Jump to content

Camp Nou

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 170.252.72.61 (talk) at 11:56, 27 October 2014 (in the link it says 5th). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Camp Nou
UEFA Category 4 Stadium
Map
Full nameCamp Nou
Former namesEstadi del FC Barcelona (1957–2000)
LocationBarcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Coordinates41°22′51″N 2°07′22″E / 41.38087°N 2.122802°E / 41.38087; 2.122802
OwnerFC Barcelona
OperatorFC Barcelona
Executive suites23
Capacity93,053 (1957–1980)
121,749 (1980–1993)
115,000 (1993–1999)
98,772 (2005–2010)
99,354 (2010–)
Field size106 m × 70 m (116 yd × 77 yd)[1]
SurfaceGrass
ScoreboardYes
Construction
Built1954–1957
Opened24 September 1957[1]
Renovated1995, 2008
Expanded1982
ArchitectSilda VIP
Josep Soteras
Giulio
Project managerJonathan Ackroyd
Tenants
FC Barcelona (1957–present)
1992 Summer Olympics
Catalonia national football team

Camp Nou (Catalan pronunciation: [kamˈnɔw], New Field, often referred to in English as The Nou Camp[2][3]) is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, which has been the home of Futbol Club Barcelona since 1957.

The Camp Nou seats 99,354,[4] and thus is the largest stadium in Europe and the 5th largest association football stadium in the world in terms of capacity. It has hosted numerous international matches at a senior level, including two UEFA Champions League finals and the football competition at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

History

Construction

The construction of 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 Estadi del FC Barcelona, the more popular name Camp Nou 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.[5][6][7]

Construction of Camp Nou began on 28 March 1954 before a crowd of 60,000 Barça fans. The civil governor of Barcelona, Felipe Acedo Colunga, presided at the laying in place of the first stone, with a blessing from the Archbishop of Barcelona, Gregorio Modrego. Construction took three years, going 336% over budget for a final cost of 288 million pesetas.[7] The stadium was officially opened on 24 September 1957. Handel's Messiah was performed at the opening of the stadium. Barcelona then defeated Legia Warsaw 4-2 in a friendly match.[8]

The architects were a team made up of Francesc Mitjans, Josep Soteras, and Lorenzo García-Barbón.[citation needed]

Early years

In May 1972, 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. The 1970s marked a turning point for Barcelona with the signing of a new player, Johan Cruyff, in 1973. Electronic scoreboards were installed in the stadium two years later.

One of the stands displaying Barcelona's motto, Més que un club, meaning "More than a club".

The stadium underwent an expansion in 1980, in anticipation of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, which added boxes, VIP lounges, a new press area, new markers and an enhanced seating capacity of 80,000.

Camp Nou was one of several stadiums used throughout the 1982 World Cup, hosting the inauguration ceremony on 13 June. Before a 121,749-person crowd, Belgium upset the defending champions Argentina 1–0 in the match that followed.[9]

Development

FC Barcelona against Bayern Munich at the stadium in the 2013 UEFA Champions League

The stadium’s capacity has varied greatly over the years, opening at 106,146, but growing to 121,749 for the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

Apart from hosting FC Barcelona, Camp Nou is home turf to the Catalan national team, their latest match as of August 2010 being a 4–2 win over Argentina.[10] The stadium is frequently used for other football events. The European Cup final between Milan and Steaua Bucureşti was held on 24 May 1989, with the Italian club winning 4–0.[11] Camp Nou hosted part of the football competition, including the final, in the 1992 Summer Olympics.[12] In preparation for these Games, two additional tiers of seating were installed over the previous roof-line.[13]

Camp Nou underwent little change after 1982, except for the opening of the club museum in 1984. The stadium underwent a facelift in 1993–94, in which the pitch was lowered by 2.5 m (8 ft), the security gap that separated the lawn from the galleries was removed, and standing room was eliminated in favor of individual seating. A new press box, renovation of the presidential grandstand and boxes, new parking under the main grandstand, and new lighting and sound systems were completed in time for the 1998–99 season. In 1999 the UEFA outlawed standing sections in stadiums, and Camp Nou’s capacity settled to its current level.[1] The stadium hosted the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final later that year where Manchester United played Bayern Munich. United won 2–1, coming back from 0–1 down in injury time.[14]

A view of the supporters’ side during a match, showing the FC Barcelona colours.

During 1998–99, UEFA rated Camp Nou a five-star stadium for its services and functionalities.[15] However, as per the 2010 regulations, UEFA does not publish a list of the top venues.

