La Liga officials are set to inspect Celta Vigo’s Estadio de Balaídos after reports of a suspected fungus outbreak damaged the playing surface ahead of the club’s opening match of the 2026-27 season.
Celta Vigo are scheduled to host Osasuna on Sunday, with kick-off set for 20:30 BST.
Reports from Spain indicate that the condition of the pitch has raised concerns over whether the fixture can go ahead as scheduled.
Sources close to La Liga reportedly told BBC Sport on Wednesday that league officials are expected to visit the 24,870-capacity stadium in Vigo within the next 24 hours to assess the playing surface.
Celta Vigo are understood to have requested that the match be postponed because of the condition of the pitch, while Osasuna are reportedly willing to play the fixture as scheduled.
The inspection will determine whether the surface is safe and suitable for a top-flight match.
Balaídos recently hosted Spain’s friendly against Iraq in June, before the national team went on to win the 2026 World Cup during the summer.
The stadium has also been undergoing renovation work for more than a decade and is expected to be one of 11 Spanish venues used for the 2030 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Once the renovation is completed, Balaídos is expected to have its capacity increased from the current 24,870 to between 40,000 and 44,000 spectators.
Celta had previously been given the option of postponing their opening fixture because striker Borja Iglesias was involved in Spain’s World Cup final campaign.
However, the club decided not to exercise that option.
A postponement caused by the pitch would add to changes already made to the opening weekend schedule.
Three other La Liga fixtures — Valencia against Real Betis, Real Madrid against Real Sociedad, and Barcelona against Athletic Club — have been rescheduled for later in the month because of clubs having players involved in the World Cup final.
The La Liga inspection will therefore determine whether Celta Vigo can begin their new campaign at home as planned or whether the Osasuna fixture will have to be moved to another date.
