New Delhi: Barcelona and Real Madrid are the two biggest names in Spanish football and ‘El Clasico’ is the biggest fixture that happens in the country. With the prestige these two sides hold and the gravitas of this rivalry, watching the game live in the stadium is an experience for any set of fans in the world. We have already witnessed two El Clasicos this season with Barcelona emerging victorious in both.
Real Madrid hosted the first league clash in October and Barcelona are due to host the reverse fixture in May. However, the Blaugrana are facing an unusual and potentially disruptive stadium dilemma in the final weeks of the 2024/25 season, which could even see them play their iconic El Clásico fixture at Wembley Stadium in London. Why is it though that the May 11 2025 fixture could be played in London rather than in Barcelona? Let’s dive in to find out!
Barcelona’s Temporary Home Faces Scheduling Conflicts
Since the summer of 2023, Barcelona has been playing home games at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys due to the ongoing renovation of Camp Nou. The initial plan was for the club to return to their legendary stadium by the end of 2024, but construction delays have forced them to continue using the Olympic Stadium into 2025. However, Barcelona’s contract for Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys expires in April 2025, and extending their stay is complicated due to pre-planned events.
One major issue is that the venue will host Rolling Stones concerts on May 10 and 15, right in the middle of the crucial final weeks of the La Liga season. This directly impacts their scheduled home matches against Real Madrid on May 11 and Villarreal on May 18. If Barcelona advances to the Champions League semi-finals, they could also require a home venue for that high-stakes fixture.
According to a survey conducted by Diario SPORT, Barça fans would like the Wembley Stadium to hold the League Clasico against Real Madrid if the Spotify Camp Nou is not ready. pic.twitter.com/dIOKppkUr1
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 27, 2025
With their temporary home at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys becoming unavailable and Camp Nou still under renovation, the club is scrambling for a solution. Faced with these scheduling conflicts, Barcelona’s board recently met to discuss possible alternatives, including hosting games at a neutral or even international venue. One surprising option being considered is Wembley Stadium in London, which has been identified as a ‘wild card’ solution.
While playing a La Liga match on foreign soil would be unprecedented, the Spanish football authorities might be open to the idea. La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have already explored overseas expansion efforts in recent years. In December 2024, Barcelona’s league fixture against Atletico Madrid was initially planned to be played in Miami, though it was ultimately canceled due to third-party complications.
Potential Backlash over moving El Clasico to Wembley
Wembley itself is no stranger to hosting overseas sporting events. It has been a venue for NFL regular-season games since 2007 and continues to stage multiple games per year. The stadium also holds a significant place in football history, making it an appealing marketing tool for La Liga as it seeks to rival the Premier League’s international appeal. A Barcelona vs. Real Madrid clash at Wembley would undoubtedly generate massive global attention.
Despite the potential commercial advantages of playing El Clásico in London, the move could alienate many of Barcelona’s match-going supporters. The club has already faced criticism from fan groups over its treatment of season ticket holders. A recent decision to bar some fans from attending games due to unpaid fines has sparked outrage, with four supporter groups issuing a joint statement accusing the club of prioritizing financial interests over its core fanbase. “This is not about fines we don’t want to pay; there is much more in the background,” read a statement from Espai d’Animació.
❗Some options for Barça to play El Clasico ‘at home’ in May if the Spotify Camp Nou is not ready by then:
– Wembley
– Chase Stadium (Miami)
– Riyadh/Yeda (Saudi Arabia)
– Girona’s stadium
– Espanyol’s stadium
– Metropolitano
– Sánchez Pizjuan
– Marseille’s stadium
– Lyon’s… pic.twitter.com/5Ociw4jW7p— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) January 24, 2025
“The club is removing the atmosphere, filling the stadium with tourists, introducing gimmicks like the ‘kiss cam,’ and taking big decisions without transparency or consultation.” These concerns highlight a growing divide between Barcelona’s management and its traditional supporters, with many believing that the club is being run more like a business than a community-driven institution. Hosting a marquee fixture like El Clásico in London would only reinforce this perception and could further alienate the club’s most loyal fans.
With time running out, Barcelona needs to finalize an alternative stadium plan soon. While Wembley remains a possibility, other options within Spain may also be considered. The club could negotiate an extension at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys despite the logistical challenges or look for another stadium in Catalonia or elsewhere in Spain to host their final home games.
The biggest match in Spain could be making it’s way to England’s most iconic stadium, the Wembley in May of this year but why are the two biggest rivals in Spanish football heading to London? Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
