Barcelona is preparing changes around Camp Nou. The city and the club aim to better manage fan movement and reduce safety and public order issues, especially during international matches that increasingly put pressure on the city center.

Club’s role in managing safety around Camp Nou

One of the key elements of the plan is a greater involvement of FC Barcelona in managing fan movement and event organization. The city expects the club to co-develop a preventive system that will allow better control over the flow of visiting supporters. The aim is to designate dedicated routes for away fans and introduce mechanisms to reduce large gatherings in the most sensitive areas of the city.

The biggest challenges are recorded in central districts such as Ciutat Vella and Les Corts, the immediate surroundings of Spotify Camp Nou. These areas see the highest concentration of fans, particularly before and after matches. The issue becomes more pronounced during international fixtures.

One example was the visit of several thousand Newcastle United supporters, who travelled to Barcelona for a European competition match. A significant number of them did not have tickets, which resulted in a massive presence in public spaces—especially around La Rambla and Plaça Reial. As a result, residents complained about noise, littering and disruptions to daily life.

© FC Barcelona | Barcelona plans to improve crowd control around Camp Nou by introducing dedicated routes for fans and new organizational measures with the club’s involvement.

Safety around Camp Nou – new infrastructure measures

As part of the plan, the city intends to implement specific infrastructure solutions. These include the installation of vehicle traffic monitoring systems around the stadium and the redesign of selected transport routes. There are also plans to widen pavements near Camp Nou, improving pedestrian flow and increasing safety during peak crowd periods.

One of the more controversial elements is cooperation with local bars and restaurants. City authorities have reached agreements with some businesses to limit the sale of alcohol in glass containers on matchdays. The aim is to prevent bottles from being used as dangerous objects in case of disturbances. At the same time, there are claims that some venues intentionally boost alcohol sales on matchdays, which further intensifies the problem.

© Dani Pardo "Cosas cotidianas" | The city is preparing infrastructure changes, including traffic monitoring, wider walkways, and restrictions on alcohol sales to enhance matchday safety.

New preventive measures in Barcelona – protecting residents and tourists

An important part of the strategy is the creation of so-called safe mobility corridors for residents and people with reduced mobility. These are intended to ensure free movement across the city regardless of the scale of the sporting event. The plan also includes measures to limit negative behaviors such as public drinking, excessive noise and littering in streets and public squares.

City authorities are also considering launching a broad information campaign targeting tourists and fans before they arrive. Airlines, the airport and the hospitality sector are expected to be involved. The goal is to communicate basic rules applicable in the city and raise awareness of the consequences of violating them. Information will be available in digital formats, including QR codes.

Barcelona officials emphasize that hosting major sporting events always comes with a certain level of inconvenience for residents. At the same time, they note that serious incidents have largely been avoided so far. The new plan, however, aims to introduce more structured and long-term solutions to better manage the influx of fans and reduce the negative impact of sporting events on city life.