History of Real Betis in Timeline

Real Betis Balompié is a professional football club based in Seville, Andalusia, Spain, competing in La Liga, the highest tier of Spanish football. Their current home stadium is Estadio de La Cartuja, with a capacity of 70,000.

October 1905: Sevilla FC founded

In October 1905, Sevilla FC, Betis' city rival, was founded, marking the beginning of organized football in Seville.

September 1907: España Balompié Established

In September 1907, España Balompié was established, later becoming Sevilla Balompié, contributing to the early football scene in Seville.

1909: Sevilla Balompié Officially Recognized

In 1909, España Balompié was officially recognized as Sevilla Balompié, solidifying its foundation within the football community.

1909: Betis moved to Campo del Prado de Santa Justa

In 1909, Real Betis moved to the Campo del Prado de Santa Justa.

1911: Team adopted the shirts of Celtic

From late 1911, Real Betis adopted the shirts of Celtic, at that time vertical stripes of green and white, that were brought over from Glasgow by Manuel Asensio Ramos, who had studied in Scotland as a child.

1914: Merger and Royal Patronage

In 1914, Betis Football Club merged with Sevilla Balompié, and the club received royal patronage, leading to the adoption of the name Real Betis Balompié.

1914: Real is added to Betis' name

In 1914, Real was added to the club's name after receiving patronage from King Alfonso XIII.

1914: Team became Real Betis Balompié

In 1914, when the team became Real Betis Balompié, various kits were used, including yellow and black stripes, green T-shirts, and a reversion to the blue top and white shorts uniform.

February 1915: First match against Sevilla

In February 1915, Real Betis and Sevilla played their first match, which Sevilla won 4–3. The match was abandoned after crowd violence.

1916: First Copa Andalucía

In 1916, the first Copa Andalucía was held, marking the first official derby of the Sevilla area.

November 1918: First game at Campo del Patronato Obrero

In November 1918, Real Betis played their first game at the Campo del Patronato Obrero against Sevilla, resulting in a 5–1 loss.

1918: Assembly of Ronda

By the end of the 1920s, Real Betis was once again sporting green and white stripes, around this time the Assembly of Ronda (1918) saw the Andalusian region formally adopt these colours.

1918: Copa Andalucía

In 1918, during the Copa Andalucía, Sevilla defeated Betis 22–0 after Betis sent their youth team.

1928: First league match between the teams

In 1928, Real Betis and Sevilla met for the first time in league play, in Segunda. Each team won their home match.

1929: Construction of Estadio de la Exposición

In 1929, the Estadio de la Exposición, now Betis' current home, was constructed.

June 1931: Copa del Presidente de la República final

On June 21, 1931, Betis reached the Copa del Presidente de la República final for the first time but lost 3–1 to Athletic Bilbao in Madrid.

1932: First Segunda División title

In 1932, Betis marked their 25th anniversary year by winning their first Segunda División title, finishing ahead of Real Oviedo and becoming the first club from Andalusia to play in La Liga.

1934: First top division match

In 1934, Real Betis and Sevilla played for the first time in the Spanish top division, resulting in a 0-3 home defeat for Sevilla and a 2-2 draw at Betis. Betis would later win the national championship that season.

April 1935: La Liga title win

On April 28, 1935, under the guidance of Irish coach Patrick O'Connell, Betis won La Liga, marking their only top division title to date.

1935: Real Betis wins the league title

In 1935, Real Betis won the league title.

1936: Decline after La Liga win

In 1936, Betis experienced a decline after winning La Liga due to the dismantling of the championship-winning team because of economic difficulties and the arrival of the Civil War.

1936: Betis moves into Estadio de la Exposición

In 1936, Real Betis officially moved into the Estadio de la Exposición, now their current home, after playing a number of games there since its construction.

1939: Return to full name and league resumption

In 1939, after the Spanish Civil War, the club reverted to its full name after being known as Betis Balompié during the Spanish Second Republic, and the official league resumed for the 1939–40 season.

