Rayo Vallecano is on the brink of history, and now they know who will be keeping the whistle for their biggest game ever. UEFA has officially named Italian referee Maurizio Mariani as the man in charge for the 2026 UEFA Conference League final—a match that pits the Madrid side against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, May 27, at Leipzig Stadium.

For a club celebrating its centenary, this is the most important fixture in a hundred years. Mariani, 44, earned his international badge in 2019 and has steadily climbed the ranks to secure his first major European club final. Fresh off officiating seven Champions League matches this season, he brings the kind of composure and sharpness that UEFA trusts in high-stakes showdowns.

The officiating crew is an all-Italian affair on the sidelines, with Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni running the touchlines. In the VAR room, Marco Di Bello will lead the technology team, ensuring every call is backed by precision—a crucial ally in a match that will have the entire Vallecas neighborhood holding its breath.

After knocking out a series of tough opponents, Íñigo Pérez’s squad heads to Germany with dreams of lifting their first continental trophy. It’s a moment that could define a generation of Rayo fans, and the stage is set for a classic.