(Above image by Artesia Wells on Shutterstock)

Groundhopper Guide to RCD Mallorca

In a set of islands probably known better for tourism and partying, the largest city of Palma hosts Real Club Deportivo (Royal Sporting Club) Mallorca, an American-owned club that has split most of its time between the top two divisions of Spanish football. With the Bermellones, as they are known, currently in La Liga, a game a Mallorca would be an excellent addition to a trip to these sunny Mediterranean isles.

Here is our groundhopper’s guide to the club, which will be updated as soon as we make it to a game there.

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About RCD Mallorca

Location: Palme de Mallorca, Spain; Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands off the east coast of the country.

Contacts: rcdmallorca.es/en, (0034) 971221221

Nicknames: Los Bermellones (The Vermilions)

Another sunny game at Mallorca (photo by Artesia Wells via Shutterstock)

History of RCD Mallorca

The club was originally founded in 1916 under the name of Alfonso XIII Foot-Ball Club. The club played a friendly against Barcelona to honor the opening of their first stadium, which ended in an 8-0 defeat. 

In 1917 the club was granted promotion to Spain’s second division after being crowned the unofficial champions of the Balearic Islands. They would win the second division during their first season. In 1931, the Second Spanish Republic was formed and prohibited any reference to the monarchy, forcing the club to change its name to Club Deportivo Mallorca.

After having regional success in the 1930s and 40s while the Civil War interrupted Spanish football, the club moved into a new stadium, Es Fortí (later renamed Lluís Sitjar), which had an increased capacity of 16,000 and would be their home for over 50 years. 

Mallorca started the 90s strong, reaching the final of the Copa del Rey for the first time in 1991 before falling 1-0 to Atletico Madrid. They again reached the final in 1998, but fell to Barcelona on penalties. They won their first major trophy when they defeated Barcelona later that year in the Supercopa de España. This success also allowed Mallorca to qualify for the final installment of the UEFA Winner’s Cup, where they lost in the final to Roman club Lazio at Villa Park in England.

Mallorca qualified for the Champions League the next year, but failed to advance. In 2003, they achieved their finest hour, winning the Copa Del Rey.

Mallorca was relegated from La Liga in 2013 and in 2016 they were in danger of another relegation, this time to the third division. At this time American investor (and Phoenix Suns owner) Robert Sarver and former NBA player Steve Nash stepped in and bought the club for just over €20 million, but they were unable to prevent relegation which meant it was Mallorca’s first time in the third division since 1981. 

Today Mallorca is owned by American former tennis player Andy Kohlberg along with Nash and Steve Kerr, coach of the Golden State Warriors.

In 2018 they managed to bounce back and gain promotion to the second division via the playoff and secured another promotion the very next year. They then became a yo-yo club, bouncing between the first and second division for several years.

2022-23 SEASON: 9th in La Liga, Copa del Rey round of 16

2023–24 SEASON: La Liga 

Estadio Son Moix (photo by Jose Montoro via Shutterstock.)

Mallorca Stadium

Mallorca have played their homes games at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix since 1999 and have a contract to play there until 2049. The stadium has a capacity of just over 23,000, which makes it the largest in the Balearic Islands.

Mallorca Rivalries

Mallorca’s main rival is CD Atlético Baleares, another club based in the Balearic Islands. They are the oldest clubs in the region, and were formed by very different parties. Mallorca was formed in honor of the Spanish monarchy, while CD Atlético Baleares was formed by workers from working sectors of the city. This history led to a bitter rivalry between the two clubs, but over the years this rivalry has lost much of its spark. The last time the two played was in 2018 in the third division of Spanish football, which is where CD Atlético Baleares remains, now two leagues below Mallorca.

Mallorca Songs

Here is their club anthem, or himno, along with some images from the club.

Mallorca Tickets

Groundhopper Guides is an official registered ticket agent for games at RCD Mallorca. Read more about our Mallorca tickets here, and fill out the form below for an official quote. Just remember to check your spam folder in case our response lands there!

Learn More About Our Mallorca Tickets Here