History and description

Camp Nou was built in 1954 and officially opened on the 24th of September 1957 with a match between FC Barcelona and a selection of players from the city of Warsaw. The new stadium has been built to replace the previous ground, Camp de les Corts, which was still too small for the growing support of the club.

Originally, Camp Nou could accommodate 93,000 spectators on two tiers. It was eventually dubbed "Estadi del FC Barcelona" and quickly became known as such.

The stadium was used as a venue for the Euro 1964 Championships. It hosted the semi-final between the Soviet Union and Denmark (3-0), and the match for third place between Hungary and Denmark (3-1).

The stadium hosted the 1972 and 1982 Cup Winners' Cup finals.

The Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain got expanded with a third tier for the 1982 World Cup, which raised the capacity to 120,000 places. During the World Cup, it hosted the opening match between Belgium and Argentina (1-0), three matches in the second group stage, and the semi-final between Italy and Poland (2-0).

In 1989, the European Cup final between AC Milan and FC Steaua was held at Camp Nou. In 1999, the Champions League final between Manchester United and FC Bayern was held at the same venue.

Beginning in the early 1990s, Barcelona started converting various standing areas into seating in order to reduce capacity. This resulted in the creation of additional seats by lowering the pitch.

Up until the late 1990s, Camp Nou still had some standing areas at the top of the third tier, but these were eventually eliminated, reducing capacity to just below 100,000.

Barcelona have been investigating either redeveloping Camp Nou or even building a new stadium for the last decade, in contrast to the Bernabéu, which has changed relatively little since its inauguration and lacks many of the modern facilities common in most stadiums these days.

In the mid 2000s, the club presented plans for a renovated Camp Nou, designed by Norman Foster. However, lack of funding prevented realisation. The club next started studying a move to a new stadium, but finally decided in 2014 to redevelop the current stadium.

A slightly higher capacity is planned for the stadium which will be over 105,000 seats. Works are planned to start in 2017 and gradually performed over four seasons to finish in 2021.

(photos of the present Camp Nou below)

How to get to Camp Nou

The Camp Nou stadium is located in east Barcelona, about 5 km from the historic city center. The stadium is part of a sports complex that also includes Barcelona's Mini Estadi. The stadium is easily accessible by metro. Numerous stations are located close to the stadium and from all of them it takes an approximate 10-minute walk to reach the stadium.

From the city centre of Barcelona, one can take metro line 3. Take the metro in the direction of Zona Universitària and get off at station Les Corts. The next two stations, Maria Cristina and Palau Reial, are equal alternatives. The journey from the centre takes about 25 minutes.

From there, take the metro line 4 to Sagrada Familia. From the area around the Sagrada Familia, one can take metro line 5. Take the metro in the direction of Cornellà Centre and get off at station Badal or Collblanc. From there, take the metro line 4 to Sagrada Familia.

Following the bend to the left, turn right onto the Gran Via de Carlos III. Follow for a few hundred metres and turn right onto the Travesía de las Cortes. After another few hundred metres you will see the stadium on your right.

If coming from the B-2 (east), take the A-23 into the city. Both routes will automatically flow into the Avenida Diagonal.

Address: Calle Arístides Mallol 12, 08028 Barcelona

Eat, drink, and sleep near Camp Nou

Camp Nou is located in a dense urban area, and one can find the typical local Spanish restaurants near the stadium. The available options appear to be scant in comparison to what is located just a short metro ride away in the centre. The majority of eating and drinking within Barcelona can be found concentrated within the historic centre (Gothic Quarter, El Born, and Raval), and there is more nightlife located nearby on the beach and port areas.

There is a wide selection of hotels, hostels, and rental apartments in the vicinity of Camp Nou. Most are tourist hotels typical of the area and reasonably affordable.

The Hotel NH Rallye overlooks the stadium and is generally well-reviewed. Hotel Madanis and Hotel Madanis Liceo are both in a similar price range, between ?60.00 and ?80.00 per night. Hotel Catalonia Rigoletto and Princesa Sofia Gran Hotel are more luxurious alternatives, whereas Hotel L?Alguer is somewhat more basic, and is therefore cheaper.

