El Madrigal was first extended during the summer of 1952, taking advantage of the end of the league season. The development allowed the pitch to match the same dimensions as the Stadium of Helsinki, which during 1952 had held the Olympic Games and had become the benchmark for football clubs around the world. As a result the playing surface increased from 95 x 50m to 104 x 65m.

During the 1960’s Villarreal C.F. built its first covered stand, whilst between the 1971 – 1972 season the foundations for the current south stand were constructed.
In 1988, the stand area was demolished in order to build another staircase, which was opened on 8th March 1989, with a friendly against Atlético Madrid.

On the 75th anniversary of the club El Madrigal underwent a major reconstruction. The south stand was demolished on 22nd May 1998, to be replaced by a larger covered stand. Amphitheatre steps were installed and the Preference area/East stand and the North stand were constructed. The reconstruction was successfully completed before the 1999 - 2000 season.

"Let there be light"

El Madrigal saw its first floodlights in 1973. The local council awarded a grant to install four metallic towers with nine halogen lamps each. The floodlights were switched on 16th September 1973, with a 3rd division match between Villarreal and Sociedad Deportiva Ibiza. Maybe the Villarreal players were not use to the floodlights as they unfortunately lost 0-1.

Dressing-rooms location

It is not surprising that due to the numerous periods of reconstruction the dressing-rooms have occupied several different locations since the stadium was built. For the first twelve years, and up until the 1935 - 1936 season, they were located in the South-East area of the stadium. From that date, and until the 1960’s, they occupied the North-East area of El Madrigal. With the inauguration of the new West stand in 1989 they moved to the South-West vicinity where they remain today.
 


The ‘casals grocs’ (Personal boxes)

 El Madrigal has relaxing and comfortable places for those supporters who prefer a unique and exceptional match day experience. Villarreal C.F. can provide an outstanding and special provision for such supporters. The club has thirty ‘Casals Grocs’/ Personal boxes located high on the West stand.They provide air conditioning, TV with live transmission of the match, an excellent catering service, individual seating with independent access from the South stand corner, three high speed lifts and appropriate parking spaces. Not to forget a wonderful view of the pitch!
Of the thirty boxes, two have a capacity for 12 people, another 23 boxes allow 16 people and the remaining five have 20 seats per box.