Laporta highlights importance of Camp Nou redevelopment after €300m financing request: ‘It will be the epicentre of Barça’

Laporta highlights importance of Camp Nou redevelopment after €300m financing request: ‘It will be the epicentre of Barça’ Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, opened the club’s Ordinary General Assembly today by explaining the reasons behind the new €300 million financing request to complete the Spotify Camp Nou redevelopment. One of the proposals being put for vote in front of the club members at today’s General Assembly is the €300 million financing which the club plan to invest into the continued renovation of their stadium. Spotify Camp Nou expected to drive Barcelona’s growth Laporta outlined the club’s financial plans for the coming season and stressed the importance of completing the stadium redevelopment. “Next year we expect to reach €1.195 billion. Completing Spotify Camp Nou is essential for growth. It will be something never seen before in the history of FC Barcelona,” he said. The president described the renovated stadium as the future centre of the club’s economic activity. “It will be the epicentre of Barça. It is an unprecedented source of major revenue,” noted Laporta. Work continue to progress at Camp Nou. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) Laporta also referred members to Ferran Olive for further details about the financing of Espai Barça. He recalled that the original financing package amounted to €1.485 billion, with repayment intended to come from the revenues generated by the stadium. “We wanted it not to have an impact on the members,” he stated. Why the cost of the project has increased Laporta then explained the reasons behind the additional financing requirement , pointing to delays and changes to the redevelopment project since April 2023. “A point came when, from April 2023 onwards, there were delays to the works and an increase in costs,” he explained. The Barça president said the project had been updated to improve stadium access and incorporate additional technology. The scale of the work also increased significantly. “The initial tender included 800 interventions, and it ended up being 3,000 between the first and second tiers. “We have encountered additional costs for materials, a consequence of armed conflicts. Everything has impacted the works. Not being able to return to the Spotify Camp Nou and having to play at Montjuic has also meant having to pay rent. ” Laporta insisted that the €300 million being requested is specifically intended to finish the stadium and accelerate the generation of revenue. “Today we are requesting authorization to update the financing of Espai Barça by 300 million euros. This does not impact the club’s accounts or sporting policy. This money is to finish the Spotify Camp Nou and accelerate revenue generation.” €210 million bond issue backed by audiovisual rights Laporta also provided further details about Barcelona’s wider financial plans. The club will seek approval for the issuance of €210 million in bonds , secured against audiovisual rights. Goldman Sachs has validated the operations, according to the president. Laporta believes Barcelona are headed in the right direction financially. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Laporta said the measures are designed to prevent Barcelona from suffering a competitive disadvantage and stressed that members will not be asked to make an additional payment. “The members will not have to make any additional contribution.” He expects the combination of Espai Barça revenues, the club’s wider commercial activity and a competitive sporting operation to produce unprecedented levels of income. “The exponential revenues from Espai Barça and the club’s activity, together with a competitive team, will lead to an unprecedented level of income. We will be able to have sustainable debt.” Laporta also pointed to Forbes’ €7.5 billion valuation of Barcelona as evidence of the club’s financial potential. “We are proud of the potential of the club,” the president said. He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to Barcelona’s member-owned structure and said the club would take steps to increase member participation. “We want to continue strengthening the members’ association model. It fills us with pride. The institution must be preserved through the association model. We will take action to increase member participation.”