Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys: Barcelona’s Temp Home Guide
When Camp Nou went quiet for renovations in mid-2023, FC Barcelona didn’t search for just any backup venue. The club moved into Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Montjuïc hill—a stadium with nearly a century of history and half the seating capacity of their usual home. Nearly two years later, Barcelona returned to Camp Nou on November 22, 2025, with a 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, but the Montjuïc chapter isn’t entirely closed. Here’s what you need to know about Barcelona’s temporary home, from ownership to logistics.
Capacity: 55,926 seats · Location: Barcelona, Spain · Olympic Use: 1992 Summer Olympics · Original Build: 1929 · Current Tenant: FC Barcelona (temporary)
Quick snapshot
- Capacity: 50,000–55,926 (ESPN)
- Built 1929, renovated 1992 (StadiumDB.com)
- Owned by Barcelona City Council (ESPN)
- FC Barcelona played here 2023–2025 (ESPN)
- Whether Barcelona returns to Montjuïc in 2027 during roof phase
- Exact post-renovation operational capacity at Camp Nou
- 1929: Built for International Exhibition
- 1992: Olympic renovation
- 2023–2025: Barcelona’s temporary home
- November 2025: Return to Camp Nou
- Camp Nou full completion: late 2027
- Roof phase requires 4 months stadium inactivity
- Barcelona may shift back to Montjuïc for early 2027–28 season
Six key figures define this stadium’s role in Barcelona’s near-term future:
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 55,926 (67,007 in 1992) |
| Location | Montjuïc hill, Barcelona |
| Pitch Size | 105 × 68 metres |
| Owner | Barcelona City Council |
| National Ranking | 6th largest stadium in Spain |
| Historical Role | 1992 Olympic athletics venue |
Why is Barcelona playing at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys?
The move stems from the Espai Barça project—Barcelona’s massive overhaul of Camp Nou that closed the stadium for approximately two years starting in 2023. Preliminary work began in summer 2022 with demolition of the upper tier of the southern stand, and the main contractor entered the site in June 2023 (StadiumDB.com). The 50,000-seat capacity at Estadi Olímpic represents roughly half of Camp Nou’s original 100,000-seat footprint.
FC Barcelona relocated for the 2023/24 season while construction crews worked on the new stadium structure. Joan Laporta, the club president, confirmed that main structural work—including seating bowls and facades—is scheduled to finish by end of 2026, with roof installation following in 2027 (YouTube – Camp Nou Update). The roof phase requires four months of complete stadium inactivity for safety reasons, during which Barcelona may return to Montjuïc for the early 2027–28 season (Goal.com).
Camp Nou renovation timeline
The renovation has progressed through several key phases since 2022:
- Summer 2022: Preliminary works and demolition begin
- June 2023: Main contractor enters site
- 2023–2024: FC Barcelona relocates to Estadi Olímpic
- November 2025: Return to Camp Nou
Temporary move details
Only 17,552 of 27,000 available season tickets sold for Estadi Olímpic, compared to 80,274 season ticket holders at Camp Nou the previous season (ESPN). The club spent €3.3 million on additional matchday transport to the Montjuïc venue, while the city council invested €2.5 million to minimize neighborhood impact.
Montjuïc’s hilltop location forces Barcelona into a difficult atmosphere trade-off: coach Xavi Hernandez warned that the Olympic stadium “lacks home advantage feel,” and the council had to spend millions just to maintain comparable neighborhood conditions.
Which club owns Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys?
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys is not owned by any football club. Barcelona City Council holds ownership, and the stadium operates as a municipal facility open to various tenants and events.
Ownership structure
The city council leases the stadium to FC Barcelona during their temporary residency, with the agreement extending to the end of the 2024/25 season. The arrangement differs sharply from Camp Nou, which the club owns outright.
Management by Barcelona City Council
Barcelona has used the stadium for major events since the 1992 Olympics, and the council maintains operational control. Previously, rivals RCD Espanyol called Estadi Olímpic home from 1997 to 2009 (Football Ground Guide).
Will Camp Nou be open in 2026?
Barcelona returned to Camp Nou on November 22, 2025, defeating Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in their first home match back (Football Ground Guide). However, this was a partial return—full stadium completion is not expected until late 2027.
Current status
The Espai Barça project remains in active phases. Joan Laporta confirmed main structural work on Camp Nou—including seating bowls and facades—to finish by end of 2026, with roof work scheduled for 2027.
Expected return date
Initial plans called for a Camp Nou return before November 29, 2024 (the club’s 125th anniversary), but multiple delays pushed the reopening back. The September 2025 return date was set in April 2025 due to material and labor shortages, replacing a March 2025 target that was itself pushed back from earlier schedules due to pitch issues (Football Ground Guide).
The 2027 roof phase may force another Montjuïc stint: Goal.com reports Barcelona could return to Estadi Olímpic for the early 2027–28 season while roof installation renders Camp Nou inactive for four months.
