Antonio Escudero, Barcelona’s vice president for the social area, told Mundo Deportivo this weekend that international sports authorities were on side with the club’s bid to stage the showpiece.
“We would really like it. I think so, it’s very possible. Sports authorities around the world are on board. We’ve made a great effort and we have a great stadium,” Escudero said.
“There is a very high probability that it will be that way.”
The pitch echoes an earlier one from the boardroom. At his presidential inauguration on 1 July 2026, Barcelona president Joan Laporta told Yahoo Sports that the renovated ground would be the ideal stage for the final on capacity and facilities alone.
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Bernabéu remains the frontrunner
Camp Nou is one of three candidates. Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, with its retractable roof and recent redevelopment, is widely regarded as the leading candidate, with the Spanish Football Federation understood to favor it. Morocco’s Grand Stade Hassan II, still under construction in El Mansouria around 40 km north of Casablanca, is the third. With 115,000 seats and completion targeted for late 2028, it will be the largest football stadium in Africa and the second largest in the world if delivered on time.
FIFA is expected to award the final later in 2026, alongside its approval of the full list of host stadiums. Spain, Portugal and Morocco share hosting duties for the tournament, with three centenary matches played in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The renovation is not finished
Escudero’s confidence sits on top of an unfinished project. Barcelona returned to Camp Nou for competitive matches on 22 November 2025 with capacity initially capped at around 45,000. After a phased opening, the ground is now operating at 62,652 seats, and the club plans a further expansion for the 2026/27 season before a temporary move back to Montjuïc so the roof can be installed. Full completion of the third tier and retractable roof is now targeted for late 2027, at which point the venue is planned to hold about 105,000 spectators, which would make it the largest football ground in Europe.
FIFA has confirmed the Spotify Camp Nou as one of the tournament’s host venues.
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A Champions League final in 2029
Barcelona already has one showpiece booked. On 15 September 2026, the UEFA Executive Committee selected Camp Nou to host the 2029 UEFA Men’s Champions League final, to be played on 2 June 2029. It will be the ground’s first European Cup or Champions League final since 1999.
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