Girona Relegated: The Dramatic Fall from Champions League Heights

In a final day of high tension at the Estadi Montilivi, Girona’s turbulent journey through the upper echelons of Spanish football hit a devastating roadblock. The City Football Group-owned club has been relegated from La Liga following a 1-1 draw against Elche on Saturday, a result that sealed their departure from the top flight just 16 months after their historic appearance in the Champions League.

A Season of Struggle

Girona entered the final round of the 2025-26 season sitting in 18th place—the final relegation spot—trailing Elche by two points. Despite a spirited effort on home soil, the draw proved insufficient to bridge the gap. While Arnau Martinez found the back of the net for the hosts early in the second half, responding to an earlier goal from Elche’s Alvaro Rodriguez, the single point was not enough to save the Catalan side from the drop to the second tier.

The relegation marks a sharp decline for a club that had been a rising force in Spanish football. After achieving promotion to La Liga for the first time in their history in 2017, the club experienced a cycle of highs and lows. Following a relegation in 2019 and a return to the top flight in 2022, the team reached its zenith in 2024, finishing third in La Liga and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time.

The Impact of Ownership and Strategy

The club, which is 47% owned by the City Football Group, has seen significant investment since the group first acquired a stake in the summer of 2017. Under the chairmanship of Pere Guardiola, Girona had been widely lauded for their tactical evolution and recruitment strategy. However, the 2025-26 campaign proved to be a persistent struggle. After a 16th-place finish the previous season, the team was unable to escape the relegation zone throughout the most recent campaign, ultimately finishing second from bottom alongside Real Oviedo and Mallorca.

Key Takeaways from Girona’s Relegation

• Final Standings: Girona concludes the season in 19th place, failing to overcome the two-point deficit required to surpass Elche on the final day.
• European Contrast: The club’s descent follows a period of rapid growth, having competed in the Champions League as recently as 16 months ago.
• Ownership Context: The club remains under the umbrella of the City Football Group, which has maintained a significant stake in the organization since 2017.

Looking Ahead

The immediate future for Girona involves a return to the second division of Spanish football. For a club that has become accustomed to the prestige of European competition and the intensity of La Liga, the challenge will be to stabilize the squad and rebuild under the constraints of a lower-tier budget. As the dust settles on the 2025-26 season, the focus in Girona shifts from the heights of the Champions League to the arduous task of securing a path back to the top flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long ago was Girona in the Champions League?

Girona played in the Champions League 16 months prior to their relegation on the final day of the 2025-26 season.

Who owns Girona?

Girona is owned in part by the City Football Group, which holds a 47% stake in the club.

When was Girona first promoted to La Liga?

The club first achieved promotion to the Spanish top flight in 2017.