CD Yaiza Football Club

Tucked away in the southern municipality of Yaiza, this small community club has been at the heart of local football for many years. Most of the players come from nearby villages, and the supporters are the kind of people who greet every player by name. It is a real reflection of the close-knit spirit we enjoy here on Lanzarote.

CD Yaiza was created so that our corner of Lanzarote, from the town of Yaiza down to Playa Blanca, could have its own team to cheer for. Over the years, the club has played in the regional leagues, where football is all about local pride and the joy of the game. These matches might not make national headlines, but they are full of passion, with neighbours supporting neighbours and a real sense of community on and off the pitch.

The story of CD Yaiza is one of quiet commitment. There have been seasons to celebrate and others that have tested everyone’s patience, but through it all, the club has stayed close to its roots. Here in Yaiza, most people know each other, and the football club is a real meeting point for the community. Families have supported, played for, and helped run the club for generations, making it a true part of local life.

CD Yaiza’s home matches take place at the municipal football ground right here in Yaiza, a pitch that’s always kept in good shape, even if the facilities are on the simple side. The ground is set in the heart of our lovely whitewashed village, which once earned the title of tidiest village in Spain,  and you can see that same care and pride in every corner, including the football ground itself. Low walls and plain terracing surround the pitch, with a small covered spot for spectators to enjoy the game out of the sun.

It’s hard to imagine a more Lanzarote setting for football. The volcanoes of Timanfaya rise up behind the ground, and the whitewashed houses of Yaiza make a beautiful frame for the pitch. On a clear day, the view from the terracing is something I never tire of and it really does rival any football ground I’ve come across. The ground is small, with space for just a few hundred, but when there’s a big match or a local derby, it feels as if the whole village is there, and the atmosphere is far bigger than the numbers would suggest.

The stadium facilities are straightforward. On match days, you’ll usually find a small bar or a stall with cold drinks and snacks, and there are toilets on site. 

CD Yaiza are instantly recognisable as they step onto the pitch in their familiar green kit, a colour that locals and long-time supporters have come to associate with the club. Over the years, the design may have changed here and there, but the green has always remained, a proud tradition that feels very much at home in Yaiza.

When CD Yaiza play away from home, you might spot them in a change of colours; sometimes white, red, or even yellow, depending on the season. It not only helps them stand out on the pitch, but also brings a bit of variety for supporters who follow the team wherever they go.

The club badge is a lovely nod to Yaiza itself, with local touches and a straightforward design that feels true to the community. If you fancy taking home a little piece of the club, you can sometimes pick up a replica shirt or bit of merchandise at the ground on match days. It makes for a unique souvenir, and is sure to catch the eye of any football fan who enjoys the charm of grassroots football.

CD Unión Sur Yaiza is our local team here in Lanzarote, playing their football in Group 12 of the Tercera Federación, the fifth tier of the Spanish league. This league brings together clubs from across the Canary Islands, creating an exciting, competitive atmosphere. The season usually stretches from September through to May, so there is plenty of time to catch a match and support the team.

The league is set up so that teams play both home and away matches against their fellow Canary Islands clubs, with promotion and relegation keeping things interesting each year. For CD Unión Sur Yaiza, this means regular trips to neighbouring islands like Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and La Palma. These journeys, whether by ferry or plane, are part of the unique challenge of island football and show the devotion of everyone involved.

Most matches take place on Sunday mornings or afternoons, though you might find the occasional Saturday game as well. Kick off times are shared by the regional football federation, but you will often hear about them through the club’s social media or simply by chatting with neighbours. The football here is played with real heart and enthusiasm, and while it may not always be the most polished, the commitment from the players and the passion from the supporters make every match a memorable experience.

Watching CD Yaiza play is an experience that takes you back to a time when football was about community, not commerce. Turning up at the ground on a Sunday afternoon, you will find a handful of locals gathering on the terracing, families with children running around, old men who have been watching the club for decades, and occasionally a bewildered tourist who has stumbled upon the ground by accident and stayed out of curiosity. The welcome is warm and genuine. Nobody will check your ticket or frisk you at the entrance. If there is a charge, it is nominal. If there is a bar, the beer is cold and cheap.

The match itself is competitive and entertaining, played at a pace that allows you to appreciate the skill and effort of the players without the frantic intensity of professional football. You are close enough to hear the players calling to each other, the manager shouting instructions, and the opposition goalkeeper swearing under his breath after conceding a goal. You can see the effort on the faces, the sweat on the shirts, and the pure joy when a goal goes in. The supporters react with an immediacy and honesty that has been coached out of fans at higher levels. A good tackle gets a genuine cheer. A bad pass gets a groan. A goal gets a roar that seems impossibly loud for the small number of people present.

The town of Yaiza is a pleasant place to visit in its own right, with whitewashed architecture, a good selection of restaurants and proximity to some of the island's best attractions including Timanfaya National Park. Combining a Sunday morning match with lunch in Yaiza and an afternoon drive to Timanfaya or El Golfo makes for an excellent day out that most tourists would never think of.

When CD Unión Sur Yaiza and UD Lanzarote face each other, Lanzarote comes alive for derby day. These matches, eagerly anticipated by supporters of both clubs, are more than just regular league fixtures; they're fierce battles for island bragging rights. 

The atmosphere at the ground is electric, with crowds larger and more animated than usual, and the local community turns out in full force to support their team.

CD Yaiza is just one part of Lanzarote’s lively local football scene, which stretches well beyond the well-known UD Lanzarote. All across the island, you’ll find clubs representing their own towns and villages, each bringing something special to the colourful world of Canarian football. Teams from places like Arrecife, Tias, San Bartolome, Teguise, Haria and many other communities take to the pitch each week, building friendly rivalries and keeping the island’s football spirit alive all season long.

Youth football is especially close to our hearts here, with junior leagues running all season and giving local children the chance to play from an early age. Most towns have their own football pitches, and it’s a familiar sight to see groups of youngsters training in the evenings, guided by dedicated volunteer coaches who help nurture the next generation.

This strong grassroots tradition means that many of our senior clubs are filled with homegrown talent, as local players work their way up from the youth teams to join the first squads at clubs like CD Yaiza and UD Lanzarote.

If you’re a football fan visiting Lanzarote, the local matches are a real treat that many visitors miss. There’s something special about spending a Sunday afternoon at a regional league game, mingling with local supporters, with the island’s volcanic scenery all around you and a cold drink in hand. It’s a true taste of Lanzarote life that you simply won’t find in any resort entertainment schedule. If you’re interested, just ask at your hotel reception about upcoming matches, or have a look at the social media pages for UD Lanzarote, CD Yaiza and the other local clubs.