In 2000, fans were polled concerning the stadium’s name. 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 the popular nickname.[16]

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 1.2 million visitors per year.[17]

Future

The club issued an international tender to remodel the stadium as a celebration of the stadium's fiftieth anniversary. The objective was to make the facility an integrated and highly visible urban environment. The club sought to increase the seating capacity by 13,500, with at least half of the total seating to be under cover. The intention was to make it the fourth-largest stadium in the world (in terms of seating capacity), after the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the USA (297,000 capacity), the Rungnado May Day Stadium in North Korea (150,000 capacity) and the Salt Lake Stadium in India (120,000 capacity).

On 18 September 2007, the British architect Norman Foster and his company were selected to "restructure" Camp Nou. With an estimated cost of €250 million, the plan included the addition of 10,000 seats for a maximum capacity of 106,000.[18] The FC Barcelona board approved the sale of their former training ground (the Mini Estadi) in order to finance the remodeling. The project was planned to begin in 2009 and to be finished for the 2011–12 season.[19] However, due to the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent fall in real estate prices, the sale of the training ground was postponed and likewise the remodeling project. In May 2010, Sandro Rosell, then a candidate for president of FC Barcelona, dismissed the possibility of selling the Mini Estadi, saying it would be indefensible to “sell the crown jewels”, and his election on 30 June 2010 effectively halted the plan to remodel Camp Nou.[20][21]

In January 2014, Barcelona's board of directors rejected the option of building a new stadium and will instead remodel the Nou Camp to bring capacity up to 105,000.[22] The project is expected to cost around £495million (€600 million) with work beginning in 2017 with a completion date of early 2021.[23][24]

Other uses

A panoramic photograph of the stadium in January 2011
Camp Nou was host when U2 played in Barcelona on their 360° Tour.

Camp Nou has been used for various purposes other than football, often hosting major concerts.

Pope John Paul II celebrated mass for a congregation of over 121,000 at Camp Nou on 17 November 1982, on the occasion being made an honorary citizen of Barcelona.[25]

In 1983 Julio Iglesias played for 60,000 people, in what was described as a "most beautifully orchestrated" concert.[26] Other high-profile performances at Camp Nou include those by Bruce Springsteen on 3 August 1988 during his Tunnel Of Love Express Tour; and again on 19 July and 20 July 2008 during his Magic Tour. On 10 September 1988, a charity concert organised by Amnesty International to support human rights featured, among others, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Youssou N'Dour, Tracy Chapman, and El Último de la Fila. A concert by the Three Tenors—Josep Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti—was held on 13 July 1997.

On 30 June 2009 the stadium held the launch of the U2 360° Tour, which was attended to the maximum capacity of 90,000 people.[27] The lead singer of U2, Bono, explained that they had started their tour in Camp Nou since “This is where we wanted to build a space station, designed by Gaudi in the capital of surrealism." The concert ended with Bono wearing an FC Barcelona jersey.[28]

On 9 August 1988, Michael Jackson appeared at the stadium in front of 95,000 fans during his Bad World Tour.[29]

Transport connections

Avinguda de Xile Station

Tramway

500 metres from Camp Nou there is the Trambaix Avinguda de Xile Station (lines T1, T2 and T3).

Especially at the end of the matches, the service is stepped up.

Metro

The stadium is accessible from the Barcelona Metro. The closest stations to Camp nou are Palau Reial, Maria Cristina and Les Corts, on L3; i Badal i Collblanc, on L5. All are 500 to 1000 metres from Camp Nou, depending on which of the gates (accesses) to Camp Nou one uses.

Closest station to each access:

  • Accesses 1–10: Palau Reial.
  • Accesses 11–16: Collblanc.
  • Accesses 17 and 18: Badal.
  • Accesses 19–21: les Corts.

Currently a station for Camp Nou is under construction, on L9 and L10.[citation needed]

Usually metro services are increased when there is a match. On workdays and Sundays the metro runs until midnight. On Saturdays there is continuous service all night.[citation needed]

TMB bus

Bus

The bus lines with a stop close to Camp Nou are:

TMB lines:

  • 7 – Diagonal Mar/Z. Universitària
  • 15 – Hosp. St. Pau/Collblanc
  • 33 – Z. Universitària/Verneda
  • 43 – Les Corts/Sant Adrià
  • 50 – Collblanc / Trinitat Nova
  • 54 – Estació Nord/Campus Nord
  • 59 – Pg. Marítim/R. M. Cristina
  • 63 – Pl. Universitat/Sant Joan Despí
  • 67 – Pl. Catalunya/Cornellà
  • 70 – Sants/Pg. Bonanova
  • 72 – Distr. Gran Via l'Hospitalet/Bonanova
  • 74 – Z. Universitària/Fabra i Puig
  • 75 – Les Corts/Av. Tibidabo
  • 78 – Est. Sants/St. Joan Despí
  • 113 – La Mercè
  • D20 – Pg. Marítim / Ernest Lluch

