Camp Nou
| Camp Nou | |
|---|---|
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| Full name | Camp Nou |
| Former names | Estadi del FC Barcelona (1957–2000) |
| Location | Avinguda Aristides Maillol, s/n 08028, Barcelona |
| Broke ground | 28 March 1954 |
| Built | 1954-1957 |
| Opened | 24 September 1957[1] |
| Renovated | 1994 |
| Expanded | 1982 |
| Owner | FC Barcelona |
| Operator | FC Barcelona |
| Surface | Grass |
| Scoreboard | Yes |
| Architect | Phillip Francesc Mitjans Josep Soteras Lorenzo García-Barbón Agnew |
| Capacity | 98,722[1] |
| Field dimensions | 105 × 68 m (344 × 223 ft)[1] |
| Tenants | |
| FC Barcelona (1957–present) | |
The Camp Nou (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈkam ˈnɔw], New Field), often erroneously called the Nou Camp in English, is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium, located in the west of the city, has been the home of FC Barcelona since its construction in 1957. It has hosted numerous international matches at senior level, and two UEFA Champions League finals, the most recent being in 1999. It has a capacity of 98,787, making it the largest stadium in Europe, and the twelfth largest in the world. Its official name was Estadi del FC Barcelona (FC Barcelona Stadium) until 2000, when the club membership voted to change the official name to the popular nickname, Camp Nou. It held UEFA five-star stadium status which was superseded by a new system of classification.
Across from Camp Nou is the Palau Blaugrana, the stadium for indoor sports and adjacent is the Ice Rink, the stadium for ice-based sports. Just behind the complex is the Mini Estadi, the stadium where FC Barcelona B, Barça's reserve team, play their games.
Contents |
History
After the final expansion of the Camp de Les Corts stadium, there was no further room for expansion of the facilities and after two back-to-back La Liga titles in 1948 and 1949, the club began to make plans for a new stadium, which would later be known as the Camp Nou. Another version is that the signing of László Kubala in June 1950, who would later go on to score 196 goals in 256 matches, necessitated the construction of a larger stadium due to his highly attractive play.[2][3][4]
The building of Camp Nou commenced on 28 March 1954, before a crowd of 60,000 Barça fans. The first stone of the future Camp Nou was laid in place under the presidency of Governor Felipe Acedo Colunga and with the blessing of the Archbishop of Barcelona, Gregorio Modrego. The construction took three years and ended 24 September 1957, going 336% over budget with a final cost of 288 million pesetas.[4] After three years of construction, the stadium was opened on 24 September 1957 under a performance of Handel's Messiah.
The stadium capacity has varied greatly over the years, opening at 106,146, but growing to 121,749 for the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
In May 1972, Camp Nou hosted its first European Cup Winners Cup final between Rangers and Dynamo Moscow, with the final being 3-2 in Rangers' favor. The 1970s marked a turning point for FC Barcelona, with the signing of new coach Johan Cruyff in 1973. The stadium saw the installation of electronic scoreboards two years later.
The stadium underwent a remodeling in 1980 of the reception for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Boxes, VIP lounges, a new press area, new markers, and particularly the enlargement of the third tier with the addition of 22,150 places for a total capacity of 115,000 spectators. To fund the remodeling, the club raised money by offering supporters to inscribe their name on the bricks for a small fee. The idea went well with the supporters, and thousands of people paid the fee. Later, this became the centre of controversy when media in Madrid picked up reports that one of the stones had inscribed the name of long-time Real Madrid chairman and Franco-supporter, Santiago Bernabéu.[5][6][7] The first important game played was the final of the Cup Winners Cup featuring Barcelona against Standard Liège on 12 May 1982. Barcelona went on to win the game 2–1 in front of an audience of 80,000. The inauguration ceremony of the 1982 World Cup was held on June 13. In front of a 100,000 person crowd, Belgium beat Argentina 1–0.[8]
The Camp Nou was one of several stadiums used throughout the 1982 World Cup. At the time, the stadium boasted a maximum capacity of 93,053. It also hosted the opening ceremony and first match of the tournament took place, yielding a major upset with Belgium defeating defending champions Argentina 2–1.
