According to information from Catalunya Ràdio, during Tuesday’s board meeting, FC Barcelona considered the possibility of hosting El Clásico at Estadi Johan Cruyff, regarded as the gem of Ciutat Esportiva in Sant Joan Despí.

A Clásico with only 16,000 fans?

From the outset, this option faced significant obstacles. The stadium has a very limited capacity of just 6,000 spectators, meaning additional stands would have to be installed to increase the capacity to 16,000. While the Estadi Johan Cruyff, inaugurated in 2019, is technically capable of such an expansion, a major issue arises—UEFA prohibits temporary stands, which means that a potential Champions League semifinal could not be held there. The club is reluctant to risk another stadium change mid-season if neither Spotify Camp Nou nor Montjuïc is available.

FC Barcelona exploring all possibilities

Although Barcelona's leadership officially maintains that Camp Nou will be ready by the first week of May, the fact that alternative venues are being considered suggests doubts and uncertainty within the club. Joan Laporta is well aware that the renovation is a race against time, and the lease agreement for Montjuïc expires at the end of April. Several scenarios have already been analyzed within the club, including playing the match at a high-capacity stadium in Spain, such as La Cartuja, Montilivi, or the nearby Estadio de la Cerámica. There is also the possibility of playing the match outside Spain—in London, Paris, or Marseille.

© frank-jasperneite.de | The stadium of Barcelona B and the women’s team is definitely too small for hosting El Clásico in a way that would generate optimal profits.