What happened to Lluís Companys?
Lluís Companys was a Catalan politician who served as president of the Generalitat de Catalunya. He was captured by Franco’s regime after the Spanish Civil War and executed by firing squad in 1940—the only president of an autonomous Catalan government to be executed in modern Spanish history.
Biography overview
Companys was a lawyer and politician who rose to lead Catalonia during the Second Republic. His commitment to Catalan independence and leftist politics made him a target during Franco’s rise. After the civil war ended, he fled to France but was eventually handed over to Franco’s authorities and tried in Barcelona.
Stadium naming reason
After the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the stadium was renamed Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in his honor—a deliberate choice to memorialize a figure representing Catalan identity and resistance. The renaming acknowledged both his role as a Catalan president and his tragic fate.
How to get to Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
The stadium sits atop Montjuïc hill, less accessible than Camp Nou’s central Les Corts location. However, multiple transit options serve the venue for matchday crowds.
Public transport options
- Metro: Line L3 (green) stops at Espanya station, a short walk from the stadium
- Bus: Multiple bus routes (55, 13, 150) connect to the Montjuïc area
- FGC: Train services to Espanya station
Address and directions
The stadium address is Avinguda del Stadium, 08038 Barcelona. From Espanya station, follow signs toward Montjuïc and the Olympic Ring. Walking time from the metro is approximately 15 minutes uphill.
Nearby hotels
Hotels near Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys cluster around the Montjuïc area and Plaça Espanya. Options range from budget accommodations near the Fira Barcelona convention center to mid-range hotels with Olympic Ring views.
The comparison below illustrates how the temporary Montjuïc venue stacks against Barcelona’s permanent home:
| Stadium Specification | Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys | Camp Nou (post-renovation) |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 50,000–55,926 | 105,000 |
| Location | Montjuïc hill | Les Corts, central |
| Ownership | Barcelona City Council | FC Barcelona |
| Year Built | 1929 | 1957 |
| Pitch Size | 105 × 68m | 105 × 68m |
| Roof | Yes, partial | Full (2027) |
Key Dates at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
These milestones trace the stadium’s evolution from exhibition venue to Olympic landmark to Barcelona’s temporary home:
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1929 | Built for International Exhibition |
| 1992 | Renovated for Summer Olympics |
| 1997–2009 | Home of RCD Espanyol |
| 2023–2025 | FC Barcelona temporary home during Camp Nou works |
| November 22, 2025 | Barcelona returns to Camp Nou |
The implication: Barcelona’s Montjuïc residency is a parenthesis, not a permanent chapter—the club’s identity remains tied to Camp Nou, and the temporary venue’s limitations only sharpen awareness of what’s being rebuilt.
Confirmed
- Capacity 50,000–55,926 (ESPN)
- 1929 origin
- City Council ownership
- Return to Camp Nou November 2025
- Espai Barça full completion late 2027
Unclear
- Exact 2027 Camp Nou return date
- Whether Montjuïc stint recurs for roof phase
Xavi Hernandez, Coach:
“It won’t be easy. They will need supporters more than ever to help avoid losing home advantage.”
FC Barcelona Club Statement:
“Income generated by the new Camp Nou forecast to be around €247 million per year.”
Joan Laporta, President:
Official timeline confirms late 2027 completion for the Espai Barça project.
For Barcelona fans weighing the next chapter: skip the Montjuïc logistics question and watch the roof phase timeline instead. If the 2027 deadline holds, this stadium becomes a historical footnote. If delays stack again, expect another season shuttling between hills.
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As outlined in a Finnish historical overview, the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys opened in 1929 and became the iconic heart of Barcelona’s 1992 Olympics on Montjuïc.
Frequently asked questions
What is the address of Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys?
The stadium is located at Avinguda del Stadium, 08038 Barcelona, Spain.
What is the seating plan for Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys?
The stadium features three tiers of seating around a central pitch. Capacity stands at approximately 50,000 to 55,926, with seats distributed across lower, middle, and upper tiers.
What is the pitch size of Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys?
The pitch measures 105 metres by 68 metres, matching standard UEFA dimensions for top-tier football.
What are reviews like for Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys?
Visitors note the scenic Montjuïc location and historic atmosphere, but criticize accessibility compared to central Barcelona venues and reduced capacity relative to Camp Nou.
In which country is Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys?
The stadium is in Spain, specifically in Barcelona, Catalonia.
What hotels are near Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys?
Hotels cluster around Plaça Espanya and the Montjuïc area, with options ranging from budget to mid-range. The Fira Barcelona convention center area offers additional accommodation choices.
How far is Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys to Camp Nou?
The two stadiums are roughly 3 kilometres apart. Camp Nou sits in Les Corts while Estadi Olímpic crowns Montjuïc hill south of the city center.
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