Founded in 1900 as Sociedad Española de Football, the club’s earliest emblems were relatively simple and reflected the sporting aesthetics of the era, often incorporating football motifs and the national colours of Spain. These early badges emphasized the club’s identity as a team founded by Spaniards, a characteristic that inspired its name.
A significant change came in 1910, when the club adopted the blue-and-white colours that would become synonymous with Espanyol. Inspired by the heraldic shield of the medieval admiral Roger de Llúria, the club introduced a circular crest featuring blue-and-white stripes enclosed within a red ring. This design marked the birth of the badge’s most enduring visual elements and established the foundation of the crest still used today.
An even more important milestone followed in 1912, when King Alfonso XIII granted the club royal patronage. The club received the honorary title “Real”, becoming Real Club Deportivo Español, and was authorized to add a royal crown above its crest. The addition of the crown transformed the badge into one of Spain’s most recognizable football emblems and symbolized the club’s official connection to the monarchy.
During the following decades, Espanyol experimented with several variations of the badge. In the 1920s, a triangular version briefly appeared, while other designs modified the arrangement of the stripes, lettering and decorative elements. Despite these changes, the blue-and-white striped shield and royal symbolism remained central to the club’s identity.
The crest underwent a temporary transformation during the era of the Second Spanish Republic. As royal symbols were prohibited, both the title “Real” and the royal crown were removed from the badge. For several years, the club competed with a simplified version of its emblem that reflected the political realities of the period rather than its traditional identity.
Following the Spanish Civil War, the royal title and crown were restored, and Espanyol returned to a crest much closer to the one introduced in 1912. Over the following decades, the club made only subtle adjustments to the design, refining the crown, improving the typography and modernizing the proportions while preserving the essential structure of the badge.
A notable redesign came in 1995, when the club officially adopted the Catalan spelling of its name, becoming RCD Espanyol de Barcelona. The wording around the circular frame was updated accordingly, reflecting both the club’s Catalan roots and its modern identity. The crown was also refined, giving the badge a cleaner and more balanced appearance.
Further modernization followed in 2005, when Espanyol unveiled a refreshed version of its crest. The redesign enhanced the clarity of the blue-and-white stripes, refined the typography and introduced a more detailed golden crown. The changes were evolutionary rather than revolutionary, ensuring that the club’s historic identity remained intact while improving the badge’s adaptability for modern media and branding.
RCD Espanyol Club History
RCD Espanyol was founded on 28 October 1900 in Barcelona by a group of university students led by Ángel Rodríguez Ruiz. Unlike many of the city’s early football clubs, which had been established by foreign residents, Espanyol was created by local Spanish football enthusiasts. This unique origin inspired the club’s name and established an identity that would distinguish it throughout its history.
In its early years, the club competed in regional Catalan competitions and quickly became one of the leading teams in Barcelona. After a brief interruption in activity in 1906, the club was reorganized and re-emerged as Club Deportivo Español, laying the foundations for its future growth. The team adopted the blue-and-white colours in 1910, inspired by the heraldic arms of the medieval admiral Roger de Llúria, colours that remain synonymous with the club today.
A major milestone came in 1912, when King Alfonso XIII granted the club royal patronage. As a result, Espanyol received the title “Real”, becoming Real Club Deportivo Español. The royal distinction elevated the club’s status and introduced the crown that continues to feature prominently on its crest.
Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, Espanyol established itself as one of Spain’s most respected clubs. The team won its first Copa del Rey in 1929, coinciding with the inaugural season of La Liga. The club became one of the founding members of Spain’s top division and developed a reputation as a competitive force in both domestic and regional football.
A defining chapter in Espanyol’s history began in 1923 with the opening of Estadi de Sarrià. The stadium became one of Spanish football’s most iconic venues and served as the club’s home for more than seventy years. Sarrià witnessed many of the greatest moments in Espanyol’s history and played a significant role in establishing the club’s identity.
Espanyol enjoyed further success in 1940, winning a second Copa del Rey title and reinforcing its position among Spain’s leading clubs. Although often overshadowed by larger rivals, the club remained a consistent presence in the top divisions of Spanish football throughout much of the twentieth century.
One of the most memorable periods in the club’s history came during the 1987–88 season, when Espanyol reached the final of the UEFA Cup. After defeating several major European clubs, the team faced Bayer Leverkusen in the final. Although Espanyol narrowly missed out on the trophy, the campaign remains one of the greatest achievements in the club’s history.
The 1990s brought significant changes. In 1995, the club officially adopted the Catalan spelling of its name, becoming Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona, while retaining the familiar initials RCD. Two years later, the club bid farewell to the historic Estadi de Sarrià, marking the end of an era that had defined generations of supporters.
A new golden moment arrived in 2000, when Espanyol won the Copa del Rey for the first time in sixty years. The triumph ended a long wait for major silverware and was followed by another Copa del Rey success in 2006, further strengthening the club’s reputation as one of Spain’s most successful cup teams.
The club also enjoyed another memorable European campaign in 2006–07, reaching the UEFA Cup Final for a second time. Once again, Espanyol came agonizingly close to continental glory before suffering defeat in a penalty shootout. Despite the disappointment, the run reinforced the club’s ability to compete at the highest level of European football.
In 2009, Espanyol moved into the modern RCDE Stadium, one of the most advanced football venues in Spain. The move provided the club with a modern home and symbolized the beginning of a new chapter in its history.
A defining feature of Espanyol’s identity is its rivalry with FC Barcelona, known as the Derbi Barceloní. One of the oldest rivalries in Spanish football, the fixture reflects the contrasting origins and identities of Barcelona’s two major clubs. While FC Barcelona grew into a global sporting institution, Espanyol developed a reputation for resilience, loyalty and a strong connection to its own community of supporters, known as the Pericos.
