Recently, I organized an amateur football league group here in Valencia and would like to share a few months of experience with everyone. It actually started with just a few friends wanting to play football on weekends, then gradually developed into a regular group with scheduled matches every week.
Venue and Schedule Arrangements
We mainly operate at the municipal sports field in the Benicalap district, which has several five-a-side and seven-a-side pitches. Weekend field rental costs approximately 40-60 euros per hour, while weekday evenings are somewhat cheaper. I recommend booking online in advance, especially for Saturday and Sunday morning slots which are particularly popular. Below is a comparison of our commonly used venues:
| Venue Name | Price | Field Type | Booking Difficulty |
|---|
| Benicalap Municipal Field | 50 | Seven-a-side | Medium |
| Campanar Sports Center | 45 | Five-a-side | Difficult |
| Patraix Community Field | 35 | Five-a-side | Easy |
Player Recruitment Experience
Recruiting members was indeed challenging at first, but later I posted in several local Facebook groups and on this forum, and people gradually joined. Now our group has about 25 regular members, ranging in age from their 20s to 40s. Important tip: I recommend setting up a small membership fee system. We charge 15 euros per person per month to cover field rental and purchase jerseys and equipment, which helps filter out those truly committed to long-term participation.
Before each match, I confirm attendance in our WhatsApp group, usually starting the count 3-4 days in advance. If we don’t have enough players for Valencia Chelsea, we call people from the substitute list. Sometimes we also invite other groups for friendly matches, which adds to the fun of the games.
Match Rules and Atmosphere
We adopt relatively relaxed amateur rules, with the main purpose being for everyone to enjoy the pleasure of football. Each match lasts 60 minutes with a 10-minute halftime break. There’s no professional referee; everyone negotiates calls together, and occasional disputes are resolved amicably. The most important thing is maintaining sportsmanship and mutual respect.
After matches, we usually go to a nearby bar for drinks and conversation. This part is actually more important than the match itself because it strengthens friendships among team members. Some players have even become work partners in the Valencia League or good friends in life.
If you’re also in Valencia and interested in football for the Valencia League Championship, feel free to leave a comment. Our group always welcomes new members, regardless of your skill level, as long as you love football and are willing to participate consistently. We have a match next Saturday at 10 AM, and interested friends are welcome to come observe first.
