On September 24, 1957, a crowd of 90,000 gathered to celebrate the opening of the new arena for FC Barcelona, the famed Catalonian soccer club. Officially named Estadi del FC Barcelona, the fans elected to call it Camp Nou (“new ground”), and as the fans rule in Barcelona, they got their way. Camp Nou has hosted audiences in excess of 120,000 and is the central building in a complex that serves to cultivate and support the team which, as is emblazoned in huge yellow letters among the blue seats at the stadium, is “Mes que un club” (“More than a club”).
On that day when Barcelona players first knocked the ball around the grass of Camp Nou, the whole of Catalonia celebrated. Delegations representing all the soccer clubs in Catalonia were presented while the governor and mayor of Barcelona watched from the club president’s private box. Following a catholic mass and an official blessing of the stadium by an Archbishop, a choir sang the chorus of Handel’s Hallelujah. In the final bit of ceremony before the game started, the stadium anthem was performed, which had been written specifically to honor not the team or the region, but the stadium itself.
Like the team, Camp Nou is a focal point for Catalonian sports pride. It doesn’t hurt that FC Barcelona is one of the most decorated teams not just in Spain, but in the world. They have won their league over 20 times, and in 2009 became the only club in Europe to win the sextuple: six different Spanish, European, and worldwide competitions all in one year. Their success stems from their unique academy system, La Masia, where 300 students from the region and around the world are schooled academically and in soccer. This academy has produced much of the Barcelona first team, but also stars scattered around the world. In 2010, the three top candidates for the World Player of the Year honor had all come through La Masia and played for FC Barcelona.
Camp Nou is also the official home ground for the Catalonian national team. While it is not an independent nation, Catalonia convenes a soccer team and plays friendlies against international sides, often performing quite well. Given its size and the fact that these are all infrequent and low stakes matches, Catalonia regularly impresses by defeating strong international teams including Argentina, Honduras, and Costa Rica. They play these games more as a point of Catalonian pride than anything else as there is no international recognition of their record. Without Camp Nou and FC Barcelona’s success, it is likely that the Catalonian national team wouldn’t exist, as many of Catalonia's best players come up through the FC Barcelona system.
Today, Camp Nou stands as the largest stadium in Europe, even after having its capacity reduced by adding VIP boxes and removing standing room. Even when soccer isn't being played it draws 1.2 million visitors a year just to see the FC Barcelona Museum, which houses relics from team history, their impressive and expansive trophy collection, and the jerseys of players past including Diego Maradona, Thierry Henry, and Ronaldinho. For a region intent on independence and obsessed with soccer, the storied history of FC Barcelona is massively important. Camp Nou serves as a focal point for Catalonia, where the region displays itself to the world through unmatched fan support and world-class soccer.
