The president of FC Barcelona responds to members, fans and investors. He assures that the Spotify Camp Nou will be a reality in November 2024 with a capacity of 70% and insists that the financing operation includes the new Palau Blaugrana.
Is it impressive to see the Camp Nou dismantled?
You feel very nostalgic when you see that there is no grass or that the third tier is being demolished. But at the same time you feel hope. You perceive that something important is being built. A legacy for our sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters. A collective dream of Barcelona.
And at least until November 2024 it’s time to play in Montjuïc…
Next year will not be easy. We moved to a stadium that has half the capacity of the Camp Nou. This will result in reduced revenue but we are working to offset this.
How are they going to make up for it?
Looking for more sponsors. As I said before, the budget we have for next year in sponsorships is already 95% covered. And we will be able to get more income.
What kind of sponsors?
Well, for example, a lot of work is being done with the women’s Barça because after winning the Champions League it is an attractive team for investors and sponsors.
Do you already know where the women’s Barça will play the Champions League matches?
In Montjuïc we have some limitations set by the Barcelona City Council. There are many acts and concerts planned and it will be very difficult to fit your parties there. But I think they deserve to continue playing the Champions League in stadiums with a higher capacity than Johan Cruyff. That is why we will propose that they play on an itinerant basis in some stadiums in Catalonia.
To date, 15,000 members have requested a pass out of the 27,000 reserved for them. Are you disappointed in the answer?
Going up to the Montjuïc stadium is uncomfortable. Although it doesn’t seem like that to me.
Why does it cost then?
We all have an established routine in our lives. We also associate Montjuïc with going to concerts. At the moment there are 15,000 registered. Now we have opened a turn for partners in general. I am optimistic. I think we will reach 27,000.
The departure of Jordi Llauradó, an expert manager in the world of construction, was surprising…
There are more members of the board of directors who know the world of construction, perhaps from different angles than Mr. Llauradó, but well prepared. We respect Jordi Llauradó’s decision, he told us that he was leaving because he could not dedicate enough time to him and because of his professional activity he could find some incompatibility.
Will there be consequences for Limak if he doesn’t return to the Camp Nou in November 2024?
We will return with 70% of the safe capacity. With the FCB Botiga, the museum and a large part of the VIP seats ready. But if it doesn’t happen there will be economic consequences for Limak. The strongest is that of 1 million euros per day of delay. But it won’t happen. They work at a very good pace and always meet the deadlines of their works. It is one of his strengths.
The group of partners that expressed their doubts affirms that the new Palau Blaugrana is not included in the financing, as was stated in the assembly.
Everyone was very excited about the Palau theme, but we are going to do it for less than 200 million euros and it will have 16,000 seats. It will be a different and optimal Palau for there to be an important activity in terms of events and concerts. I can assure you that it falls within the financing operation of 1,500 million euros that also includes the Camp Nou, the small Palau, the bus station and the Barça Campus.
Does the Palau depend on not having 200 million euros of spending on contingencies?
No, the other way around. I think we are going to reduce the budget for the stadium and for contingencies, in fact it is already happening. We are very much on top of being able to cut the 1,100 million that was said. I think we are going to be at 960 million and maybe 930 if all goes well. And I think the Palau will not reach 200 million. I say this because it must be taken into account that we signed flexible interest rates in some sections of the operation. This means that we can change those interests depending on whether the market gives us better prices.
Then you won’t need another travel companion to build the Palau…
Not because it won’t be necessary. Enter the proposed budget. At most we can reach an agreement with a company to exploit it but it will continue to be the property of the club and it will be paid for its services without giving up anything.
If there are changes, will you take them to the assembly?
The partner will be promptly informed of everything. And if there are changes in what has been agreed, obviously I will submit them to the decision of the assembly.
