Racing de Santander

Real Racing Club de Santander has called the coastal city of Santander home since its founding on February 23, 1913. The club holds a special place in Spanish football history as one of the ten original members that launched La Liga in 1929. This early start established the team as a foundational pillar of the professional game, even though they have spent much of their existence navigating between the top flight and the second division.

The team plays its matches at Estadio El Sardinero, a venue that opened in its current form in 1988 after replacing the old stadium built in 1913. With a capacity of roughly 22,222 spectators, the ground offers scenic views overlooking the Bay of Biscay. Fans, known as Racistas, bring intense passion to these matches, creating an atmosphere that reflects the deep identity of Cantabria. [edit]

Racing de Santander secured the Copa del Rey twice before the modern league structure took shape, winning the trophy in 1908 and again in 1913. They added the Copa Eva Duarte to their collection in 1950. While the club never claimed a La Liga title, their highest domestic finish came during the 1950–51 season when they finished as runners-up in the First Division. This remains the best league performance in the club's history.

The team frequently oscillates between divisions, earning a reputation as a "yo-yo" club. They have won the Segunda División multiple times to secure promotions to the top flight, including successful campaigns in 1948–49, 1970–71, 1990–91, 2008–09, and 2021–22. Their youth academy, known as the Racing Cantera, continues to develop talent for both domestic and international stages.

In recent years, the club made headlines by selling teenage midfielder Sergio Martínez to Real Madrid in late August 2026. Pablo García arrived from Real Betis in an emotional move where the club funded part of his exit fee through other transfers. Racing also bolstered their defense by loaning Jeanuël Belocian from Bayer Leverkusen around September 1, 2026. [edit]