Top 14 eyes Camp Nou's 105,000-capacity stadium for 2028 semi-finals

France’s Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) is in discussions over using FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou as the venue for the 2028 Top 14 semi-finals, with the goal of breaking rugby’s all-time attendance records at the 105,000-capacity stadium.

According to French outlet La Dépêche, ongoing renovation works at Camp Nou — not due to finish until September 2027 — will force the LNR to relocate next year’s Top 14 final to an alternative ground. Barcelona remains a realistic option for the 2028 semi-finals once the expanded stadium is operational.

Camp Nou is no stranger to Top 14 rugby. The ground previously hosted a final between RC Toulon and Racing 92, drawing 99,100 spectators as the Parisians claimed a sixth Bouclier de Brennus. The LNR has also taken semi-finals abroad before, with San Sebastián’s Anoeta selling out for both matches when it hosted Stade Toulousain v Racing 92 and Stade Rochelais v Union Bordeaux Bègles on the same weekend.

The ambition to fill Camp Nou is underpinned by the league’s current momentum. The Top 14 is averaging 16,000 fans per game, with clubs such as Stade Rochelais selling out their entire season-ticket allocation before a ball is kicked. The world record for a paying rugby attendance stands at 109,874, set in 2020 when New Zealand defeated Australia 39-35 at Stadium Australia in Sydney — a figure the LNR would be targeting.

In the shorter term, the 2026 Top 14 final is confirmed for the Stade de France, which hosted last season’s decider between Stade Toulousain and Union Bordeaux Bègles in front of 78,000 supporters.

This season’s semi-finals are set for 20-21 June at Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome. Stade Toulousain and Montpellier have already secured their places in the last four, while Section Paloise, Stade Français, Racing 92, Union Bordeaux Bègles and Clermont Auvergne are competing for the remaining two spots with one round of the regular season still to play.