Camp Nou Inauguration 1957
The iconic home of FC Barcelona, a stadium of legends and history.
Camp Nou (Catalan: [ˈkam ˈnɔw], meaning 'New Field'), officially Spotify Camp Nou for sponsorship reasons, and often referred to in English as the Nou Camp, is a stadium in the Les Corts district of Barcelona and the home of La Liga club FC Barcelona since its opening in 1957. It is currently undergoing renovation, and upon completion it will retain its position as the largest stadium in terms of seating capacity in Spain and Europe.
Quick Facts
- Construction duration
- Three years and six months
Lore & Background
The construction of the Camp Nou started on 28 March 1954 as Barcelona's previous stadium, Camp de Les Corts, had no room for expansion. Although originally planned to be called the Estadi del Barcelona, the more popular name Camp Nou ('new field') was used. The June 1950 signing of László Kubala, regarded as one of Barcelona's greatest players, provided further impetus to the construction of a larger stadium. On 14 November 1950, the president Agustí Montal i Galobart obtained the favourable agreement of an assembly of members to acquire land for the construction of a new stadium, initially located in Hospitalet de Llobregat, which was later exchanged with the Barcelona City Council for land in the Les Corts district of Barcelona, where the Camp Nou was actually built.
The stadium is located at the end of Travessera de les Corts, next to the Cementiri and the Maternitat. The commission dedicated to the project recommended another location in February 1951. The official purchase took place two years later. The appointment of Francesc Miró-Sans as president of Barcelona, on 14 November 1953, was to relaunch the project.
Invested in February of the following year, Miró-Sans decided in favour of the land acquired in 1950, and the first stone of the stadium was laid on 28 March 1954. A procession of several thousands of people made the journey from the Camp de Les Corts to La Masia de Can Planes, where the ceremony of laying the first stone was held, a solemn ceremony in the presence of Miró-Sans, the head of the Civil Government of Barcelona and the archbishop of Barcelona, Gregorio Modrego.
The project was completed one year later, when the club entrusted the construction to the building company Ingar SA. The work was supposed to last eight months, but the costs were more than four times higher than expected, reaching 288 million pesetas. Through mortgages and loans, the club managed to finish the project, borrowing heavily for several years. The club hoped to cover the cost with the sale of the land at Les Corts, but the Barcelona City Council took five years to requalify it, giving rise to a period of certain economic hardship.
Finally, the head of state and of the Spanish government at the time, the dictator Francisco Franco, authorised the requalification of the land at Les Corts.
Reader's Guide
The stadium's capacity has varied greatly over the years, opening at 106,146, and growing to 121,401 for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. In May 1972, the Camp Nou hosted its first European Cup Winners' Cup final between Rangers and Dynamo Moscow. Rangers won the match with a score of 3–2. Electronic scoreboards were installed in 1975.
The stadium underwent an expansion in 1982, in anticipation of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, which added boxes, VIP lounges, a new press area, new markers and the construction of the third tier, which was smaller in height than the original design by 6 metres (46.60 metres compared to the original design of 52.50 metres). The expansion of the stadium added 22,150 new seats, taking the total seating capacity to 71,731, and the standing capacity was expanded by 16,500 to 49,670, taking the total stadium capacity (seated and standing combined) to 121,401.
Barcelona's record attendance was set on 5 March 1986 in the European Cup quarter-final against Juventus in front of 120,000 spectators, just 1,401 shy of the stadium's capacity. The Camp Nou was one of several stadiums used throughout the 1982 World Cup, hosting the inauguration ceremony on 13 June. It also hosted more matches in that tournament than any of the 16 other stadiums used all over Spain, including the opening match, where the traditional opening ceremonies took place (including the releasing of a dove).
In front of 95,000, Belgium upset the defending champions Argentina 1–0 in that opening match. It then hosted three round-robin matches between the Soviet Union, Poland and Belgium, which Poland ended up winning and qualifying from to reach the semi-finals, where they played Italy at the Camp Nou, losing 2–0; Italy went on to win the final match, which was played at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. The Camp Nou also hosted the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich, with both teams in contention to complete league title/domestic cup/European Cup trebles.
Bayern led early through Mario Basler's goal in the sixth minute and kept the lead as the clock reached 90 minutes, but United came back to win with injury time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær. As well as hosting Barcelona, the Camp Nou is home to the Catalan team. The stadium is frequently used for other football events.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Camp Nou officially inaugurated?
The stadium opened its doors on September 24, 1957, marking the end of three and a half years of construction. This date represents the moment FC Barcelona permanently left their previous home at Les Corts to embrace a much larger future.
Who was the president responsible for building Camp Nou?
Francesc Miró-Sans served as the club's president during this monumental project, driving the vision to create a stadium that reflected the team's growing global stature. His leadership ensured the structure became a physical symbol of the club's ambition and resilience.
How large was Camp Nou when it first opened?
At its 1957 inauguration, the venue held the title of the largest stadium in Europe, designed to accommodate an exploding fanbase. This massive capacity allowed Barcelona to host a new era of supporters and legendary players alike.
Why is the 1957 opening considered a turning point for the club?
The inauguration signaled FC Barcelona's transition from humble roots to a global identity, providing a grand stage for Catalan spirit. It established an eternal home where icons like Kubala and Messi would later define football history.
What was the construction timeline for the original stadium?
Building the new cathedral of football took exactly three years and six months before it could host its first official match. This extensive period was necessary to create a facility capable of meeting the club's unprecedented growth demands.
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