Camp Nou
The Barcelona stadium that hosted World Cup openers and Olympic finals.
Camp Nou is a stadium in Barcelona and the home of La Liga club FC Barcelona since its opening in 1957. It is currently undergoing renovation, and with a planned increased seating capacity of 105,000 it will retain its position as the largest stadium in terms of seating capacity in Spain and Europe. It has hosted five matches in the 1982 FIFA World Cup (including the opening game), half of the four matches at the 1964 European Nations' Cup, and the football tournament's final at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
- Location
- Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Opened
- 1957
- Capacity_Historical
- Over 90,000 spectators
- Primary_Tenant
- FC Barcelona
- Status
- Active (Renovation ongoing)
- National_Team_Role
- Occasional Host Venue
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Camp Nou opened on 24 September 1957, the feast of La Mercè, with a solemn mass and some 90,000 people in attendance. The architects were Francesc Mitjans and Josep Soteras, with the collaboration of Lorenzo García-Barbón. The stadium was inspired by De Kuip, home of Feyenoord, built in 1937, featuring oval rings around the pitch. Its capacity has varied greatly over the years, opening at 106,146 and growing to 121,401 for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. That expansion added boxes, VIP lounges, a new press area, new markers, and the construction of the third tier. Barcelona's record attendance was set on 5 March 1986 in the European Cup quarter-final against Juventus in front of 120,000 spectators.
In Their Own Story
On 13 June 1982, Camp Nou hosted the inauguration ceremony of the 1982 FIFA World Cup. In front of 95,000 spectators, Belgium upset the defending champions Argentina 1–0 in that opening match. The stadium then hosted three round-robin matches between the Soviet Union, Poland and Belgium, which Poland won to reach the semi-finals, where they played Italy at Camp Nou, losing 2–0. Italy went on to win the final at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. Camp Nou also hosted the football tournament's final at the 1992 Summer Olympics, and for those matches two additional tiers of seating were installed over the previous roof-line.
Reader's Guide
Camp Nou is located at the end of Travessera de les Corts, next to the Cementiri and the Maternitat. The stadium houses the second-most visited museum in Catalonia, the Barcelona Museum, which receives more than 1.2 million visitors per year. Facilities include a memorabilia shop, mini-pitches for training matches, and a chapel for the players. The stadium was renovated in 1993–94, when the pitch was lowered by 2.5 metres, the security gap was removed, and standing room was eliminated in favour of individual seating. During 1998–99, UEFA rated Camp Nou a five-star stadium. On 1 October 2017, Barcelona's league match against Las Palmas was played in an empty Camp Nou due to political turmoil in the region.
Did You Know?
- Camp Nou opened on 24 September 1957 with some 90,000 people in attendance.
- The stadium's capacity grew to 121,401 for the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
- Camp Nou hosted the opening match of the 1982 World Cup, where Belgium upset defending champions Argentina 1–0.
- The stadium hosted the football tournament's final at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
- Barcelona's record attendance at Camp Nou was 120,000 spectators for a European Cup quarter-final against Juventus on 5 March 1986.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Camp Nou the official home stadium for the Spain National Team?
No, it is the permanent fortress of FC Barcelona rather than La Roja. However, the national team occasionally uses this iconic arena for important matches instead.
Where is Camp Nou located geographically?
This monumental venue stands within the city of Barcelona in the Catalonia region of Spain. Its location creates a unique blend of local club culture and national team pride during international fixtures.
When did Camp Nou first open to spectators?
The stadium officially opened its gates back in 1957 after construction was completed. It has historically accommodated over 90,000 fans while currently undergoing renovation updates.
What types of matches does Spain play at this venue?
La Roja utilizes the ground for crucial qualifiers and high-stakes friendlies rather than regular home games. These events often mark defining eras in the history of Spanish football.
Why is Camp Nou significant to fans despite not being their main stadium?
It represents a rare intersection where Catalan identity meets national sporting ambition. The arena has echoed with historic moments that remain vital to the legacy of the Spain National Team.
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