It’s 30 years since Barcelona hosted the hugely successful 1992 Summer Olympic games which transformed the fortunes of the city. The main stadium used for the events where British athlete Linford Christie won gold in the 100 metres and his compatriot Derek Redmond pulled up in the 400 metres but iconically hobbled to complete the race assisted by his father, is back in the news.
Barcelona will play their home games in the 2023-24 season in the venue known to the world as the Olympic Stadium but to Catalans as Montjuic. Barca’s usual 99,000 capacity Camp Nou home, which has been showing its age, will be redeveloped, covered and expanded into a 110,000-seat stadium – the biggest in the world used by a major football team.
Montjuic seats half that amount, but Barca were fortunate to have it as an option, although they did consider expanding their 6,000 capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium which is used by their reserve and women’s team. The club estimates that it will cost between €15-20 million to bring Montjuic up to the level needed to stage major football matches, though it successfully staged Espanyol’s home games between 1997-2009.
Espanyol fans never loved their temporary home, with its running track on top of the Montjuic. They felt it was cold, especially when half full, with the pitch too far from the stands, but it should be full for every Barca league game.
Montjuic has seldom been loved by the public, but it occupies a prestigious site overlooking Barcelona on one side and the Mediterranean sea on the other.
Barcelona stadium to be renamed Spotify Camp Nou
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Barcelona supporters wearing Lionel Messi shirts watch the game from the stands during the Liga match between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou on March 8, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. Getty Images -
Photographers gather around the halfway line as Johan Cruyff waves farewell to the fans before his final game for Barcelona against former club Ajax on 28th May 1978 at the Camp Nou football stadium in Barcelona, Spain. Getty Images -
Diego Armando Maradona, Allan Simonsen and Bernd Schuster, at the presentation of the Barcelona squad for the 1982-1983 season, held at the Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain, on July 28, 1982. Getty Images -
Thousands of balloons are released at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, at the start of the Fifa World Cup, 14th June 1982. Getty Images -
Steve Bruce leads Manchester United onto the pitch before the European Cup match against Barcelona at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, 1994. Barcelona won the match 4-0. Getty Images -
Bobby Robson is presented as the Barcelona manager in 1996 at the Camp Nou Stadium. Getty Images -
Manchester United fans celebrate victory in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in the Camp Nou Stadium in 1999. Getty Images -
Ronaldinho waves to the fans inside Camp Nou during his unveiling as a Barcelona player on July 21, 2003. Getty Images -
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard speaks with World Selection Team's coach Johan Cruyff before a friendly football match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, 30 November 2004. AFP -
Barcelona supporters display a huge banner inside Camp Nou to thank Xavi Hernandez for his career. EPA -
Fans pay homage inside Camp Nou to Johan Cruyff, prior to the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid. EPA -
Catalan Pro-Independence flags are waved inside the Camp Nou as Lionel Messi plays in a match between Barcelona and Eibar on September 19, 2017. Getty Images -
Fans pay tribute to midfielder Andres Iniesta during his last game for Barcelona, prior the Liga match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou stadium in Madrid, Spain, 20 May 2018. EPA -
Barcelona fans show their support prior to the Liga match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou on May 6, 2018. Getty Images -
General view of the Camp Nou stadium before the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, in Barcelona, Spain, 06 April 2019. EPA -
A general view of the tifo display before the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Barcelona and Liverpool at the Nou Camp on May 01, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. Getty Images -
View of the facade of Camp Nou stadium picturing a collage of Barcelona players Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Frenkie De Jong, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Antoine Griezmann, made with photos shared by fans from worldwide. EPA -
A general view outside the Camp Nou stadium prior to the Liga match between Barcelona and Valencia on December 19, 2020. Getty Images -
General view of the action during the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou on October 24, 2021. Getty Images -
A fan waves a Barcelona flag as he arrives at the Camp Nou stadium prior to the Champions League match between Barcelona and Dinamo Kiev on October 20, 2021. Getty Images
The stadium was built to be the main stadium of Spain under the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera. Opened for the 1929 International Exhibition and the centrepiece of an unsuccessful Olympic bid in 1936 (Berlin staged those games), the stadium hosted several cup finals but it remained underused and it fell into a state of gradual disrepair.
Barcelona’s triumphant 1992 Olympic games was its saviour. Only the shell was retained and the inside rebuilt and filled with seats. The 18,000-capacity Palau St Jordi and Olympic swimming pool, with a stunning view over Barcelona, were built nearby in an area known as the Olympic Ring. The area remains popular with the tourists who’ve made Barcelona one of the most popular cities in Europe to visit.