For a comprehensive list of hotels near Camp Nou, as well as those near Plaça d?Espanya, which is on both metro lines 3 and 5, and in the historic centre of Barcelona, please click here.

FC Barcelona Tickets

Tickets for Barcelona games can be bought online, through the official website or Ticketmaster, at the ticket windows of Camp Nou, or through any of the other sales outlets, which include the local tourist offices and club stores. There are club stores on Provença Street near the Sagrada Familia, on Plaça de Catalunya, and Maremagnum shopping center in Barcelona's city center. If tickets remain, these can be bought at the ticket windows of the stadium on the day of the match. Barcelona typically sell out very few games per season, and El Clasico is usually one of them.

Various websites such as viagogo and Ticketbis offer a variety of ticket options. Prices are usually high, but can be cheaper than buying tickets directly from the venues. Prices for regular matches tend to be more competitive than face value, making Ticketbis an excellent option for those looking to save money.

ticket prices vary depending on the opponent, with Barcelona generally dividing their home matches into multiple different pricing categories. For a typical game, expect to pay between ?50.00 and ?70.00 for a top tier seat behind the goal, between ?60.00 and ?110.00 for a lower tier seat behind the goal or upper tier seat on the long sides, and between ?110.00 and ?200.00 for the better seats on the sides.

Prices for some games will be even higher than others, including El Clasico and later stage Champions League games and Copa del Rey games. Some prices will be lower for a few low-profile games.

Camp Nou stadium tours

The Camp Nou Experience provides visitors with a guided tour of the stadium, including access to the museum. Guides are available for an additional fee, and the experience can typically take between 90 and 120 minutes. The tour opens at 10 am on Monday to Saturday and at 2 pm on Sundays.

There are no tours on the day of a match or the day before. Limited access is available on those days. The tour costs $24.50 which includes the museum.

For groups of 20 or more, reservations are required by calling +34 93 496 36 00 (902 1899 00 from Spain) or emailing [email protected]

Relevant Internet links

The official website of FC Barcelona, Barcelonaturisme.com, provides information on tourism in the city. The public transport information site, TMB.cat, provides information on how to get around the city using public transportation. I took a taxi to the game, but finding one after the game was near impossible. Getting a bus was also difficult because of the traffic, so I ended up just walking to the train station (Placa de Sants). Glad I got to experience the Camp Nou, and would recommend it to any football fan, but if I'm ever in Barcelona again I'm definitely more likely to check out an Espanyol game.

I did not feel the same sense of community I have felt at most stadiums I have been to in the United Kingdom. The fan support seemed kind of phony. The woman 2 seats over from me fell asleep in the second half.

The only positive thing about the long lines and staff being unyielding was that they were accommodating. They also only served non-alcoholic beer, which is probably a good thing, but I was in the mood for a cerveza!

Getting out to the game was a challenge as I was staying on the other side of the city in El Poblenou. I took a taxi to the game, but getting one after was near impossible. Getting a bus was also difficult because of the traffic, so I ended up just walking to the train station (Placa de Sants).

I am glad I was able to experience the Camp Nou, and I would recommend it to any football fan. However, if I am ever in Barcelona again, I may prefer to check out an Espanyol game.

Despite Barcelona winning 5-0, the atmosphere at the stadium was not particularly enthusiastic from the home fans. I would recommend a visit to the stadium as an experience, but wouldn't want to watch football there every week!

Despite Barcelona winning 5-0 the atmosphere at the stadium was not very good from the home fans. I would recommend a visit to the stadium as an experience, but wouldn't want to watch football here every week!

I inserted my card on the debit machine, but have never entered my PIN number because I realised I had enough cash. It is 3 am and I will call my bank in the morning to dispute this transaction. I am calling for the management to look into this incident.

