<\/p>\n

During the World Cup, it hosted two group matches and the match for third place between Poland and France (3-2).<\/p>\n

Due to the declining fortunes of the club in the 1980s and resulting increase in debt, Hercules was forced to sell the stadium to the city of Alicante in 1993. Only in 2007 was the club able to buy the stadium back.<\/p>\n

Estadio Jose Rico Perez received a last major refurbishment after the promotion of Hercules to La Liga in 2010.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

How to get to Estadio Jose Rico Perez<\/h3>\n

Estadio Jos\u00e9 Rico P\u00e9rez is located about 1.5 kilometres north of the city centre of Alicante, just behind the Castle of San Fernando.<\/p>\n

The walk from the main rail station, which lies in the western part of the centre, takes about 20 minutes. The walk from the historic centre and beach front 10 to 15 minutes longer.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, one can catch bus<\/a> 8a or 11 to reach the stadium. Take line 8a from the Rambla in the direction of Parque Lo Morant. Get off at Av. Alcoi 50, from where it is a short walk slightly uphill to the stadium.<\/p>\n

Alternatively you can take bus 11 from Plaza de los Luceros. Take the bus in the direction of Cl\u00ednica Vistahermosa and get off at Av. Alcoi 52. Both buses run about once every hour.<\/p>\n

On matchdays there is a special football service (line 192) to the stadium. Buses pass the railway station on Av. Maisonnave, continue on Av. Federico Soto, and go via Carrer de San Vicente to the stadium. Buses leave 70 and 30 minutes before kickoff from their starting point further west in the city.<\/p>\n

Address: Foguerer Romeu Zarandieta s\/n, 03005 Alicante<\/p>\n