Barca’s average crowds of 75,000 before covid will struggle to be accommodated within Montjuic’s 55,000 seats, but staying at Camp Nou, where work will begin this summer, was impossible.
The club will only leave for one season of the remodelling of Camp Nou, which is set to be fully ready for the start of the 2025-26 term. Rivals Real Madrid left the Bernabeu for a season while their own home was rebuilt, a project that make the home of the European champions arguably the best stadium in football.
Some Barca fans will miss out on watching their temporary team in the stadium where Lionel Messi made his competitive debut in a Catalan derby against Espanyol in 2004, with president Joan Laporta saying: “All members and season ticket holders who want to come to the stadium will be able to do so by means of a democratic system on a rotation basis so that as many people as possible get the chance to be here at the Olympic Stadium.”
After several false starts, fans will want to first see construction start at Camp Nou, soon to be known as Spotify Camp Nou, though Barca now have funding for the project via a separate mortgage.
Barca 2021-22 season ratings
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BARCELONA RATINGS: GOALKEEPER: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 7 - The German, 30, played in 35 of Barça’s 38 league games and, after doing the same for the last couple of terms, is the undisputed number one at the club he’s been at since 2014. A rare mainstay in a much-changed side, but it was still a shock to see him floundering as his compatriots from Eintracht Frankfurt knocked Barça out of the Europa League at Camp Nou. EPA -
DEFENDERS: Sergino Dest 5 - The American, 21, started 17 games last season – down on last term. Ten of those starts were in Barça’s first 12 fraught league games. Injuries, the arrival of Xavi and the return of Dani Alves limited his performances in the second half of the season. He’s talented and young enough to improve a lot – especially his crossing and defending. He’ll need to if he’s to make the right-back position his own. Getty Images -
Gerard Pique 7 - He’s 35 and remains as important to Barcelona as he ever was, in part because he’s a mainstay in a central defence which has seen a lot of changes around him. He’s the one who drives the team, who pushes most for equalisers, who the fans listen to for an alternative view to the one his employers put out. He’s upped that since Messi left. Reuters -
Ronald Araujo 8 - Superb season for the Uruguayan, 23, who has become a cult hero among fans who sing his name every game. He’s a hard, strong central defender who started 25 league games. Excellent in the air, at tackling and a threat when he goes forward, there was delight when he recently signed a contract until 2026. Scored in big games against Sevilla and Atletico Madrid last season too. Getty Images -
Oscar Mingueza 5 - Started only nine league games and played out of his preferred central defence position on the right. He’s 23, he doesn’t look like he’s in the idealised XI of many fans and Kostic’s shot going through his legs as Eintracht took Barça apart in Camp Nou was not a pretty sight, but Barça need a squad and he’s a useful part of it. AP Photo -
Dani Alves 6 - Brought back at the age of 38, he was a Xavi ally on the pitch and in the dressing room. He’s not the one-man right wing he was, but he performed adequately in his 13 league starts in 2022 and contributed with three assists. That the Brazilian can still play at this level at 39 is to his credit. Getty Images -
Jordi Alba 5 - Part of the old guard, he often has more touches per game than any other player on the pitch. The link up with his perfect foil Messi has now gone, but he still made 10 assists for league goals and he’s still first choice left-back. AFP -
Eric Garcia 6 - Still finding his feet and at 21, that’s natural. The move from Manchester City hasn’t fully convinced, he can look shaky and composed in the same game and he’s not been short of critics, but Spain boss Luis Enrique said of him this week: “Eric is a marvellous player, the criticism is unjust, as long as I’m coach and he keeps playing like this he’ll stay with the national team.” Getty Images -
Clement Lenglet 4 - The French central defender started only seven league games and came on in 14 more. Too many mistakes, too many bookings, but he started Barça’s final games of the season so that maybe an indication of Xavi’s thinking. Better in Europe, though. He’d be sold if a decent offer came in for the player who cost €35 million from Sevilla in 2018. AFP -
Samuel Umtiti NA - One start and he’s the player Barça have most wanted to get off their books. At his best, he established himself as a starter alongside Pique in 2016/17. He was a World Cup winner with France but his knee injury – and the way he chose not to have an operation, frustrated fans. Injury-plagued (he missed three months of this season with a fractured toe) and likely to be moved on if Barça can find a taker. EPA -
