El Clasico 2023: why aren’t Barcelona playing at Camp Nou?

For the first time ever, the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys is to be the venue for a Clásico clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

For the first time since the 1950s, Barcelona are to host El Clásico at a ground other than their traditional Camp Nou home stadium.

Montjuïc’s maiden Clásico

Xavi Hernández’s men take on arch rivals Real Madrid today at their temporary home, the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, as the club carries out comprehensive renovation works on the Camp Nou. It is the first time that the Estadi Olímpic, located in the Montjuïc area of Barcelona, has hosted El Clásico.

Before this weekend, Barça had only ever played home Clásicos at the Campo de la Calle Industria (the club’s stadium between 1909 and 1922), Les Corts (1922 to 1957) and the Camp Nou (1957 onwards).

How long will Barcelona be away from Camp Nou?

After work on the new Camp Nou began earlier this year, Barça moved to Montjuïc at the start of this season. The Spanish champions are planning to return to the Camp Nou in November 2024 - coinciding with the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations - although the stadium revamp won’t be finished by then.

The new Camp Nou, which has been designed by the Japanese company Nikken Sekkei, is scheduled for completion in 2026. Nikken Sekkei is working with the local architects Pascual i Ausió Arquitectes.

Built at a cost of €900 million, the redeveloped stadium will have an increased capacity of 105,000, and is part of the €1.5 billion Espai Barça project, which seeks to renovate not only the arena itself, but its surrounding area.