Pope John Paul II celebrated mass with a congregation of over 121,000 at the Camp Nou on 17 November 1982, on the occasion becoming honorary member of Barcelona.[9] The stadium underwent little change after 1982, except for the opening of the club museum in 1984. Apart from Barcelona matches, the stadium has also hosted major concerts and other football events. The European Cup final between A.C. Milan and Steaua Bucharest was held on May 24, 1989 with the Italian club winning 4–0.[10] The Camp Nou received part of the football competition in the 1992 Summer Olympics, including the final. In preparation for the Olympics, two more tiers of additional seating were installed over the previous roof-line.[11]
The Camp Nou underwent a facelift in 1993–94. The pitch was lowered by 2.5 metres. The security gap that separated the lawn from the galleries was removed, and all of the standing places disappeared to be replaced by new individual seating. A new press box, as well as the renovation of the presidential grandstand and boxes, new parking under the main grandstand, and a new lighting and sound just completed stadium to the 1998–99 season. In 1999 UEFA outlawed standing sections in a stadium, and the Camp Nou capacity settled on current leve.[1] Later that year, the stadium was host to the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final, a vibrant clash between Manchester United and Bayern Munich, which the English side won 2–1, comming back from 0-1 down in injury time.[12]
In 2000 a petition among the fans saw the official name of the stadium change. Of the 29,102 votes the club received, a total of 19,861 (68.25%) preferred Camp Nou to Estadi del FC Barcelona, and thus the official name was changed to its popular nickname.[13]
The facilities now include a memorabilia shop, mini pitches for training matches, and a chapel for the players. The stadium also houses the second-most visited museum in Catalonia, FC Barcelona Museum, which receives more than 1,200,000 visitors per year.[14]
Apart from being used by Barcelona, Camp Nou is often used to host concerts as well as being home turf to the Catalan national team, their latest match being a 4-2 win over Argentina.[15]
Structure and facilities
Future
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To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the stadium, the club issued an international tender to re-model the stadium. The objective was to turn the stadium into an integrated and highly visible urban environment. The club seeks to increase the seating capacity by 13,500 seats. The plan must accommodate a minimum of 50% of seats to be under cover. Once renovations are complete, the stadium will be the third largest in the world, after the Rungrado May Day Stadium in North Korea (150,000 capacity) and the Salt Lake Stadium in India (120,000 capacity).
On 18 September 2007, British architect Norman Foster and his company were selected to "restructure" the Camp Nou. With an estimated cost of €250 million, the plans included an extra 10,000 seats to be added, giving a maximum capacity of 106,000.[16] The board of Barcelona had approved for their former training ground Mini Estadi to be sold in order to finance the remodeling. The project was planned to begin in 2009 and be finished for the 2011-12 season.[17] However, due to the 2009 financial crises and subsequent fall in real estate prices, the sale of the Mini Estadi was postponed and so the remodeling project.
In May 2010, the presidential candidate Sandro Rosell, who was elected president on 30 June 2010, dismissed the sale of the Mini Estadí as it would be indefensible to "... sell the crown jewels.", thereby ending the plan to remodel Camp Nou.[18][19]
Other uses
Camp Nou has also been used for purposes other than football.
In 1982 it was the site of a mass-congregation held by previous Pope John Paul II, where 120,000 people attended.[9]
In 1983 Julio Iglesias played for 60,000 people, in what was described as "most beautifully orchestrated".[20]
On 3 August 1988, Bruce Springsteen held a concert.
On 9 August 1988, Michael Jackson held a concert.
10 September 1988: a charity concert organised by Amnesty International to support human rights was held. Among the artist were: Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Youssou N'Dour, Tracy Chapman and El Último de la Fila.
13 July 1997, a concert with the Three Tenors, Josep Carreras, Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.
On 1 July 2009 it was the stage of U2's 360 Tour. Being filled to maximum capacity, 90,000 people attended.[21] The lead singer of U2, Bono, explained that they had started their tour in Camp Nou: “This is where we wanted to build a space station, designed by Gaudi in the capital of surrealism.". The concert ended with Bono wearing the shirt of FC Barcelona.[22]
References
- Bibliography
- Ball, Phill (2003). Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football. WSC Books Limited. ISBN 0954013468.
- Eaude, Michael (2008). Catalonia: a cultural history. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195327977.
- Farred, Grant (2008). Long distance love: a passion for football. Temple University Press. ISBN 1592133746.
- Murray, Bill; Murray, William J. (1998). The world's game: a history of soccer. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 0252067185.