MIDFIELDERS: Frenkie de Jong 7 - Started 30 league matches, plus another 12 in Europe where he performed better. The Dutchman, 25, has yet to fulfil his huge €75 million transfer fee - though he’s played in troubled times. His manager likes him and he’s better with Busquets behind him, yet that’s also the role he covets most – he wants to be the first player to get the ball from the defenders. A super passer not afraid to dribble past an opponent, his through balls can split defences. Linked with a move away. Getty Images -
Pedri 6 - After playing non-stop for club and country in 20-21, the Canarian, still only 19, was limited to only 10 league starts in 21-22. Twice he had a hamstring injury, missing the first half of the season and the last eight league games. He shoots, he passes well, he defends, he has the potential to be one of the best players in the world. Xavi hopes he will be a key man again next season. Reuters -
Gavi 9 - Seventeen and superb, the breakthrough star of the season started 28 league games and came on in six more. The midfielder gets stuck in and isn’t averse to a yellow card, but given he has also become an important part of Luis Enrique’s Spain side, he was as overused in 21-22 as Pedri was the previous season. Looks like he has the talent to play at the top level and his through balls are shaping up to be as effective as Iniesta’s, but needs more discipline. Getty Images -
Sergio Busquets 7 - Played 3,202 league minutes last season, far more than any other Barça player. The defensive midfielder, 33, brings balance, experience and muscle to the side (none could match his 12 yellow cards). He’s still performing, still protecting a defence which needs protecting, still the first name on the team sheet. Getty Images -
Nico 6 - Son of former Deportivo La Coruna great Fran, Nico, 20, doesn’t have the same technical level as fellow young Spanish midfielders Pedri and Gavi. Failed to shine when he started seven consecutive league games in the autumn – Barça won only two of them – but the central midfielder is valued at Camp Nou. A big lad who should be better in the air, he’s still improving. Getty Images -
Riqui Puig 5 - Adored by Barça’s online fans who can’t understand why the La Masia graduate doesn’t get more opportunities; ignored by the coaches who are paid to manage FC Barcelona. The skilful, diminutive, central midfielder, 22, started only two league games. Needs to be playing more football, even if away from Camp Nou. AP Photo -
FORWARDS: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 8 - A big success after signing from Arsenal in February, the 32-year-old has long wanted to play for Barcelona and his family have long lived near the city. That’s a model Barça have to persist with since they don’t have the finances they once did. Scored a stunning hat-trick in a 4-1 away win at Valencia, then scored twice in a 4-0 away win at Real Madrid – by a distance Barça’s best result and performance of the season. Getty Images -
Luuk de Jong 9 - Derided as not being Barça class, as being a cut-price option for a desperate club cutting costs, he had more doubters than any of his teammates after arriving from Sevilla at the start of the season. And how he proved them wrong. The Dutchman was always a backup striker and started only six games, coming on in 15 more. Yet he scored six goals in his 643 league minutes. He’s versatile, better than any Barça player in the air, he lays the ball off well and draws in defenders. Super sub. AP Photo -
Ousmane Dembele 6 - Linked with a move away and the expensive Frenchman may yet leave. He was strongly criticised by fans and even club insiders after refusing to sign a contract. Started 15 league games and came on in six more. Scored only once, yet made an astonishing 13 assists, more than any other player. He’s one of the few players to get the crowd off their seats, to try and beat an opponent. It doesn’t always come off and that frustrates some fans used to more measured build up, but he’s box office on the pitch. Getty Images -
Ansu Fati 5 - Another big teen talent, 19, but one who barely played because of a knee and then hamstring injury. He returned to the delight of the crowd at home to Mallorca in May and featured in Barça’s final five games of the season, playing on the left. Star potential – as he showed with a header against Real Madrid in the Super Cup which signalled the Catalans re-birth under Xavi. Getty Images -
Ferran Torres 5 - Signed from Manchester City, his four goals (and four assists) in 1,417 league minutes was disappointing. He’s scored two in one game for City against Arsenal in August before his January move. He got another two in a March home win against Osasuna, but he was profligate elsewhere and needs consistency. Selfless, hard-working, supported by the crowd, versatile – but he needs to sharpen up in front of goal. AFP -
Adama Traore 6 - Four league starts from when his loan move from Wolves started in January until the end of the season. Fast, strong, direct, the boy from Barcelona didn’t do enough for his team to make a serious push to sign him. Getty Images -
Memphis Depay 7 - Given the small task of replacing Lionel Messi at the start of the season, he played well and scored in eight of Barça’s first 15 league games in a struggling side. But no goals or assists in six Champions League group games was one reason Barça didn’t advance. A hamstring and then Achilles injury disrupted his season before he came back into the starting XI at the close. Reuters