I have inserted my card on the debit machine, but never enter my PIN number since I realised I have enough cash. It is 3am and I will call my bank in the morning to dispute this transaction. I am calling for the management to look into this incident.

Bongo attended the Bilbao vs Barcelona football match last week and was thrilled with the Barca victory (6-0). However, he was disappointed with the way the referee handled an incident in which a Bilbao goalkeeper was sent off. This would have made for a more exciting game, but Bongo enjoyed everything else about the visit - the game itself and the city itself. He would advise other tourists to pay to sit in the middle section of a stadium in order to get closer to the action.

I went to watch Barcelona vs. Bilbao last week and the result was a 6-0 victory for Barcelona. It was great to see, but the ref ruined it by sending Bilbao goalkeeper off just before the end of the game. I would have liked to see a game that wasn't so one-sided, but still amazing. I had a great time from the tour of the museum, watching the game itself and also from being in the city itself. I was sat right at the back by the corner flag just on the edge of lateral/goal Sud (53 euro) – great view of the stadium, but too far from the action. The players looked like ants from where I was sitting! Lessons learned next time: I'll pay extra to sit in the middle section of the stadium rather than at the back.

Gavin Roger wrote: 4 September 2015 at 7:57 PM I have been to a game there once and it was an experience to watch a game there. However, the stadium is old and antiquated and needs revamped.

The stadium has been once and it is an experience to watch a game there. However, the stadium is old and antiquated and needs to be revamped.

I am not a Barcelona fan, I am an Everton fan. However, I am really into Barcelona and went to the camp Nou on the 21st February 2015 for a game against Malaga. The result was disappointing - Barcelona were beaten 1-0 but the stadium overall was great, especially if you are right up in the gods. I went 2 days before the game to have a look around and went into the club shop. Everything about the experience was enjoyable, but the result could have been better.

I am not a Barcelona fan, I am an Everton fan, but I am really into Barcelona. I went to the camp nou on the 21st February 2015 for a game Vs Malaga, and the result was disappointing. Barca were beaten 1-0, but the stadium overall was impressive. Once you get inside of it, it blows you away. I went 2 days before to have a look round the ground and went in the club shop; everything about the experience was enjoyable, but the result could have been better.

I got tickets to watch Barcelona v Ath Madrid on January 11th, 2015. I have never been to a soccer game before and am going with my daughter as she is a fan of the team and some of the players. Can't wait

. I have tickets to watch Barcelona v Ath Madrid on January 11, 2015. I have never been to a game before and am going with my daughter as she is a fan of the team and some of the players. I can't wait to go!

William Hogg writes: October 30, 2014 at 6:48 pm That Barcelona - Standard final was in 1982, not 1980. Just to let you know. The club museum is well worth a visit so that you can better understand the social and political importance of FCB.

That Barca Standard Final of 1982, rather than the 1980 version, was in fact the final. I just wanted you to be aware of this so that you could better understand the social and political importance of FCB. The club museum is well worth a visit to gain a better understanding of the club's significance.

Victor writes: "I can't wait to go see Sevilla play on November 23. I bought my ticket from Ticket Masters for 150 euros. Level 2, Central Supersite." Victor wishes he had waited until the day of the game, but is looking forward to seeing Sevilla play nevertheless.

I am looking forward to going to see Sevilla play on 23 November 2014. I have a ticket from ticket masters for 150 euro. I will be sitting in section 2, seat Sup. Now that the day of the game has drawn near, I wish I had waited until then. I can't wait. Take care football fans.

Some people wearing Valencia shirts sat in the middle of Barcelona fans and it was not a problem at all. I found Barcelona to be a great city to visit. Santiago Bernabeu in my opinion is better stadium, but Barcelona is a better place to go than Madrid.

Some people wearing Valencia shirts sat in the middle of Barcelona fans and it was not a problem at all. I found Barcelona to be a great city to visit. Santiago Bernabeu in my opinion is better stadium, but Barcelona is a better place to go than Madrid.