1939: Return of the League and Relegation

In 1939, the Spanish league was resumed, but Betis faced relegation exactly five years after winning the title, highlighting their decline.

January 1943: Betis loses to Sevilla

In January 1943, Real Betis lost 5-0 to Sevilla and were eventually relegated.

1947: Relegation to Tercera División

In 1947, Real Betis reached an all-time low with relegation to Tercera División, marking a significant downturn in the club's history.

1954: Return to Segunda División

In 1954, Real Betis returned to the second level, earning the distinction of being the only club in Spain to have won all three major divisions' titles.

1955: Manuel Ruiz Rodríguez stepped down

In 1955, Manuel Ruiz Rodríguez stepped down from running the club believing he could not offer further economic growth and was replaced by Benito Villamarín.

September 1958: Betis wins at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium

In September 1958, Real Betis won 4-2 in the first game held at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.

1958: Return to top division

In 1958, during Benito Villamarín's reign, Real Betis returned to the top division.

1961: Purchase of Estadio Heliópolis

In 1961, Benito Villamarín's purchase of the Estadio Heliópolis marked a key point in the club's history; the grounds were later named Estadio Benito Villamarín in his honor.

1964: Third place finish

In 1964, Real Betis finished in third place in La Liga during Benito Villamarín's presidency.

1965: Villamarín stepped down

In 1965, Benito Villamarín stepped down from his position as president after ten years at the helm of the club.

1974: Consolidation in the Top Level

In 1974–75, Real Betis consolidated their place in the top level after consecutive relegations and promotions.

June 1977: Copa del Rey Title

On June 25, 1977, Real Betis won its first ever Copa del Rey title, defeating Athletic Bilbao 8–7 on penalties after a 2–2 draw.

1977: Real Betis wins the Copa del Rey

In 1977, Real Betis won the Copa del Rey.

1982: 1982 FIFA World Cup Matches Hosted

During the summer of 1982, the Benito Villamarín hosted two matches as part of the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

1982: UEFA Cup Qualification

In 1982, Real Betis achieved UEFA Cup qualification following a period of top-six finishes.

1984: UEFA Cup Qualification

In 1984, Real Betis achieved UEFA Cup qualification following a period of top-six finishes.

1984: Spain vs Malta

In 1984, the stadium witnessed the Spain national team's 12–1 victory over Malta, securing qualification for UEFA Euro 1984.

1992: Restructuring as an autonomous sporting group

In 1992, Real Betis had to comply with new league regulations due to its restructuring as an autonomous sporting group, requiring significant financial resources.

September 1994: 1,000th La Liga Game

On September 11, 1994, Real Betis played its 1,000th game in La Liga, marking a significant milestone.

1994: Return to the top flight

In 1994, Real Betis returned to the top flight for the 1994–95 season, subsequently achieving a final third position, thus qualifying to the UEFA Cup.

1997: Copa del Rey Final

In 1997, 20 years after winning the trophy for the first time, the club returned to the final of the Copa del Rey losing 2–3 against Barcelona after extra time.

2000: Relegation from La Liga

In the 1999–2000 season Real Betis were relegated from La Liga.

2002: UEFA Cup Third Round

In 2002, Real Betis reached the third round of the 2002–03 UEFA Cup under manager Víctor Fernández but was knocked out by Auxerre.

2004: Serra Ferrer Returns and Fourth Position

In 2004, Serra Ferrer returned as manager and guided Real Betis to the fourth position in the top flight.

June 2005: Copa del Rey title

On June 11, 2005, Betis won their second Copa del Rey title, defeating Osasuna 2-1 in extra time at the Vicente Calderón.

2005: Real Betis wins the Copa del Rey

In 2005, Real Betis won the Copa del Rey.

2005: Champions League Qualification

In the 2012–13 season, Betis finished seventh in La Liga and qualified for the 2005–06 Champions League, the first European qualification for the club since the 2005–06 Champions League.

2005: Previous Copa del Rey

On April 23, 2022 Betis won the Copa del Rey final against Valencia and it was the first trophy after 17 years, since they won their second Copa del Rey on 2005 against Osasuna (2–1).

