Every weekend, Quintana Square in Ciudad Lineal becomes a meeting point for sticker collectors, especially during the 2026 football World Cup.
Quintana Square, in the Ciudad Lineal district, is known by several nicknames: 'the square of stickers', 'of bravas' or 'of the old ones'. But what really makes it special is the tradition that has been maintained there for decades: the exchange of football stickers and the snack of patatas bravas at Docamar, founded in 1963.
The sticker exchange, a weekly appointment
Every Saturday and Sunday, from 10 am to 2 pm, dozens of children and adults gather in the square with their albums and boxes of stickers. The oldest stickers, such as those of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi from the 2010 World Cup, are valued at high prices. Isaac, a 21-year-old who has been coming with his grandfather for years, explains that stickers of Lamine Yamal can reach up to 1,000 euros.
The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly. Children exchange duplicate stickers for the ones they lack, while adults observe from the sidelines. The activity is non-profit, according to the organisers, which keeps it free from municipal fees. In addition to football, there is also an exchange of Pokémon and Super Zings stickers.
The tradition dates back to the 1960s, when Pepe 'El Cojillo' began selling stickers in the area, even before the square was built. Today, the market remains an intergenerational meeting point, where the older generation recalls their days as collectors and children learn to socialise.
Docamar's patatas bravas, the perfect complement
Docamar bar is another pillar of the tradition. Founded by Donato Cabrera Martínez, it is now run by his grandson Raúl Cabrera. The recipe for their patatas bravas comes from La Casona, a historic Madrid establishment that has since closed. The sauce, which was initially sold in recycled wine bottles, has become a symbol of the bar.
Those who attend the market often stop by Docamar before or after to enjoy a tapa of bravas with a vermouth or a beer. The combination of stickers and bravas is a plan that attracts entire families, especially on weekends. Raúl Cabrera highlights that the tradition remains alive despite the digital age, and that during the 2026 World Cup, the influx of children and collectors has increased significantly.
Quintana Square is an example of how popular traditions can survive in a large city like Madrid. The exchange of stickers and Docamar's patatas bravas are two hallmarks that, for now, resist disappearing. For the residents of Ciudad Lineal, this corner remains a meeting place where football and gastronomy come together.
