RCD Espanyol is one of Spanish football’s most historic, foundational, and respected institutions, based in Barcelona, Catalonia. Universally known as "Periquitos" (The Parakeets) or "Blanquiazules" (The White-and-Blues), the club competes in La Liga and plays its home matches at the modern, UEFA Category 4 Stage Front Stadium (RCDE Stadium) in Cornellà-El Prat, with a capacity of 40,000.
Founded in 1900 by Ángel Rodríguez, Espanyol holds a unique place in football history as the first Spanish club founded exclusively by Spanish students and fans (hence the name "Espanyol"). Dressed in blue-and-white vertical stripes, the team was a founding member of La Liga in 1929 and scored the first goal in the competition's history, establishing itself as an enduring pillar of Spanish football.
Throughout its illustrious history, Espanyol has captured 4 Copa del Rey titles—including memorable cup victories during its centenary in 2000 and again in 2006. On the European stage, the Parakeets reached the UEFA Cup final twice (1988, 2007), notably going unbeaten throughout the entire 2006–07 UEFA Cup tournament in regular time before falling in a drama-filled penalty shootout against Sevilla in Glasgow.
RCD Espanyol contests one of Spain's most historic and passionate city rivalries against cross-town neighbors FC Barcelona, a fixture known across the region as the Barcelonès Derby (Derbi Barceloní).
