A competitive team
Ilicitano plays for points, promotion and relegation against independent senior clubs and other reserve teams. These are not friendlies.
ELCHE CF'S RESERVE TEAM · SINCE 1932
ELCHE ILICITANO
It is much more than a reserve team. Elche Ilicitano is the final major bridge between the academy and professional football: a team with its own history, official competition and a mission capable of changing careers.
The complete guide to Elche Ilicitano: what the reserve team is, its history since 1932, Segunda Federación 2026/27, RFEF rules, the full fixture list and players who reached the first team.
After the latest match against Yeclano Deportivo on 27 September 2026, Ilicitano sit 13th in Segunda Federación · Group 3. They have played 4 matches, winning 1, drawing 1 and losing 2. The season's leading scorer is Scianca with 1 goals. Eloy and Salva Juárez have played the most minutes with 360 each.
The next league match is on 3 October 2026 against UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia CF at Polideportivo Mpal. Altabix - Diego Quiles at 16:15.
This page has everything you need to follow Ilicitano throughout the 2026/2027 season.
NOT A RESERVE LEAGUE
What exactly is Elche Ilicitano?
In Spain, many B teams compete as real teams within the regular league pyramid. That makes reserve-team football very different from a traditional reserve league.
The final development stage
Young players face senior football here before making the step to the first team, while Juvenil players can move up within the club structure.
Same club – special restrictions
The RFEF sets specific rules for players and divisions. Ilicitano can never compete in the same division as the first team.
Its own identity
Historically it was known as Sportman Club Ilicitano and Deportivo Ilicitano, and it even played two seasons in Segunda División.
WHERE IS IT IN THE PYRAMID?
Four tiers from the top – but real competition
Segunda Federación is the fourth tier in 2026/27. Ilicitano competes in Group 3 with clubs from the Valencian Community, Murcia and the Balearic Islands.
Tier 1LALIGA EA SPORTS
ELCHE CFTier 2LALIGA HYPERMOTION
Tier 3Primera Federación
Tier 4Segunda Federación
ELCHE ILICITANO 2026/27Tier 5Tercera Federación
Group 3 opponents
The RFEF confirmed the final group composition on 14 August 2026. The group contains 18 clubs.
CD Alcoyano
C.D. Cieza
U.D. Castellonense
UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia CF
CF La Nucía
UD Poblense
CF Lorca Deportiva
Elche Ilicitano
CD Minera
SCR Peña Deportiva
Real Murcia Imperial
Orihuela CF
CD Castellón B
CF Intercity
Valencia-Mestalla
RCD Mallorca B
Yeclano Deportivo
CD Atlético Baleares
ELCHE ILICITANO · 2007
ELCHE ILICITANO
THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE RESERVE TEAM
Can players move up and down? Yes, but with limits.
The reserve-team system is designed to develop players, but the RFEF competition regulations set clear conditions.
01
The main rule is under-23
As a general rule, a player registered with the reserve team must be under 23 to be fielded by a higher team within the club.
02
Special exception for goalkeepers
In professional competitions, a reserve-team goalkeeper may play for the first team if he is under 25.
03
Ten matches can change the return
A player can normally move up and return, but after appearing in ten official matches for the higher team, the return may become restricted, with exceptions for certain youth licences.
04
Minutes are not the deciding factor
For the ten-match count, appearing in official matches counts regardless of the actual minutes played.
05
Ilicitano cannot share a division with the first team
The first team and reserve team cannot compete in the same division. If sporting results would take them to the same level, the reserve team must give way.
06
Registration and windows matter too
Licence, registration, age and registration periods determine when a player can represent each team.
A practical example
A 20-year-old Ilicitano player can be called up by the first team, play minutes in LALIGA and then return to the reserve team if the reserve-team and registration rules still allow it.
ALMOST A CENTURY
From Sportman to today's Ilicitano
The reserve team's history is older and more independent than many imagine. In the late 1960s it reached a level that is almost unthinkable for a B team today.
1932
Sportman Club Ilicitano is born
A local team is formed in Elche. The club itself has remembered Sportman as a loyal organisation that supported Elche during an early crisis.
After the Civil War
Deportivo Ilicitano
Sportman becomes Deportivo Ilicitano as foreign names are Castilianised.
1968
Promotion to Segunda División
Deportivo Ilicitano reaches the second tier while the first team competes in Primera.
1968/69–1969/70
Two seasons in the second tier
The reserve team plays two consecutive seasons in Segunda División: its great golden age.
