Barçaâs former pitch, Les Corts, had a capacity of just 48,000, which was insufficient to accommodate the demand produced by a squad captained by Hungarian star Ladislao Kubala, necessitating the construction of a new stadium.
The stadium was built from 1955 to 1957 out of mostly concrete and iron and was planned by architects Francesc Mitjans MirĂł and Josep Soteras Mauri with the help of Lorenzo Garca BarbĂłn. The club would be deeply in debt for the foreseeable future because the total cost of the project was 288 million pesetas.
Even though it was officially christened âEstadi del FC Barcelona,â fans quickly began referring to it as âCamp Nouâ (the ânew groundâ) to distinguish it from the clubâs previous home, Les Corts. âCamp Nouâ was officially adopted as the stadiumâs moniker in the 2000/2001 season, when the membership of the club voted on the matter by postal ballot. Out of a total of 29,102 votes cast, 19,861 (68.25%) said that they would rather watch games at Camp Nou rather than at Estadi del FC Barcelona.
The stadium measures 250 meters in length and 220 meters in width, with a maximum height of 48 meters. The field dimensions of 105 meters by 68 meters have been reduced to meet UEFA regulations.
The stadiumâs capacity of 99,354 makes it the largest in all of Europe. The overall capacity, however, has changed throughout time as a result of various adjustments. It debuted in 1957 with a capacity of 93,053 and was expanded to 120,000 for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. In the late 1990s, the stadiumâs capacity was lowered to below 99,000 due to new restrictions prohibiting standing areas.
Camp Nouâs services and amenities were recognized by UEFA with a five-star rating for the 1998â1999 season. Stadiums like FC Barcelonaâs home field, which meet the most stringent standards in terms of infrastructure, services, and capacity, were reclassified as âCategory 4â in 2010 in accordance with new UEFA regulations.
Notable features inside the stadium include a chapel near the locker rooms, a presidential box, a VIP lounge, press rooms, several television studios, a sports medicine center, an operational control unit (UCO), an area for veteran players, a museum dedicated to FC Barcelona, and offices for the clubâs many divisions.
Highlights of Spotify Camp Nouâs History
Camp Nou, located in the Les Corts neighborhood of Barcelona, first hosted matches between Barça against a Warsaw XI, Flamengo, Burnley, and Borussia Dortmund 66 years ago.
A lot of time has passed since then. In 1960, they made history by eliminating Real Madrid, a five-time defending champion, from the European Cup. Cruyff arrived a decade later and forever altered the course of the clubâs history with his amazing acrobatic goal against Atletico Madrid in 1973.
The celebrations following Sergi Robertoâs victory against Milan in 2013 and Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 were so loud that they were recorded as a mini-earthquake. Other examples of dramatic comebacks in Europe include the 1979 and 1986 matches against Anderlecht and Goteborg, respectively.
But it hasnât always been sunshine and roses. After referee Emilio Carlos Guruceta gave Madrid a penalty in 1970, fans began throwing their seat cushions onto the field as a form of protest. After Luis Figo abandoned the club to play for their archrivals in the Clasico, Madrid fans threw items at him, including a pigâs skull, during a match in 2002.
Recent history at Camp Nou includes Messiâs dominance, a manita (a five-goal triumph) versus Madrid in 2010, Pep Guardiolaâs years as a coach and then the coachâs return as Bayern Munich manager in 2015, and last yearâs two games that smashed the attendance record for womenâs football. As of their semifinal match versus Wolfsburg in the UEFA Womenâs Champions League, the record attendance was 91,648.
There have also been non-Barca-related occurrences. Camp Nou hosted the first game of the 1982 World Cup and the 1992 Olympic Games menâs football final. It was also the scene of the 1999 Champions League final, in which Manchester United staged a spectacular comeback against Bayern Munich to win the game and become the first English team to win the Treble.
When to visit Spotify Camp Nou
Spotify Camp Nou is a popular destination for tourists in Barcelona. The Spotify Camp Nou schedule varies with the seasons, but the stadium is always accessible. If possible, you should plan to arrive at the landmark shortly after it opens.
The stadium is most accessible throughout the week for tours. Try not to go there on weekends, during games, or during limited hours. Some venues, such as the museum, close early on match days. During UEFA Champions League matches, the stadium will be off-limits to the general public.
Tour times of Spotifyâs Camp Nou stadium may vary throughout the football season. Avoid purchasing tickets between April and October, as this is the busiest time of the year for football.
The Trophy Museum, the Players Tunnel, and the turf may all have limited hours or wait times during peak season. The stadium will likely be quite crowded on major holidays like Christmas and New Yearâs. Spotify Camp Nou is best visited between November and March, off of Barcelonaâs busy tourist season (May and June).
Conclusion
The world-famous Spanish football team FC Barcelona plays their home games at Spotify Camp Nou. The Spotify Camp Nou stadium, which opened in 1957, is the largest in Spain and Europe, with a capacity of more than 99,000.
