News Focus
- The Spanish Government has given official approval for Barcelona to host the 2028-29 Champions League final
- The Catalan club last staged the final in 1999 when Manchester United beat Bayern Munich
- Barcelona must submit their official bid to UEFA before the 10th of June deadline
- The club hopes the event will bring much-needed revenue to help solve financial problems
- Wembley Stadium in London is expected to compete against Barcelona for the hosting rights
Barcelona has moved one step closer to bringing the Champions League final back to Catalonia. The Spanish Government has officially backed the club’s plan to host the 2028-29 final at Spotify Camp Nou.
The club received approval from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) several weeks ago. Now, with government support secured, Barcelona can submit their bid to UEFA. They must do this before the 10th of June deadline.
It has been 27 years since the stadium last hosted European football’s biggest match. In 1999, Manchester United scored two late goals to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in a dramatic final. Since then, the venue has changed its name from the Nou Camp to Spotify Camp Nou.
Hosting the final would bring huge financial benefits to Barcelona. The club has faced serious money problems in recent years. The income from hosting the final would help ease these difficulties.
The timing works well with the stadium’s renovation. The Espai Barca project should finish before the 2028-29 season. Workers will complete the third tier within the next year. They will then install the new roof, which should be ready by summer 2028.
Spain is already set to host the 2026-27 final at Atletico Madrid’s Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium. If Barcelona wins this bid, Spain will host two finals in three years.
UEFA will announce the winning bid in September. However, Barcelona faces strong competition. Wembley Stadium in London is also expected to bid for the same final.