When most people think of Ibiza, images of sunny beaches, world-famous DJs, and endless nightlife immediately come to mind. The island has earned its reputation as one of the globe’s top party destinations. Yet, hidden behind the clubs and vibrant nightlife is a rich and enduring history of football.
Football in Ibiza might not make the same headlines as its legendary nightlife, but for those who love the game, it’s just as exciting as a trip to Ocean Beach Club – especially when following matches with odds updated in real time. From small local clubs to the rapid rise of UD Ibiza, football has become an integral part of everyday life on the island.
Ibiza’s early football history
The first organised football team on the island of Ibiza was Sociedad Deportiva Ibiza, which was founded in 1956.
The club quickly became a focal point for local sports, competing in the lower Spanish divisions, until eventually reaching the Segunda Division B, Spain’s third tier, where it spent eight seasons.
Despite success, the club was plagued with financial instability in 1997 and was forced to dissolve.
Emerging from the legacy of SD Ibiza, Union Deportiva Ibiza-Eivissa was founded in 1995 and played modestly in the fourth division for nine consecutive seasons. They spent two seasons in the third tier before suffering back-to-back relegations and eventually being liquidated in 2010 due to a €1 million debt. This left a significant gap in Ibiza’s football scene.
The birth of the current team
However, residents were not without a local team for long, as in 2015, former Valencia CF President Amadeo Salvo founded UD Ibiza to revive professional football on the island.
Drawing inspiration from the legacy of Eivissa, the new club settled the outstanding debts of its predecessor. It was allowed to use its old identity as a result, as well as playing home matches at the 6,000-capacity Estadi Municipal de Can Misses.
Rapid rise through the Spanish leagues
UD Ibiza began its journey in the fifth division of Spanish football and achieved promotion to the fourth division in 2017 after topping the table.
In 2018, the club received an administrative promotion into the third tier after paying off the debts of the dissolved Lorca FC.
The pinnacle of the club’s achievements came in 2021, when UD Ibiza secured promotion to the second division, the highest in Ibiza’s football history.
Following relegation in 2023, UD Ibiza currently competes back in the third tier.
Copa Del Rey performances
UD Ibiza have made some notable appearances in the Copa del Rey, Spain’s main domestic cup competition.
- 2019-20 – the club made headlines by defeating Pontevedra 2-0 in the opening round, and beating Albacete Balompie on penalties following a 1-1 draw at full time. They narrowly lost 2-1 to Barcelona in the round of 32, having led the match until the final stages.
- 2020-21 – the following season, they stunned the football world by beating La Liga side Celta Vigo 5-2 in the second round, before falling 2-1 to eventual runner-up, Athletic Bilbao.
- In both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, they reached the second round of the tournament, but the following two seasons saw them not progress beyond the first round.
As of October 2025, UD Ibiza competes in Primera Federación Group 2, the third tier of Spanish football. In the current season, the club has achieved 3 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses, placing them 8th in the group standings.
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