Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys – stadium description

Why was Estadi Montjuïc built?

Estadi Montjuïc in Barcelona was designed by Pere Domènech, son of the famous Catalan architect of the modernism period, Lluis Domènech i Montaner. One of the main objectives of the construction was to prepare Barcelona to host the 1929 International Expo.

Construction of the stadium also began in 1927 with a view to hosting the Barcelona Olympic Games. Despite three attempts (in 1920, 1924 and 1936), none of the candidatures were successful. It was only on the fourth attempt, in 1992, that Barcelona fulfilled its dream of hosting the Olympic Games.

The stadium was officially opened on May 20, 1929 with a rugby match between Spain and Italy, three qualifying rounds of the 100 metres run and a football match between the Catalan national team and Bolton Wanderers.

How has the name of Barcelona's Olympic Stadium changed over the years?

Initially, the stadium was called Estadio de Montjuïc. In 1989, the member Olympic was added to the name, transforming it into Estadio Olímpico de Montjuïc. In 2001, the stadium was named after Lluís Companys, a Spanish politician and lawyer who was captured and executed by the Franco regime. This name still functions today.

Where is Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys located?

Barcelona Olympic Stadium is located in the Sants-Montjuïc district, on Montjuïc Hill, within the L'Anella Olímpica de Montjuïc Olympic Park. It is located in the south-east of the city, a short distance from the Catalan beaches and the Castell de Montjuïc castle. The stadium is well connected, with the Barcelona-Terminal F3 train station, the metro and the B-10 bypass nearby.

What did first Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys look like?

The stadium was designed with great attention to detail, with numerous monumental touches such as towers, gates and monuments. The grandstands of the venue were in the shape of two semicircles, connected by straight lines, reminiscent of the Roman constructions of hippodromes and amphitheatres. Inside there was an athletics track and field, oriented on a north-south axis.

The stadium, when completed, could hold 62,728 spectators, making it one of the largest sports venues in the world at the time. The cost of construction was 65 million pesetas.

How was Estadi Montjuïc rebuilt for the 1992 Olympic Games?

On 17 October 1986, Barcelona was chosen to host the 1992 Olympic Games. As the stadium had been unused for many years, modernisation became inevitable. The renovation work took place between 1985 and 1989.

The entire infrastructure of the stadium was comprehensively renovated, its capacity was increased, the turf and athletics track were rebuilt and new double-decker stands were added. The level of the original running track was lowered by 11 metres, and the foundation stone from the first construction was used to build the Sagrada Família temple. The only element that remained intact was the stadium's facade - a symbol of Barcelona's historic Olympic heritage.

The second opening of the stadium took place on September 8, 1989, during the 5th World Athletics Championships. In 1992, the stadium was the arena for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as athletics competitions.

Who has played at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys?

The stadium does not belong to any Barcelona football club and is not used permanently by any team. However, three teams have played here periodically over the last 100 years. The first was the Barcelona Dragons, an American football team that played matches in the World League of American Football and NFL Europe from 1991 to 2003. After changing their name to FC Barcelona Dragons in 2003, the team moved to the Mini Estadi at the Camp Nou complex.

Football teams played here temporarily while their home stadiums were being rebuilt. After the historic Estadio de Sarrià was demolished in 1997, Espanyol played matches at Montjuïc until 2009, when Estadio Nou Sarrià was completed. For the duration of the construction of new Camp Nou, from 2022 onwards, the Catalan Pride play their matches at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. The likely date of return to Camp Nou is early 2025.

How has Estadi Montjuïc been adapted for FC Barcelona?

Barcelona's Olympic Stadium has once again undergone a facelift ahead of FC Barcelona's arrival. As part of the project, several areas of the stadium were transformed including the hospitality rooms, press stands, changing rooms and pitch. The drainage, irrigation and water treatment systems were upgraded and a new water tank was installed. In addition, the competition broadcast and television systems were upgraded to meet the requirements of La Liga and international competitions.

Other significant improvements include modern lighting, telecommunications networks, commentator sectors, VIP seating and the implementation of advanced systems such as VAR and tracking cameras.

The Barcelona authorities have also improved public transport running around the arena. New bus lines have been created, and the length of the metro line commuting to the area has been extended. A cycle path has been built between Plaza España and Miramar and the lighting systems in the pedestrian walkways leading to the venue have been replaced.

What does Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys look like?

Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys has a multi-purpose character and is equipped with an athletics track. The track is surrounded by two-tiered stands. The lower tier of the auditorium has a classic, gently contoured oval shape that matches the contour of the runway. The upper tier has a slightly different form, straight along the pitch and rounded at the curves.

However, the seemingly incompatible two tiers of stands form a harmonious, symmetrical whole. Richly decorated facades and horse sculptures add to the aesthetics of the stadium. Particularly noteworthy is the palatial facade of the main (west) stand with a central dome and bell tower on the side. Also emblematic is the monumental marathon gate on the northern curve.

Only the main stand has a canopy. The facility is also equipped with artificial lighting. Floodlights have been placed on several poles spread behind the east stand and in the corners, as well as in the roof over the main stand. There is a video screen and an electronic scoreboard on the southern curve.

What sporting events have taken place at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys?

The most important event was definitely the 1992 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The stadium also hosted the 1955 Mediterranean Games. In addition, the World Championships in Athletics (1989), the European Championships in Athletics (2010) or the World Junior Championships in Athletics (2012) were held here. Montjuic has hosted 22 national finals in athletics.

The stadium has also played host to American football teams, rugby teams, or hosted the X-Games, Snow Show, boxing fights, fencing, hockey, motor sports competitions, urban running events (Cursa dels Nassos, Cursa Lluís Companys, Breakfast Run, Cursa de El Corte Inglés...).

The stadium has also hosted football matches. From 1997 to 2009 Primera Division matches, and from 2022 to 2024 La Liga matches. Montjuic played host to King's Cup finals in 1930, 1933, 1934, 1939, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1957 and 2004. It also played host to Spanish Super Cup matches 1996, 2000 and 2006. 8 matches were played here by the Spanish national team, all of which were friendly matches.

What non-sporting events took place at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys?

After the Games, the stadium became an arena for numerous cultural and business events. Major international concert tours have taken place there, as well as municipal and business initiatives. Over the years, more than millions of spectators have attended the more than 1,000 events that have taken place at the stadium since 1990.

Some of the biggest artists to have performed at Montjuïc have included Michael Jackson, Madonna, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Shakira, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Harry Styles and The Weeknd.

The stadium was also the site of the Barcelona International Exhibition (1929-1930), a refuge for refugees during the 1936 Civil War, and served as a shelter during the 1957 and 1958 Barcelona floods. The stadium has been used for religious ceremonies and was the venue for driving tests in 1965.

How Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys compares to other LaLiga stadiums?