Barcelona clear final hurdle in bid to host 2028-29 Champions League final at Camp Nou

Barcelona have secured Spanish Government approval to bid for the 2028-29 Champions League final at Spotify Camp Nou, removing the last domestic hurdle before the club submits its formal application to UEFA by 10 June. The club had already obtained backing from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), making this the final sign-off required.

It would be the first Champions League final held at the ground since 1999, when Manchester United beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in one of the most dramatic finishes in the competition’s history — a gap of 27 years by the time the 2028-29 edition takes place.

If the bid succeeds, Spain would host two of the next three Champions League finals. UEFA confirmed in September that Atlético Madrid’s Riyadh Air Metropolitano will stage the 2026-27 showpiece, meaning a Barcelona award would give the country back-to-back hosting rights within a three-year window.

From a financial standpoint, landing the final would carry significant weight for the club. Barcelona continue to manage the economic fallout from years of heavy spending, and the revenue generated by hosting a Champions League final at their own stadium would represent a meaningful contribution to their recovery.

The timing also aligns with the club’s ongoing Espai Barça redevelopment. The third tier of the stadium is expected to be completed within the next 12 months, with the roof installation scheduled to follow and projected to be finished by summer 2028 at the latest — leaving a comfortable margin before the final would be played.

Once UEFA receives all bids, a decision is expected to be announced in September. Barcelona are considered strong contenders, though Wembley Stadium is also reported to be preparing a rival bid.