- Snyder, John (2001). Soccer's most wanted: the top 10 book of clumsy keepers, clever crosses, and outlandish oddities. Brassey's. ISBN 1574883658.
- Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Information". FC Barcelona. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/club/club_avui/informacio_corporativa/barca_enxifres/barca_enxifres.html. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- ↑ Farred, Grant p. 124
- ↑ Eaude, Michael p. 104
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Brief history of Camp Nou". FC Barcelona. http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/club/club_avui/territori_barca/CampNou/intro_historica.html. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
- ↑ Ball, Phil pp. 20–21
- ↑ Ball, Phil pp. 121–22
- ↑ Murray, Bill; Murray, William J. p. 102
- ↑ "1982 FIFA World Cup Spain". FIFA. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=59/results/matches/match=749/report.html. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kelly, Cathal (8 April 2005). "Pope's team? Myths never had a prayer". Toronto Star. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/818978971.html?dids=818978971:818978971&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+08%2C+2005&author=Cathal+Kelly&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Pope%27s+team%3F+Myths+never+had+a+prayer&pqatl=google. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
- ↑ Brewin, John (1 May 2009). "Warnings from history for Manchester United". ESPN. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=642209&cc=5739. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
- ↑ Snyder, John. pp. 81-82
- ↑ "United crowned kings of Europe". BBC. 26 May 1999. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/353842.stm. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
- ↑ "A five star stadium". FC Barcelona. http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/club/club_avui/territori_barca/CampNou/estadi_cinc_estrelles.html. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
- ↑ "Visites per ordre de nom del museu" (in Catalan). Generalitat de Catalunya. http://www20.gencat.cat/docs/CulturaDepartament/Cultura/Temes/Museus/Area%20de%20Difusio%20i%20Explotacio/Estad%C3%ADstiques%20de%20museus/2008/2008.%20Visites%20(per%20ordre%20de%20nom%20del%20museu).pdf. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ↑ "No homage to Catalonia from Arsene Wenger as Johan Cruyff picks Cesc Fabregas for Christmas charity friendly". Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1235784/No-homage-Catalonia-Arsene-Wenger-Johan-Cruyff-picks-Cesc-Fabregas-Christmas-charity-friendly.html. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
- ↑ "Camp Nou". Fosters + Partners. http://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/1552/default.aspx. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- ↑ Hamilos, Paul (24 September 2007). "European football: Foster to give Camp Nou Gaudí-inspired facelift". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/sep/24/football.architecture. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- ↑ "Rosell vería como una "muy mala noticia" vender los terrenos del Miniestadi" (in Spanish). La Vanguardia. 20 May 2010. http://www.lavanguardia.es/deportes/noticias/20100520/53931312016/rosell-veria-como-una-muy-mala-noticia-vender-los-terrenos-del-miniestadi.html. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- ↑ "Laporta, un 'elefant' en el palco" (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 15 July 2010. http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/gen/20100701/53956573877/noticia/laporta-un-elefant-en-el-palco.html. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- ↑ García, Elizabeth p. 49
- ↑ http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/u2-camp-nou-barcelona-1727881.html
- ↑ http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6614394.ece
External links
Media related to Camp Nou at Wikimedia Commons- enjoy the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona
- Footballmatch Collection of Spanish stadiums.
- Camp Nou Stadium Tour.
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Two legged Final |
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final Venue 1964 |
Succeeded by Stadio Comunale Turin |
| Preceded by Karaiskakis Stadium Piraeus |
UEFA Cup Winners Cup Final Venue 1972 |
Succeeded by Kaftanzoglio Stadium Thessaloniki |
| Preceded by Rheinstadion Düsseldorf |
UEFA Cup Winners Cup Final Venue 1982 |
Succeeded by Nya Ullevi Gothenburg |
| Preceded by Seoul Olympic Stadium Seoul |
Olympic Football tournament Final Venue 1992 |
Succeeded by Sanford Stadium Athens, Georgia Atlanta Metropolitan Region |
| Preceded by Neckarstadion Stuttgart |
European Cup Final Venue 1989 |
Succeeded by Praterstadion Vienna |
| Preceded by Amsterdam ArenA Amsterdam |
UEFA Champions League Final Venue 1999 |
Succeeded by Stade de France Paris |
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