Deportivo Alavés is one of the Basque Country’s most historic and resilient football institutions, based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava. Universally known as "El Glorioso" (The Glorious One) or "Babazorros" (The Bean Eaters), the club competes in La Liga and plays its home matches at the iconic 19,840-capacity Estadio de Mendizorrotza, one of Spanish football's oldest active stadiums.
Founded in 1921 as Sport Friends Club before taking the name Deportivo Alavés, the team traditionally plays in blue-and-white vertical striped shirts with blue shorts. Alavés made its top-flight Spanish debut in 1930 and has built a enduring reputation as a hard-fighting regional power known for its defensive discipline and passionate fan base.
The club achieved global legendary status during its European debut in the 2000–01 season. Alavés executed an extraordinary run to the 2001 UEFA Cup Final, contesting one of European football's greatest finals against Liverpool in Dortmund before narrowly falling 5–4 in extra time via a golden goal. Domestically, Alavés also reached the Copa del Rey final in 2017 and won the Segunda División title four times.
Deportivo Alavés maintains intense regional Basque rivalries, contesting high-stakes derbies against Athletic Club, Real Sociedad, and CA Osasuna.
