Barcelona president backs Camp Nou for 2029 Champions League final: ‘Hopefully UEFA gives us this match’

Barcelona president backs Camp Nou for 2029 Champions League final: ‘Hopefully UEFA gives us this match’ Joan Laporta has made Barcelona’s ambitions clear as UEFA prepares to choose the venue for the 2029 Champions League final. The Barça president wants European football’s biggest club match back at the Camp Nou and believes the renovated stadium will eventually provide a stage worthy of the occasion. UEFA is deciding between Barcelona’s Camp Nou and Wembley in London, with the announcement expected later today . Laporta makes Barcelona’s case Laporta openly backed Barcelona’s candidacy while acknowledging that significant work still needs to be completed around the stadium. “We would like to be chosen for the 2029 Champions League final, but a lot of work has to be done here so that access to the stadium becomes a reality and we can have a ground ready to organise a match like this,” Laporta said. Once the renovation is fully completed, the Camp Nou is expected to be one of the best state-of-the-art arenas in world football. Joan Laporta hopes UEFA give the 2029 Champions League final to the Spotify Camp Nou. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) A true reflection of the work done on the iconic venue will only come when Barça get to host major games such as the Champions League final. The 2029 final could also act as a trailer for the 2030 World Cup, where the Camp Nou is expected to be allotted a significant number of matches . Although there is still work to be done, Laporta has little doubt about what the finished Camp Nou can become. “We have a stadium where you can increasingly see that progress is being made. It will be the best stadium in the world, worthy of a team like Barcelona. I am proud of what they are doing,” he said. He finished with a simple message: “Hopefully UEFA gives us this match.” Camp Nou battling Wembley The competition could hardly be stronger. Wembley already possesses enormous experience hosting Champions League finals, while Barcelona are effectively asking UEFA to place its faith in the completed Camp Nou project. A fully renovated Camp Nou would be a spectacle. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Barcelona’s candidacy does have significant institutional support, including backing from Barcelona City Council, the Catalan government, the Spanish Football Federation and the Spanish government. Once completed, the renovated stadium is expected to hold approximately 104,600 spectators. Hosting the 2029 final would carry enormous symbolic value for Barcelona. The Spotify Camp Nou previously staged European Cup finals in 1989 and 1999. Bringing the match back three decades later would showcase the rebuilt stadium to a global audience. Barcelona and Laporta have made their case. The ball is now in UEFA’s court to make a decision.