El Clasico 2023: why aren’t Barcelona playing at Camp Nou?

For the first time since the 1950s, Barcelona are to host El Clásico at a ground other than their traditional Camp Nou home stadium.

Montjuïc’s maiden Clásico

Xavi Hernández’s men take on arch rivals Real Madrid today at their temporary home, the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, as the club carries out comprehensive renovation works on the Camp Nou. It is the first time that the Estadi Olímpic, located on the Montjuïc hill in Barcelona, has been the venue for El Clásico.

Before this weekend, Barça had only ever played home Clásicos at the Campo de la Calle Industria (the club’s stadium between 1909 and 1922), Les Corts (1922 to 1957) and the Camp Nou (1957 onwards).

How long will Barcelona be away from Camp Nou?

After work on the new Camp Nou began earlier this year, Barça moved to Montjuïc at the start of this season. The Spanish champions are planning to return to the Camp Nou in November 2024 - coinciding with the club’s 125th anniversary celebrations - although the stadium revamp won’t be finished by then.

The new Camp Nou, which has been designed by the Japanese company Nikken Sekkei, is scheduled for completion in 2026. Nikken Sekkei is working with the local architects Pascual i Ausió Arquitectes.

Built at a cost of €900 million, the redeveloped stadium will have an increased capacity of 105,000, and is part of the €1.5 billion Espai Barça project, which aims to renovate not only the arena itself, but its surrounding area.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid: when, where, how to watch

Barcelona host Real Madrid on matchday 11 of the 2023/24 LaLiga season today, Saturday 28 October 2023. Kick-off at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys is scheduled for 10:15am ET/7:15am PT.

ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes have the US broadcast rights to El Clásico, which you can watch on the online platform fuboTV.

Watch a live stream of El Clásico on fuboTV, which offers a free trial

Video - New stage for old rivals in El Clásico: