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Barcelona Considers Playing El Clásico in a Major European Stadium

Barcelona Considers Playing El Clásico in a Major European Stadium

Playing at Spotify Camp Nou is the goal, but the club does not rule out moving it abroad if the works are not ready by May 11

Ignacio Tylko

Madrid

Jueves, 23 de enero 2025, 14:30

Barcelona is considering the option of playing the second leg of La Liga's El Clásico in a major European stadium, as reported by the programme 'Qué t'hi jugues' on SER Catalunya. Surprisingly, the club led by Joan Laporta does not rule out moving the grand duel of Spanish football abroad if it becomes impossible to hold it at the new Spotify Camp Nou due to further delays in construction.

Recently, the club announced the renewal of the agreement with the City Council of Barcelona to continue playing at the Lluís Companys Stadium in Montjuïc until the end of April. However, extending this agreement further is challenging due to a series of concerts scheduled in May, which would be difficult to cancel, especially given the hefty compensations that would need to be paid to promoters. For instance, it is worth noting that the Rolling Stones plan to start their world tour in Barcelona.

Barcelona has not yet communicated this Plan B to LaLiga or the Spanish Football Federation, as they are confident that the works will be completed on time. Both organisations would need to approve moving the match outside of Spain. Barcelona is considering this option because they believe a Barça-Real Madrid match should be played in a stadium with large capacity and the best possible conditions to meet the demanding requirements of a universal match that generates between eight and nine million euros in revenue thanks to its audience.

Laporta also faces this issue concerning the Champions League, although it has been mitigated as Barcelona is already directly qualified for the round of 16, having finished the group stage among the top eight. The chosen venue must be designated by February 21, before the hypothetical semi-finals, following the round of 32 playoffs from which they have been exempt due to sporting merit, and before the round of 16 matches scheduled for March 4/5 and 11/12.

Thanks to the extension with the City Council, Montjuïc would also be available for the quarter-finals, which are to be played in the first half of April. The question remains about what would happen in a potential penultimate round, as the semi-final is scheduled for April 29/30 and May 6/7. UEFA requires all matches to be played at the same venue from now on, without accepting any changes.

This is why various alternative options have been discussed. Barcelona's initial search was within Catalonia, but Girona, Lleida, or Tarragona have very small stadiums. The option of Espanyol's stadium, with a capacity of 40,000 spectators, would be more viable, although some voices oppose playing in Cornellà. Options such as Mestalla or the Metropolitano were also considered.

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todoalicante Barcelona Considers Playing El Clásico in a Major European Stadium