Due to the Camp Nou renovation, FC Barcelona will play its home matches at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc during the 2023-2024 season.
The 2023-24 season will be unusual for Barça as it cannot host its Liga, Copa del Rey, or Champions League games at Camp Nou. The club plans to refurbish the stadium and reopen it in 2026, though the home games for the 2023-24 campaign will take place away from the Camp Nou with limited capacity at times. Before and after the works, matches will be held at Camp Nou when possible, albeit with restricted attendance.
On March 30, 2023, Barça formally informed the federation that Montjuïc Stadium would host the team next season. This decision aligns with ongoing negotiations for a financing package around 1.5 billion euros to fund the Espai Barça project, the Camp Nou refurbishment, and surrounding developments. Once the loan is secured, Barcelona intends to begin work this summer.
Here is a practical guide to the temporary home Barça will have during the 2023-24 academic year. It covers the cost of renting the Montjuïc venue, entry details, its history, location, and capacity, along with other useful information about the arrangements for the season.
History and location of the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium
The Montjuïc Olympic Stadium, officially named the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, is a municipal sports complex perched on Montjuïc hill in Barcelona’s Sants-Montjuïc district. The original structure was built in 1927 and inaugurated in May 1929, one day after the International Exhibition opened, by King Alfonso XIII.
During the 1992 Summer Games, the Estadi Olímpic hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, athletics events, and the final segments of the marathon and race-walking competitions. The current facility is the result of transforming the old stadium, initially designed by Pere Domènech i Roure in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exhibition. The renovation preserved the building’s historic exterior while rebuilding the interior to boost capacity and service quality for high-level competition, turning it into the centerpiece of the Anella Olímpica on Montjuïc.
In 1955, the stadium served as the main venue for the II Mediterranean Games, after which it fell into a period of reduced use until a new rebuilding phase began. In 2001, the facility was renamed Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, in tribute to the president of the Generalitat who was executed during the Franco regime. From 1997 to 2009, it was commonly used by RCD Espanyol de Barcelona. Notably, Lionel Messi made his official Barça debut here at age 17 against Espanyol.
The day several years ago when Messi first wore the Barça jersey is remembered by many fans as a turning point in the club’s modern history. The moment, documented by sports outlets, highlighted the young star’s arrival at the top level (Messi’s official debut against Espanyol at Montjuïc, 0-1).
In 2010, the stadium hosted the 20th European Athletics Championships, after which it underwent further improvements to meet elite standards and maintain UEFA’s five-star rating for the pitch at major football events.
How much does Barcelona pay to use the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium?
Barça will pay between 15 and 20 million euros for the Montjuïc tenancy during the 2023-24 season. The club will balance rental costs with the renovation schedule, ensuring that the move does not incur excessive expenses while Camp Nou is upgraded.
What capacity does the Montjuïc Stadium offer?
The club will be able to use Montjuïc from August 2023 through May 2024, with a seating capacity of around 55,000 spectators. Initially there were no plans to install additional stands, so the 55,000 seats would be used, with some rotation of attendance among season-ticket holders who would otherwise fill Camp Nou. This capacity could be higher for concerts or non-football events that utilize space on the field.
Public access to Montjuïc Olympic Stadium
To ensure smooth public access, the city council and Barça have coordinated a mobility plan that bolsters public transport and sustainable travel. They have prepared enhanced maintenance and security measures to minimize the impact on the Montjuïc area. The related costs, totaling about 7.2 million euros, will be split with Barça covering 64% and the city council 36%. The municipal portion funds lasting improvements on the hill.
How to reach the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium
By car
Private vehicles should use the access point via C/ del Foc for entry to the Estadi Olímpic and the venue offers ample parking.
By metro
Lines L1 and L3 serve the nearby Espanya station, while FGC lines L8, S33, S4, S8, R5, R50, R6, and R60 provide convenient connections.
By bus
Several routes serve the area from Plaça Espanya and nearby stops, including routes 150, 13, and 55, with additional lines stopping at Espanya and the Olympic Ring. Tourist buses and guided tours also operate in the area.
Montjuïc funicular connects to metro lines L3 and L2 and requires a short walk from the station. For pedestrians, escalators from Plaça Espanya provide access from Avinguda Maria Cristina to Avinguda de l’Estadi.
Occasions for the Montjuïc Stadium use
The primary use during the season will be for the men’s first team matches and related pre- and post-match activities. Barça will also reserve some time for training sessions and other sporting events, including matches involving the women’s team, which previously played Champions League fixtures at Camp Nou in 2021-2022.
How long will Barcelona play at Montjuïc?
Initial forecasts pointed to a late-2025 completion for Camp Nou, but the inauguration was delayed by one or two quarters. As a result, the club is expected to finish the renovations in 2026. That does not mean Barça will be locked to Montjuïc for the entire period. The club will relocate to Montjuïc only for the 2023-2024 season and will return to Camp Nou with certain sections unavailable for renovation during the 2023-24 season.
During the 2022/23 campaign, Camp Nou operated with minimal disruption to players and fans. Club president Joan Laporta stated in April that capacity would approach 100 percent, though some limits might occur in the first and second tiers during construction.
Source: Goal