The Spotify Camp Nou, a fortress and economic engine: how Barça will triple VIP offerings
/ Valentí Enrich
Barcelona is preparing for a historic night. The Spotify Camp Nou will be dressed up for the Clásico between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, a decisive match that could tip the La Liga title. If Hansi Flick’s team wins or draws, they would be crowned league champions, and for the first time, in front of their biggest rivals.
The anticipation matches the occasion, and the revenue expected by the club for such a special date is remarkable. This will also be the first Clásico hosted at the stadium in three years. Currently, the stadium can only hold 62,000 people—an impressive preview of what it could become when fully completed with a capacity for 100,000 spectators.
Ticket sales have been a huge success. The stadium will be completely sold out. In terms of revenue, the club will surpass last season’s record of €13.9 million. The total amount will reach €16.2 million, as confirmed by Manel del Río, CEO of FC Barcelona, on LaLiga EA Sports’ microphones.
“With that small percentage not allocated to members, we have achieved a historic revenue record of over €16 million, compared to €13.9 million last year,” revealed Manel del Río.
A boost at the end of the season
In last season’s Clásico, the average ticket price was €554, and revenue from VIP seats alone reached nearly €4.3 million, with an average price of €3,370. With a capacity of 62,652 fans, Barça achieved a full house for Sunday’s match.
Ticket prices varied by area: €499 for Corner 2 Upper, €599 for Corner 1, €749 for Lateral 2 Lower, and €799 for Tribune 1.
Any income is welcome, and this will serve as a cushion for the club as it works to balance its books and move closer to the famous ‘1×1 rule.’ The board led by Joan Laporta aims to reach €1.075 billion this season. After reaching the Champions League quarter-finals, Copa del Rey semi-finals, Super Cup, and with La Liga within reach, they will at least approach that goal.
This is how the Spotify Camp Nou looks just days before the Clásico between Barça and Real Madrid
/ SPORT
Manel del Río, a team player
Del Río joined Barça in September 2022 as the second-in-command to Maribel Meléndez, the club’s former corporate general director. He took over a position that had been vacant since February 2022, when Ferran Reverter resigned, and which had been temporarily covered by Ferran Olivé, Maribel Meléndez, and Del Río himself, who previously served as financial director and corporate director.
With a strong academic background, he holds a degree in International Business from the University of Nottingham, a business diploma from Peking University, and a master’s in International Administration from Esade. “He has excellent English, which allows him to negotiate on equal terms, such as with Goldman Sachs. Communicatively, he is very cultured and well-prepared. He has been able to adapt his language to different audiences, which is not easy. He negotiated with American banks in very technical English and later explained it in a didactic way to journalists or club senators,” say sources at the club about Del Río.
The Barça CEO is also noted for his discretion, teamwork, and sense of responsibility. “He is very discreet with confidential matters, something the president surely values. He is very thoughtful and cautious in his actions. Even if he has a different opinion, he accepts the decision as his own and defends the club’s interests. He knows how to work as a team.”
Del Río joined Barça after working for six years at Roya.
