analysis
It has been a return full of obstacles and postponements: But now, after more than two years of reconstruction, FC Barcelona can now compete in international games again at the Camp Nou in the Champions League home game against Eintracht Frankfurt (Tuesday from 9 p.m. in the audio live stream and in the ticker). A milestone for the prestigious Catalan club.
It was only recently that stadium attendance in Spain follows different patterns than in Germany at the women’s Nations League final between Spain and Germany (3-0) to marvel at. The Estadio Metropolitano not far from Madrid airport felt half-empty around ten minutes before kick-off, and even when the national anthem was played, huge gaps could be seen in the stands. But in the end, more than 55,000 people came, many of whom only quickly scurried through the entrance controls shortly before kick-off.
However, that will hardly work in the Champions League game between Barcelona and Frankfurt. The host has already announced that extreme personal controls are planned. Specifically, name and facial checks could take place by comparing them with an identifying ID before entering the Camp Nou, “to rule out any signs of illegal ticket purchase.”
Barcelona announces extreme Personal checks to
Because the renovation work is far from complete, the capacity of the legendary venue is only 45,401 seats. The entire third tier is still under construction, the roof is missing, and construction cranes dominate the backdrop. It is the first international game in the partially renovated football temple with cult status. Access to the home areas is only possible via your own member app, where the digital member card is also stored.
“Exceptionally, for this match, tickets are non-transferable; therefore any transfers made will be invalid”the club announced and called for: “We want to make our stadium a fortress for our own fans.” Especially since Barcelona after the clear defeat in the premier class on the fifth matchday of the league phase Chelsea FC (0:3) is also under pressure. Seven points is a balance that can be improved.
The invasion by Frankfurt fans in 2022 is having an impact
The precautionary measures when it comes to ticketing naturally have a background: on April 14, 2022, the Eintracht Frankfurt supporters flooded the traditional venue with more than 30,000 fans. The eagle bearers had stocked up on tickets for the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals through all possible channels. Everyone at the Catalans underestimated the danger of the Hessian superiority in the stands, which would be transferred to the pitch.
Frankfurt fans at the Euzropa League quarter-finals in April 2022
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, the foundation finally seemed to have been laid for progress in a competition that was not given the highest priority anyway. With the special support, Eintracht celebrated a sensational 3-2 away win.
Because of the supporters dressed entirely in white, Eintracht had become the “Bestia Blanca”, the white beast. And the accusations that even Xavi Hernandez, then Barça coach, directed at his own bosses were correspondingly large. “This is a planning error. The team also wants to know what happened. We want an explanation”
capacity should end up being 105,000
Now you want to take precautions. “This decision was taken to ensure the safety of Barça fans and prevent a repeat of the situation of April 2022”wrote the club, which had actually planned the return to the Camp Nou much earlier. It was only on November 22nd that coach Hansi Flick’s team celebrated the reopening of everyday league life with a 4-0 win against Athletic Bilbao.
By the end of the year there could be an opening phase “1C” with 60,000 visitors allowed. In two or three years – the exact date is uncertain due to the complicated roof work – the planned 105,000 spectators will finally be able to be accommodated in one of the most modern stadiums in the world. There is talk of “Camp Wow”. In truth, Spotify has already bought in as the namesake.
Lionel Messi was already at the construction site
The Olympic Stadium on the Montjuic hill served as an alternative location for photos, but the outdated infrastructure and poor public connections were a nuisance for many Barca fans. And why did Lionel Messi of all people pay a nightly visit to this mystical place almost a month ago? The club icon was let in by security forces to look around the construction site. “Last night I returned to a place that I miss with all my heart”wrote the global star.
The financial excesses that continue to put a heavy financial burden on the club today stem from his active time at Barcelona. Arch-rival Real Madrid cleverly used the Corona phase to extensively renovate the Estadio Bernabeu. The lavishly renovated jewelry temple of the “Royal” in the middle of the city center already offers all the luxury.
Three first-class temples for the 2030 World Cup
Atletico Madrid also enjoys very similar advantages with the Metropolitano, which has more than 70,000 seats and was selected by UEFA as the venue for the 2027 Champions League final. With the magnificent arenas in Madrid and soon Barcelona, Spain has created the conditions to be considered as the venue for important matches in the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly with Portugal and Morocco.
At the same time, ticket revenue can also be generated that even Bundesliga teams like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund dream of. In Barcelona, even against Bilbao, the cheapest ticket in advance cost 199 euros. In the medium term, the club, like Real Madrid, plans to generate revenue of 350 and 400 million euros only from the spectator sector.
Perhaps there will be more to come if women’s football attracts crowds more often. However, Real Madrid will again play its home game against VfL Wolfsburg at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano on matchday five of the Women’s Champions League (Tuesday 9 p.m.), and Atletico Madrid will also remain at their own training ground against FC Bayern (Wednesday 9 p.m.). The door to the big stadiums remains (still) closed, although it recently worked so well to attract a big crowd to the Metropolitano against Giulia Gwinn, Klara Bühl and Co.