Elche ban sunflower seeds at stadium to tackle hygiene and maintenance issues

Updated: 02 May, 2025 • 0 • min read

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Elche ban sunflower seeds at stadium to tackle hygiene and maintenance issues

In a bold move to improve hygiene and reduce maintenance costs, Spanish club Elche have officially banned the sale and consumption of sunflower seeds, commonly known as pipas, at the Estadio Martínez Valero.

The popular matchday snack, a staple in Spanish stadium culture, has long been associated with large amounts of litter as fans crack open the shells with their teeth and spit them out during games.

But the aftermath has created what Elche described as a growing "structural problem."

Shells Clog Drains and Attract Pests

In a statement released by the club, Elche cited several reasons behind the ban.

The shells clog drains and pipes, they deteriorate the seats and affect the paint and finishes of multiple surfaces.

They significantly increase cleaning and maintenance costs, they attract infestations of rats and pigeons, and, above all, they put the healthiness of the stands at risk.

Despite the constant efforts of the club's cleaning teams, it is unfeasible to completely remove the waste after every match.

The club's 31,000-seat stadium, one of the largest in the Segunda División, has struggled to manage the waste, with shells accumulating in hard-to-clean areas and accelerating the erosion of concrete flooring.

Despite regular clean-up efforts, the club admitted it is no longer feasible to completely remove the waste between fixtures, leading to the permanent ban on pipas inside the venue.

Not the First Club to Act

Elche are not alone in tackling the pipas problem, with Valencia implementing a similar policy at their Mestalla Stadium in 2023, asking fans to dispose of shells in bags and halting in-stadium sales.

Los Franjiverdes, though, have taken it one step further by completely banning both sale and consumption, marking a cultural shift in Spanish football traditions.

A Move Towards Cleaner, Safer Stands

Elche emphasised that the ban is not aimed at punishing fans, but rather protecting shared spaces.