AMB lines:

  • L12 – Barcelona (Pl. Reina Maria Cristina)/Cornellà (Almeda)

Nitbus (approximately 22.30h-5h):

  • N2 – Hospitalet (Av. Carrilet)/Barcelona (Via Augusta)
  • N3 – Collblanc/Montcada i Reixac
  • N12 – Barcelona (Pl. Portal de la Pau)/St. Feliu de Llob. (La Salut)
  • N14 – Barcelona (Rda. Universitat)/Castelldefels (Centre vila)

Usually the lines 15, 43 and 56 service is stepped up, depending on the demand that may occur. Apart from that there are two special lines to Mossèn Jacint Verdaguer Square and to Catalunya Square when there are matches.

Airport

The stadium is 8.5 miles (13.7 km) away from the El Prat International Airport.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Information". FC Barcelona. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  2. ^ http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nou-camp-visit-isnt-to-admire-1393535
  3. ^ Percy, John (19 December 2012). "Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova steps down from Nou Camp role following relapse of tumour on saliva glands". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  4. ^ [1]. www.fcbarcelona.com. Retrieved on 2012-08-22.
  5. ^ Farred, Grant p. 124
  6. ^ Eaude, Michael p. 104
  7. ^ a b "Brief history of Camp Nou". FC Bajsalona. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  8. ^ Seal, Brian. "24 September 1957 - Barça's New Camp". This Day in Football History. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  9. ^ "1982 FIFA World Cup Spain". FIFA. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  10. ^ "No homage to Catalonia from Arsene Wenger as Johan Cruyff picks Cesc Fabregas for Christmas charity friendly". Daily Mail. London. 15 December 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  11. ^ Brewin, John (1 May 2009). "Warnings from history for Manchester United". ESPN. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  12. ^ 1992 Summer Olympics official report. Volume 2. pp. 211–6.
  13. ^ Snyder,EL Hadii Director of the stadium John. pp. 81–82
  14. ^ "United crowned kings of Europe". BBC. 26 May 1999. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  15. ^ "A five star stadium". FC Barcelona. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  16. ^ "A five star stadium". FC Bajsalona. Retrieved 13 August 2010.[dead link]
  17. ^ "Visites per ordre de nom del museu" (PDF) (in Catalan). Generalitat de Catalunya. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
  18. ^ "Camp Nou". Fosters + Partners. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  19. ^ Paul Hamilos (24 September 2007). "European football: Foster to give Camp Nou Gaudí-inspired facelift". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  20. ^ "Rosell vería como una "muy mala noticia" vender los terrenos del Miniestadi" (in Spanish). La Vanguardia. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  21. ^ "Laporta, un 'elefant' en el palco" (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 15 July 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  22. ^ "Barcelona announce Nou Camp redevelopment plan". BBC Sport. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  23. ^ "The New Camp! Barcelona reveal £495m plan to develop 105,000 capacity stadium with roof". Daily Mail. London. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  24. ^ "A new stadium built on the same structure". FC Barcelona Official Site. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  25. ^ Kelly, Cathal (8 April 2005). "Pope's team? Myths never had a prayer". Toronto Star. Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  26. ^ García, Elizabeth p. 49
  27. ^ Perrone, Pierre (2 July 2009). "U2, Camp Nou, Barcelona – Reviews, Music". The Independent. London. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  28. ^ Paphides, Pete (1 July 2009). "U2 at Nou Camp Stadium, Barcelona". The Times. London. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  29. ^ http://www.trekiz.com/standardtour-9771-20411/Camp-Nou-Experience-%28FC-Barcelona%29.html

Bibliography

  • Ball, Phill (2003). Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football. WSC Books Limited. ISBN 0-9540134-6-8.
  • Eaude, Michael (2008). Catalonia: a cultural history. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-532797-7.
  • Farred, Grant (2008). Long distance love: a passion for football. Temple University Press. ISBN 1-59213-374-6.
  • Murray, Bill; Murray, William J. (1998). The world's game: a history of soccer. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 0-252-06718-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Snyder, John (2001). Soccer's most wanted: the top 10 book of clumsy keepers, clever crosses, and outlandish oddities. Brassey's. ISBN 1-57488-365-8.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Camp Nou.
Events and tenants
Preceded by Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
Final Venue
1964 		Succeeded by
Preceded by UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
Final Venue
1972 		Succeeded by
Preceded by UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
Final Venue
1982 		Succeeded by
Preceded by European Cup
Final Venue
1989 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Summer Olympics
Football Men's Finals (Camp Nou)
1992 		Succeeded by
Preceded by UEFA Champions League
Final Venue
1999 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Camp_Nou&oldid=631311625"