UEFA has picked Camp Nou for the 2029 Champions League final, following a major renovation that expands the stadium to 105,000 seats. This will be the first final at Camp Nou since 1999 and its third overall.
UEFA has awarded the 2029 Champions League final to Camp Nou, choosing Barcelona's stadium over Wembley for Europe's top club match. The decision comes as Camp Nou nears the end of a major renovation that will increase its capacity to 105,000 seats, making it one of the largest football venues in Europe.
UEFA cited the expanded capacity and updated facilities as key reasons for selecting Camp Nou instead of Wembley. For FC Barcelona, the announcement is a major endorsement of its redevelopment project, which has required the team to play home games at Montjuic during construction. The final is set for June 2, 2029, following a decision by UEFA's Executive Committee on September 15, 2026. Reuters and other outlets confirm that the stadium's modernization and increased size were decisive factors in its selection.
"The 2029 Champions League final at Spotify Camp Nou is officially set for June 2, 2029, as confirmed by FC Barcelona and UEFA."
— FC Barcelona
This will be the first Champions League final at Camp Nou since 1999, when Manchester United beat Bayern Munich. The only other final at the stadium was in 1989, with Milan facing Steaua Bucharest. The 2029 match will be the first major international fixture at the renovated stadium. UEFA expects all construction to finish by the end of the 2028 season. As Reuters notes, this will be Camp Nou's third time hosting the final, and it comes just a year before Spain co-hosts the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Portugal and Morocco.
The renovation is set to change the matchday experience at Camp Nou. With 105,000 seats, the stadium will surpass most European rivals, which helped tip UEFA's decision. Munich Football Arena will host the 2028 final, and this season's final is scheduled for Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid—the second time Atlético de Madrid's stadium has been chosen since 2019. Reuters reports that this rotation of venues is part of UEFA's plan to spread major finals across top European stadiums in the coming years.
The decision also reflects ongoing investment in Spain's sports infrastructure. Recent years have seen upgrades to stadiums and a focus on safety, a trend highlighted by other news, such as recent incidents that have drawn attention to public venue standards in Catalonia.
"Independent reports indicate that the Camp Nou renovation, including the expansion to 105,000 seats, is expected to be completed in the early months of 2028, allowing for test matches well ahead of the 2029 final."
— Barca Universal
UEFA's choice is a bet on Barcelona's ability to deliver a major event in a newly updated stadium. The move rewards the city's investment in its football infrastructure and puts Camp Nou back among Europe's top venues for finals. With the renovation nearly finished, Barcelona is set to host one of football's biggest nights again, and UEFA's decision highlights the importance of modern stadiums in securing major sporting events.
