The Nou Camp Expansion

The Nou Camp Expansion

Home to one of most successful football teams of all time and arguably the most successful in the past decade, Barcelona’s Nou Camp has become an iconic symbol of the club’s greatness. However, for many years now, the club has been discussing the possibility of expanding the stadium.

The first question I asked when I heard this was why? The stadium is the largest in Europe and eleventh in the world, boasting a maximum capacity of 99,786 fans so why add more? It is simple really. The desire to watch the team’s matches are at a huge demand and no wonder due to the club’s recent dominance not just in Spain but in Europe.

The club were pondering two ideas for expansion, the first being the expansion of the original stadium whilst the second was to build a new one. The later proposal had plans developed by Lord Norman Foster and was to hold a capacity of 106,000 people. The build featured a new roof and outer-shell which surrounded the original stadium and had a beautiful mosaic like outside with translucent tiles that glowed during games.

However, on the 22^nd January 2014, it was decided that the original stadium was to be expanded, scrapping Lord Foster’s plans. The new plan sets to increase the capacity to 105,000 by adding a new, much steeper first tier. The stadium will also have improved functionality and accessibility making the venue which was built in 1957 much more modern. The stadium will have a roof that covers all the tiers, instead of just one and from first images looks magnificent. I am sure the expansion will continue the Nou Camp’s symbolism of Barcelona’s success.

If any of you have been to the Nou Camp then I am sure you will agree with me here that the upper tiers are already extremely steep. I went for a tour of the stadium and felt terrified of how steep the upper tier was. I cannot image how more ominous this feeling must be during a full capacity match.  The new tier may offer a better viewing experience but there really is a limit to how steep you should make your stadium and Barcelona’s is already too much.

With all that in mind, plus the 2021 expected completion date and the £495 million estimated build cost, is all worth it for an extra 5,214 fans per match? I would not say so because by 2021 the demand for tickets will outgrow the expansion and so further plan discussions will take place right after competition.