Valencia is kind of a paradox. On one hand, you’ve got these futuristic, gleaming structures that look like they’re from a sci-fi movie. On the other, the city is currently caught in a very real, very gritty struggle over its agricultural soul. If you’re looking for valencia spain news today, you’re going to find a city that is moving fast—maybe too fast for some.
Honestly, the biggest thing happening right now isn't the beach weather or a new tapas bar. It’s the tractors. As of January 13, 2026, the local farming unions, La Unió de Llauradors and AVA-ASAJA, are sounding a massive alarm. They’re basically telling anyone who will listen that the EU-Mercosur trade agreement is going to gut the region. We’re talking about a potential loss of 35,000 jobs.
The Looming Tractor Blockades
You might want to avoid the AP-7 motorway on January 20. That’s the day the farmers are planning to bring their tractors out in force. They’re targeting the main export corridors because they feel backed into a corner.
The math is pretty grim. The new trade deal allows for a massive influx of Brazilian orange juice—about 200,000 tonnes of it. For a region that produces 65% of Spain's citrus, that's a direct hit. Local leaders like Josep Miarnau are warning that pesticide residues in imports are way higher than what's allowed here. It’s a classic "cheap imports vs. high standards" showdown.
If this deal goes through as planned, we could see a 28% collapse in citrus prices. That's not just a number on a spreadsheet; it's thousands of families in the huerta (the traditional market gardens) who might have to give up their land.
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The Stadium That Finally Stopped Being a Ghost
On a totally different note, the Nou Mestalla is finally—and I mean finally—starting to look like a stadium again. For years, it was just this concrete skeleton that people joked about. It was a symbol of "unfinished ambition," which is just a polite way of saying it was an eyesore.
But here’s the update: the city just gave the green light for the third stage of construction. They’re starting on the external structure and that massive, monumental roof. We’re talking about 50 steel columns, each 38 meters high.
If you walk by Avenida de Suecia, you can check out the new Experience Center. It’s all multimedia and immersive, trying to sell the vision of what the stadium will look like when it (hopefully) opens in about 17 months. It’s a big deal for Valencia CF fans who have been waiting since 2007.
Football, Transfers, and the Copa del Rey
Speaking of Valencia CF, the team is busy today. They’re currently training at Paterna, getting ready for a big week. On Thursday, January 15, they’re heading north to play Burgos CF in the Round of 16 for the Copa del Rey.
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The word on the street is that it’s going to be freezing at the El Plantío stadium. Former player Emilio Fenoll was just on the radio saying the pitch will probably be frozen. It’s going to be a "guts and courage" kind of game, not a "beautiful football" kind of game.
Transfer rumors are also flying. It looks like the club has reached out to Sporting CP about Jeremiah St. Juste. He’s a Dutch defender who can also play in midfield. Celta Vigo wants him too, but Valencia is pushing for a loan deal with an option to buy. With the January window open, this is moving fast.
The High-Tech Pivot
While farmers are worried about the old world, the new world is moving in. Valencia is becoming a legitimate hub for data centers. It’s now ranked alongside places like Madrid and Barcelona in the Spanish tech landscape.
The energy companies are scrambling to keep up. We’re seeing projects that want to run entirely on green hydrogen and renewable energy. It’s a massive shift for the local economy. Even the Port of Valencia is getting a high-tech facelift with a private 5G network and new "shore-side" electricity for ships to reduce pollution.
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What’s On This Week?
If you're in the city today, it's actually a great time for culture. A new immersive exhibition called "A World to Discover: The Holy Grail of Valencia" just opened today at the Almudín. It’s running through April.
The weather is typical for January—sunny but crisp. It’s hitting about 17°C during the day, which is light jacket weather, but it drops to 6°C at night. Don’t be that person who thinks Spain is always tropical; you’ll freeze once the sun goes down.
- Check the AP-7 schedule: If you’re traveling around the 20th, plan for delays due to the farm protests.
- Copa del Rey: Watch the match against Burgos this Thursday at 21:00. It’s a make-or-break moment for the season's momentum.
- Low Emission Zone: Be careful driving in the center. The 278 cameras are now fully active, and while residents have a break until 2028, out-of-province cars without labels are getting fined.
- The Holy Grail: Visit the Almudín for the new exhibition; it’s one of the best ways to see the city’s history through a modern lens.
Valencia is a city in transition. Between the high-tech ports and the traditional orange groves, there’s a lot of tension, but there's also a lot of life.