Barcelona Spectator Sports

For the record, the lunatics covered from head to toe in red and blue stripes didn’t just escape from an asylum—they are F.C. Barcelona (Barça) fans. A visit to Camp Nou, home of FCB, can be compared to a religious experience for many fans. The team, commonly referred to as El Barça, has the motto of “més que un club” (more than a club), and it’s easy to see why. El Barça is a symbol of Catalunya and its proud people, and the team carries the political agendas of the entire region (see More than a Rivalry). The club has a devoted worldwide following, and boasts more than 100,000 members. Even the Pope, while visiting Barcelona in 1982, signed the membership book and became an honorary member. The FCB also has teams in several other sports—including basketball, rugby, and roller hockey—that play in other buildings in the Camp Nou complex, which includes basketball courts, a mini-stadium and the Palau Blaugrana (Blue-Burgundy Palace).

Camp Nou, on C. Aristides Maillol. Collblanc. Head down C. Francese Layret and take the 2nd right onto Trav. de les Corts. A block later, turn left onto C. Aristides Maillol, which leads to the ticket office and museum entrance (see Sights & Museums, p. 114). ☎93 496 36 00; www.fcbarcelona.com. Tickets available for all club sport events. Ticket office open Sept.-June M-F (and the day before matches) 9:30am-1:30pm and 3:30-6pm; July-Aug. 8am-2:30pm.

Getting Tickets

Inaugurated in 1957, Camp Nou stadium was expanded in 1982 to hold 120,000 for the World Cup, and is today Europe’s largest fútbol ground. However, getting tickets to a Barça match is not always easy; hardcore FCB fans already have tickets, leaving slim pickings for visitors. Matches usually take place on Sunday evenings at 9pm, and the bigger the match, the harder it is to get in. Entradas (tickets) are available at the ticket office and usually go on sale to the public the Thursday before the match. A number of scalpers also try to unload tickets for copious amounts of cash in the days before the match. At the ticket office, expect to pay €30-60, and bring your binoculars, as most available seats are on the third level. The seats may be in the nosebleed section, but even at that height, any Barça match is an incredible experience. The cheap seats offer a bird’s eye view of the action and gorgeous views of the mountains of Tibidabo and Montjuïc. Even if you can’t tell which player scored the goal, you’ll have just as much fun celebrating it with 70,000 newfound friends.

Bullfighting

Catalunya is not the stronghold of bullfighting in Spain; bullfights will typically not sell out and will be dominated by tourists.

Plaça de Toros Monumental, Gran Via de les Corts Catalans, 743 (☎93 245 58 02; www.torosbarcelona.com). Monumental. Built in 1915 by Ignasi i Morell, the bullring is one of the few prominent buildings in the city that draws overtly from Arabic architectural influences; it is a rare touch of Andalucía in Catalunya. The corrida (bullfighting) season runs Apr.-Sept., with fights every Su at 7pm. Tickets (€18-95) may be purchased at the bullring; ticket window open M-Sa 11am-2pm and 4-8pm; Su 11am-1pm. Tourist visits to the bull ring are also permitted during those hours; adults €4, children €3. Tickets may also be purchased at C. Muntanter, 24 (☎93 453 38 21; fax 93 451 69 98). Cash only.