Independiente del Valle officially presented its 2026 team on February 8, 2024, during a festive event called Valle Fest, which included a friendly match against Deportivo Quito. The day was filled with enthusiasm as fans gathered to support their team, marking the start of the pre-season preparations. The head coach, Joaquín Papa, is still experimenting with different lineups as the team gears up for the official start of the season, scheduled for February 20.

During the match, although the pace was relatively slow due to the pre-season preparations, there were notable moments on the field. Djorkaeff Reasco opened the scoring for Independiente del Valle in the first half with one of the few clear chances of the game. However, Deportivo Quito managed to equalize just before halftime with a goal from Óscar Valencia, which spurred excitement among their fans in the stadium.

The friendly served not only as a platform to introduce the new players but also as an opportunity for the coaches to assess player performance ahead of the competitive season. The match results and the overall atmosphere at Valle Fest indicate positive momentum for Independiente del Valle as they look forward to the upcoming challenges in the league.