2006: Managerial Change

In the summer of 2006, Serra Ferrer was replaced by Luis Fernandez as manager for the 2006-07 season, marking a change in the team's leadership.

2007: Centenary year

In 2007, Real Betis celebrated their centenary year, including a special match against Milan and winning the Ramón de Carranza Trophy.

2007: Copa del Rey match suspended

In 2007, a Copa del Rey match between Real Betis and Sevilla was suspended after Sevilla manager Juande Ramos was struck by a bottle of water. The match was played three weeks later in Getafe with no spectators.

2007: Disappointing Seasons

The two seasons encompassing the centenary year, 2006-07 and 2007-08, were disappointing for Real Betis, marked by multiple managerial changes and near relegation.

2008: Relegation

Real Betis' 2008-09 season culminated with relegation to the second division on goal difference.

February 2009: Betis wins but is relegated

In February 2009, Real Betis won 2-1 at the Pizjuán but was eventually relegated from the top flight, while Sevilla finished in third position.

June 2009: "15-J Yo Voy Betis" Protest March

On June 15, 2009, over 65,000 Beticos participated in a protest march in Sevilla, demanding the majority owner Ruiz de Lopera to sell his shares.

2009: Miki Roqué

In 2009 Miki Roqué joined Real Betis.

July 2010: Share sale to Bitton Sport

On July 7, 2010, Ruiz de Lopera sold 94% of his shares (51% of Betis total shares) to Bitton Sport, fronted by Luis Oliver, amidst fraud investigations.

October 2010: Stadium returns to its first denomination

On October 27, 2010, the stadium returned to its first denomination after a decision by the club's associates.

2011: Strong Start to the Season

In 2011-12, under Pepe Mel, Real Betis began the season with four consecutive wins and finished 13th in La Liga.

2012: Seventh Place Finish

In the 2012–13 season, Real Betis finished seventh in La Liga, securing qualification for the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League.

2013: Relegation from La Liga

In the 2013–14 season Real Betis were relegated from La Liga.

2013: Relegation and Immediate Return

In the 2013–14 season, Real Betis were relegated from La Liga, but they returned immediately as champions.

February 2017: Real Betis wore Celtic-inspired hoops against Málaga CF

On February 28, 2017, on the 37th Andalusia Day, Real Betis wore Celtic-inspired hoops against Málaga CF.

2017: Special hooped kit produced.

In 2017, Real Betis officially acknowledged the link with Celtic by producing a special hooped kit to coincide with Andalusia Day.

2017: Europa League Spot Earned

In the 2017–18 season, under Quique Setién, Real Betis finished sixth in La Liga, earning a spot in the Europa League.

2018: Copa del Rey Semi-Finals and Europa League

The 2018–19 campaign was very positive; the club reached the Copa del Rey semi-finals and topped their group in the Europa League.

November 2019: Betis fans visit the team training

In November 2019, more than 10,000 Betis fans visited the team training before the last derby in 2019.

2019: Improved League Position

Pellegrini guided Real Betis to a sixth-place finish and a Europa League spot, an improvement since the previous 2019–20 season where Betis finished 15th.

July 2020: Manuel Pellegrini Appointed Manager

On July 9, 2020, Manuel Pellegrini was appointed as Real Betis manager ahead of the 2020–21 season.

2021: Europa League Qualification

In the 2021–22 season, the club displayed consistency under Pellegrini's management by qualifying for the UEFA Europa League and finishing fifth.

April 2022: Copa del Rey title

On April 23, 2022, Real Betis won the Copa del Rey final against Valencia, winning 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

2022: Real Betis wins the Copa del Rey

In 2022, Real Betis won the Copa del Rey.

2022: Europa League Qualification

In the 2022–23 season, the club displayed consistency under Pellegrini's management by qualifying for the UEFA Europa League and finishing sixth.

2023: Conference League Qualification

In the 2023–24 season, the club qualified for the Conference League after a seventh-place finish and reached the club's first-ever European final the following season, however they lost to Chelsea 1–4.