Barcelona’s Camp Nou has become the leading candidate to host the 2029 Champions League final, with UEFA reportedly favouring the stadium over Wembley.
The decision is expected to be made at a meeting of UEFA’s Executive Committee on 15 September in Thessaloniki, Greece. According to Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Camp Nou is currently the preferred option as European football’s governing body considers the competing bids.
The stadium’s ongoing redevelopment is not regarded as an obstacle by UEFA, despite construction work meaning the project will not yet be fully complete. The prospect of staging a European final in front of 104,600 supporters is considered a major attraction for the organisation.
Camp Nou’s capacity and status as one of football’s most recognisable venues are central to Barcelona’s bid. The stadium has hosted the European Cup or Champions League final twice.
In 1989, Milan defeated Steaua Bucuresti 4-0 at Camp Nou. Ten years later, Manchester United came from behind to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the 1999 final at the same stadium.
Barcelona’s proposal is supported by Barcelona City Council, the Government of Catalonia, the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Spanish government. That backing has strengthened the club’s position in its contest with Wembley, which remains the principal rival to host the 2029 showpiece.
UEFA is understood to have detailed knowledge of the redevelopment plans and does not consider the unfinished work a reason to reject the application. The project includes the installation of the stadium roof next summer.
The governing body has also increased the number of visits to the construction site as it assesses the progress of the redevelopment. Those inspections are intended to help UEFA approve Camp Nou’s return to the Champions League in December 2025.
A final decision on the 2029 venue will follow the Executive Committee meeting in September. Until then, Camp Nou appears to hold the advantage in a competition that places it against Wembley, one of Europe’s most established final venues.
The choice would mark another major stage in the return of Barcelona’s historic home after its redevelopment. A final attended by more than 100,000 fans would offer UEFA the kind of large-scale occasion that has helped make Camp Nou a strong contender, even while parts of the stadium project remain under construction.
The story has also prompted wider discussion among football supporters, with the subject and related news available for further debate on Kooora forums.