It seems that Barcelona's recent game against Deportivo was not as important to the public as other games in the season, and there were relatively few spectators in attendance. However, the stadium is quite large and imposing, and it's still a nice place to watch a game. Best of luck to Belgium!

It was not that important of a game anymore for Barcelona, so fewer spectators attended the game at 50D. However, it is also a nice massive stadium. But it is not as nice as the Bernabeau Stadium. From Belgium, best regards.

John Brien wrote: On Friday, myself, Mark, and Johnny flew to Barcelona in hopes of seeing EL CLASICO. As CELTIC fans, we knew it would be a lifetime experience. We left our hotel on Saturday morning wearing our CELTIC Polo shirts and headed to the NOU CAMP in hopes of seeing the match. On our arrival we managed to get three tickets and experienced the game of a lifetime. The Barcelona fans were magnificent with us. Be proud of your SPECIAL CLUB and THANK YOU ALL. HAIL HAIL BARCA.

We, Mark and Johnny, flew to Barcelona on Friday in hope of seeing El Clásico. We knew it would be a lifetime experience, and as we had no tickets, we left our hotel on Saturday morning wearing our Celtic shirts and headed to the Nou Camp. On our arrival, we managed to get three tickets and experienced the game of a lifetime. The Barcelona fans were magnificent with us—they really showed us their respect. Be proud of your SPECIAL CLUB; thank you all for supporting them. HAIL HAIL BARCA!

Jimbo wrote: March 9, 2013 at 4:41 am I visited Barcelona back in the 1970s. At that time, Franco had just died and Juan Carlos was making his first visit as King. The political atmosphere in Barcelona was incredible; it was like a "charge" to see such great soccer game played in an amazing stadium. I remember watching Cruyff and Neeskens play against Atletico Madrid, and it was the greatest soccer game I've ever seen.

I visited Barcelona back in the 1970s. At the time, Franco had just died and King Juan Carlos was making his first visit as monarch. The city was incredibly political with lots of energy. I sat in Barcelona watching Cruyff & Neeskins play Atletico Madrid. The game was absolutely amazing and I was very pleased to witness it.

A must-do for anyone interested in football or even if you're not. Went back the next day and did the stadium tour - well worth it - vast, impressive, a bit shabby but overall awesome! Just do it if you get the chance.

What a marvelous way to spend a Saturday night! I managed to get tickets for Barcelona vs. Real Madrid and watched a spectacular floodlit game amid a 99,000-plus sell-out crowd. A must for anyone who enjoys football - or even if you don't. I went back the next day and did the stadium tour - well worth it - vast, impressive, a bit shabby but overall awesome! Just do it if you get the chance.

The city of Barcelona is a great, vibrant, exciting place to visit. The stadium tour was exceptional, and it was a pleasant change to visit the shopping districts with my girlfriend. I have plenty of pictures in the stadium and also got to have a professional picture taken by the club's photographer with the European Cup! Not to be missed!.

The stadium tour was amazing and a welcome change to visiting the shopping districts with my girlfriend, who also came and enjoyed herself. I have plenty of pictures in the stadium and also got to have a professional picture taken by the club's photographer with the European Cup! Not to be missed!

Jeremy wrote: 15 April 2012 at 10:28pm I visited the Nou Camp in 2003. This was a highlight of my trip to an otherwise boring city. I went to the Nike store and got my shirt printed (very expensive) and did the museum. The stadium itself is massive.

I visited the Nou Camp in 2003. It was an highlight of my trip to an otherwise boring city, and I spent a lot of time at the Nike store and at the museum. The stadium itself is massive!

There are a few companies offering this package, I used Barcelona Ticket Store and have no complaints. As a stadium, its a little shabby around the edges. It clearly needs a bit of a facelift in the concourses, and the atmosphere can be surprisingly quiet at times, but to see the ground full is something else!.

There are a few companies offering this package, I used barcelonaticketstore.com and found no complaints. As a stadium, its a little shabby around the edges. It clearly needs a bit of a facelift in the concourses, and the atmosphere can be surprisingly quiet at times, but to see the ground full is something else!.