1992–2005
Elche CF B
For a period it uses the classic B-team name before recovering the Ilicitano identity.
2012–2013
Two promotions
It returns to Tercera in 2012 and one year later wins promotion to Segunda División B.
2023/24
Champions and promotion
With Ángel Donato and Nino, the team wins its Tercera Federación group, strings together 14 victories and secures promotion with five rounds to spare.
2025/26
A young team secures survival
Carlos Cuéllar's team finishes 12th with 41 points in Segunda Federación.
2026/27
A new season in the fourth tier
Several Juvenil players again get the opportunity to join the reserve team's work.
WHEN THE RESERVE TEAM PLAYED IN SEGUNDA
1968–70: the unlikely peak
The most spectacular chapter is its two seasons in Segunda División while Elche competed in Primera. The club had a development team in the country's second tier.
2 seasons
in Segunda División
1968–70
in Spain's second tier
1932
the story begins
THE PATH UPWARDS
When Ilicitano became the springboard
Some names explain exactly why the reserve team exists. Other great Elche figures came through the same academy.
Direct route through the reserve team
Vavá
Deportivo Ilicitano → Elche CF → Pichichi
He arrived from Béjar Industrial to Deportivo Ilicitano, stepped up to the first team and later became Primera's Pichichi in 1965/66 with 19 goals, as well as Elche's first senior Spain international.
Direct route through the reserve team
Juan Manuel Asensi
Ilicitano → Elche CF → FC Barcelona
He played for Ilicitano in 1966/67 before succeeding with Elche. He later became a major Barcelona player and made 41 appearances for Spain.
Juan Manuel Asensi in 1973 · Hans Peters / Anefo / Wikimedia CommonsDirect route through the reserve team
Carlos Maciá Bonet
Juvenil → Deportivo Ilicitano → Elche CF
Captain of the Ilicitano side promoted to Segunda, then a first-team player and captain, and later Elche coach in Primera.
Academy to star
Marcial Pina
Elche academy → first team → Barcelona
Elche describes him as a genuine academy product. He made his first-team debut at 18 and later played for Espanyol and Barcelona.
THE CURRENT MISSION
Results matter – development matters more
Ilicitano must compete at a demanding senior level without turning short-term results into a barrier for young players.
Carlos Cuéllar
The former Premier League and LALIGA defender took charge of the reserve team in 2025/26 and will remain in charge until 2028. The club wants a methodology aligned with the first team.
Juvenil → Ilicitano
Ahead of 2026/27, several Juvenil players joined the reserve team's pre-season work.
Senior football as development
At the fourth tier, Elche's young players face adult opponents, experience, travel and competitive pressure every week.
WHERE DOES IT PLAY?
Campo Municipal Diego Quiles
Campo Municipal Diego Quiles
Diego Quiles is Ilicitano's regular home ground and a central part of Elche CF's football base. It was used regularly in Segunda Federación during 2025/26. Capacity is limited and match-specific information should always be checked because individual games may be moved to other pitches or, exceptionally, Estadio Martínez Valero.
Regular home ground
Diego Quiles
Crowd
Limited capacity
Tickets
Match-specific info
LIVE
How to watch Ilicitano live
During 2025/26 Elche CF stated that Ilicitano could be followed via the club's official YouTube channel and VegaFibra. There is not yet an equivalent official guarantee for every 2026/27 match. Check the club's information before each fixture.
Last verified setup: official Elche CF broadcasts on YouTube/VegaFibra during 2025/26.
QUICK ANSWERS
Common questions about a reserve team
Is Elche Ilicitano the same as Elche CF B?+
Functionally, yes: it is the club's reserve team. The name Elche CF B has also been used historically.
Can it be promoted to Primera Federación?+
Yes, if it earns promotion on sporting merit and there is no conflict with the first team's division. They can never share a division.
Can an Ilicitano player play in LALIGA in the same week?+
It may be possible if age, licence, registration and reserve-team rules allow it.
Is the objective to win or to develop players?+
Both matter, but the main strategic function is to develop footballers for Elche CF.
Does Elche Ilicitano play in the Copa del Rey?+
No. As Elche CF's reserve team, Ilicitano cannot take part in the Copa del Rey. If its league position would award a place, that place passes to the next eligible club under RFEF regulations.
Where is the current squad?+
On the dedicated squad page. The 2026/27 team is presented there by position and official portraits are synchronised directly from Elche CF.